THE CARP AND ITS CULTURE. 8U7 



lake-like ponds, surrounded by enormous dams which are overgrown with 

 oak-trees 100 to 300 years old, series of three and more of these lakes 

 being not uncommon, then we can form some idea as to the remuner- 

 ativeness of these establishments, particularly in Bohemia. 



The standard establishment with regard to the most extensive busi- 

 ness transactions is found in Austria. The Prince of Schwarzenberg, 

 of whom I have spoken previously, possesses more than 250 ponds of 

 large size, the smallest having about 10 acres, the largest 2,000 acres 

 water extent. 



We find many villages where ponds of 50 to 200 and more acres are 

 maintained at the expense of the community. 



9. — THE TABLE QUALITIES. 



If the carp were a fish of inferior quality, like the buffalo-fish, for in- 

 stance, its sale would doubtless be limited to the sea-port towns of 

 Northern Germany and the principal cities of Central Europe, as Vienna, 

 Berlin, and Paris. In the latter city, in spite of an abundant supj)ly of 

 salt-water and diflFerent kinds of fresh-water fish, the carp is ever pre- 

 ferred to these, and, with the exception of trout and salmon, it frequently 

 commands a price three times as high as that of all the rest. 



I maintain my assertion that the carp, whether it be scale, mirror, or 

 leather carp, is one of the most excellent fresh-water fishes, and its in- 

 troduction will be of great value in point of national economy, especially 

 on account of the facility of its culture and the enormous extent to 

 which this may be carried on. 



The carp and its value as a fish of culture will before long be fully 

 appreciated, so that we may be enabled favorably to compare the re- 

 sults of its culture in America, as also the extent attained to, with any 

 other country, to our complete satisfaction. 



57 



