518 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [52] 



wooden fouudatioii another cross-beam is laid, d e, in wliich the bars are 

 inserted. The upper one of these two cross-beams is firmly joined to 

 the side posts. The space in front and back of the foundation is filled 

 with clay, which is rammed down firmly and smoothed on the top. On 

 both sides of the posts a wooden wall,/</, is placed. The beams form- 

 ing the foundation are on a level with the bottom of the ditch, while 

 the wooden wall has about the same height as the average level of the 

 water. Several feet above the surface of the water a cross-beam, h i, 

 connects the two posts. The space between the foundation and this 

 cross-beam is occupied by vertical bars which are inserted in holes in 

 the crossbeam and in the foundation."* It will be found exceedingly 

 practical to have two such grates meet at an angle, so that they eau 

 better resist the pressure of the water, and let more water pass through. 

 Wherever the pressure of the water is not very strong a simple grate 

 will suffice. 



III. — Filling the tond with water. 



After the pond has been constructed in the manner described above, 

 and after the dike has been allowed to dry and become firm, the pond 

 can be filled with water. In filling a i)ond two questions have to be 

 considered, viz. : 1. How is it to be filled? and 2. At what time ! 



1. How FILLED. — When the pond is to be filled, all the exits have 

 to be closed up, tlie taj)s are firmly driven into their jilaces, and the 

 tap-pole is screwed to the cross-beam. All crevices round the tap are 

 carefully stopped up with moss or clay, so that there is no possibility 

 that the water can enter the pipes. Earth may also be piled uj) round 

 the tap, and rammed down firmly, but if the tap is short, the place 

 should be marked, so that it can easily be found when the pond is to be 

 drained. At the stand-pipes the little boards are placed in their 

 grooves and screwed to them. If it is noticed that, in spite of all pre- 

 cautions, water ooi.es through in some place, it will be necessary to con- 

 struct a dam of earth and sod round the place ; for even if the quantity 

 of water which oozes out is very small in the beginning, such places 

 will gradually widen and do great damage to the dike and the pond, 

 by decreasing the water at a time perhaps when every droj) is needed. 

 This case is particularly liable to happen in carp ponds which remain 

 stocked for two or three years. All these i)recautionary measures 

 should be taken before the jiond is filled, and some little time should 

 be allowed to pass, so the work may become firm. After all this has 

 been done, the places where the water enters are thrown open, and the 

 desired quantity of water is let in. 



2. When filled. — The usual times for filling ponds are spring and 

 autumn. It will depend on the use to which the i^ond is to be put after 

 the fisheries have come to an end, which of these two seasons is to be 

 selected. If the pond is to be stocked with fish before winter sets in, 



* Delias, Teichwirthschaft, p. 87. 



