[17] ARTIFICIAL FEEDING OF CARP. 1025 



260 grams, it would seem advisable to omit the artificial feeding in the 

 growing-ponds of the second class, because there will then be a greater 

 probability that in these ponds they will reach the weight of 625 grams 

 under natural conditions of food. If this expectation should not be 

 realized one should make up for lost time in the sale-ponds ; but, if it 

 is realized, the expense of feeding the fish has been saved. But, as we 

 have already remarked, a difference of 50 or 60 grams will hardly be 

 I'ecognizable. 



IV. To make the period of raising as short as possible. If artificial 

 feeding is to be introduced for the purpose of shortening the period of 

 raising, which would be impossible under natural conditions, especially 

 in ponds whose natural power of production is not very great, it is im- 

 l)erative that the feeding process should be carried on according to 

 scientific principles ; only in this way will it be possible to feed the fish 

 without heavy expense, and to approximate a certain definite weight. 

 This will apply principally to a three-years' period of raising. 



If the period lasts four years, the feeding process should be so reg- 

 ulated, that — approximately, at least — in the feeding-pond of the first 

 class a weight of 260 grams is reached during the second summer, a 

 weight of 635 grams in the feeding-pond of the second class during 

 the third summer, and a weight of 1,260 grams in the sale-pond. 



One ought, of course, to be satisfied if these weights are only reached 

 ap])roximately. This ought to be self-evident, but I desire to make 

 special mention of it so as to preclude the possibility of making any 

 mistakes; and I would say still further that this does not only apply 

 in certain special cases, but may safely be laid down as a general rule. 



Above everything else, regard should be had in artificial feeding to 

 the laws of natural growth, or rather to the power of growth possessed 

 by carp during the different years of their life, for any violation of the 

 laws of nature will be i^unished sooner or later by nature herself. Even 

 in the artificial regulation of the growth of carp, the laws of nature 

 should be closely observed, 



The natural jiower of growth varies very much during the first year; 

 it is 150 per cent, during the second year, 100 per cent, during the third, 

 50 per cent, during the fourth, and 33^ per cent, during the fifth year. 



I must confine myself to giving these figures, as it would lead us too 

 far to give the reasons therefor; possibly I may be privileged to give 

 them in some future article. 



Feeding should also be adapted to the productiveness of each i^ond, 

 as shown by experience. The food should be adapted to the diflerence 

 between the productiveness and the result aimed at. 



During a three-year's period it will be better to raise the weight of 

 the young fry to 260 grams during the year of birth than to raise the 

 weight to 510 grams during the second year, which weight would have 

 to be reached in order to keep up with the natural power of growth. 



In following the first-mentioned plan, a good deal of food will be 

 S. Mis. 46 65 



