AMERICAN CATFISHES. 33 



instances by the speckled catfish, according to the report, casts a 

 sliadow of doubt over those particular cases. Others undoubtedly 

 refer to the spotted catfish. The most satisfactory results appear to 

 have been reached with the "speckled cat." 



It may be of interest to quote from some of these letters. 



A letter received February 4, 1907, from Lumpkin, Ga., says re- 

 garding fish sent out in 1903 ( ?) : 



The fish received was the spotted catfish. They were i^ut in a pond of about 2 J 

 acres and from 1 to 8 feet deep. The fish that survived grew and did well. They 

 did not thrive [multiply?] well on account of turtles. The water was from a clear 

 branch but ran through hilly lands and was constantly muddy on account of rains. 

 I did not give the pond the necessary attention, yet there was a nice lot of fish caught 

 from it. There were in the pond also what is known here as a mud cat, not a very 

 desirable fish. 1 thought that perhaps they preyed on the others when small. Upon 

 the whole I think they were adapted to the water and would have done better if I had 

 drawn the pond and cleared it of turtles, mud cats, etc. But the pond was a railroad 

 fill, and I could not draw it off. Yet for the chance they had I believe the fish did 

 very well, and had I been able to clean out the pond I could have made it a success. 



From Pomona, Ga., regarding fish that were planted in a pond at 

 that place: 



I have seen very few of the speckled catfish in the past two years although I have 

 watched for them, and am inclined to think they have been destroyed by black bass. 

 I have caught quite a number of the old ones during the past year, weighing from 1 

 to 2 pounds. 



From Sparta, Ga., a letter received December 2, 1907, replies 

 regarding 1903 (?) fish placed in a pond: 



The speckled catfish seem to increase very fast — faster than any other fish in the 

 pond. Am well pleased with them. 



An enthusiastic letter dated January 3, 1908, was received from 

 Heard, Ala., regarding fish planted in a pond in that vicinity: 



In reply to your inquiry regarding the speckled catfish: There has been a wonder- 

 ful growth of them and it seems as though my pond is a fine place for them. I have 

 fish to eat all through the fishing season. I have not stocked my pond with any 

 other kinds, but others, such as warmouth perch and mud catfish, have come in. 



In 1905 I saw a school of young speckled catfish in my pond, the growth of which 

 was surprising to behold. I feed my fish with bread, scraps of beef, and pulp, and 

 catch them in a basket that I use to feed them in. I caught in one basket at one 

 time 14 jjounds of speckled catfish. I am doing everything in my power to get my 

 neighbors to build ponds and raise their own fish at home with a very small cost to 

 them. I consider that my pond has paid me well for time and expense. The bottom 

 of the pond is of moss and sand and there is a pure, never failing stream. In some 

 places the water is 10 feet deep, with lots of moss, grass and cat-tails growing in it. 



Another letter from Georgia, dated February 1, 1908, says: 



In reply to your inquiry, I beg to say that the speckled catfish received of you in 

 1902 have succeeded beyond my expectations. I had them placed in a small arti- 

 ficial pond supplied entirely by spring water, and, with virtually no care, they have 

 multiplied rapidly and grown wonderfully under the circumstances. 



I consider the speckled catfish by far the best variety of fish for small ponds to be 

 obtained, as they are thrifty growers, with a flavor equal to any. 



