20 FISH PONDS ON FARMS. 
however, it may be supplemented by meat or, preferably, coarse 
fish, which should be cut in pieces small enough to be readily swal- 
lowed. Wild stock will refuse to accept this food until near the 
starvation point. Some will never do it, but the majority show such 
greediness for the substitute food, after having once tasted it, that 
they will follow the attendant about the pond whenever he appears. 
Fresh livers and hearts are the materials most commonly used 
where a meat diet is employed, being the cheapest good materials 
obtainable; fresh fish is a more natural food, however. If the 
farmer is located within a reasonable distance of a fish market, ar- 
rangements can usually be made for regular deliveries of species 
having little or no commercial value, such as are incidentally taken 
by the fishermen in seining. If the magnitude of the operations will 
warrant, it is advisable to devote one pond to the propagation of carp 
for the sole purpose of producing food for the game fishes. Carp 
feed on vegetation and large numbers of them may be reared on a 
farm at little expense. 
The amount of food required must be governed by the appetite 
of the fish. They should be given all they show eagerness for once 
a day. During the nesting season and the cold months practically 
no food is required, but especial care should be taken to feed them 
well both before and after the spawning period. 
Crappie can rarely be taught to take artificial food, but fortu- 
nately it is seldom necessary to feed them or the Dressers of other 
small species adapted to pond culture—the sunfishes and the rock 
bass. Catfish quickly learn the lesson and will consume with avidity 
raw or cooked meats, vegetables, and even hard grains. 
DISEASES. 
There are no diseases of pond fishes that can be successfully com- 
bated by artificial means. A well-fed fish is usually a healthy fish, 
whereas thin specimens are wanting in resistance to their habitual 
parasites and can not readily recover from external injuries. If they 
are fed well on as nearly appropriate foods as can be secured and 
are carried in ponds of natural characteristics, sickness will be of 
rare occurrence. 
STOCKING PONDS WITH BROOD FISH. 
The most successful and the speediest results in pond culture are 
attainable by the use of adult fish for the original brood stock. These 
can in most cases be secured from the public waters of the immediate 
locality during the open season prescribed by the State laws. 
It is such a common failing to want something new and strange 
that many prospective fish-culturists endeavor to procure some species 
