f.l^i] POND CULTURE. 597 



(iiigaii poiul faru], where the carp stock j.oiKls contai.i 10 por cunt of 

 ]»ike, r>i)ei-cent of pike-perch are added; and these hsh, which h-tvc 

 been cultivated here for a long time, seem to thrive. Mr Horak the 

 (brmer manao-er of the Wittiiigau pond farm, says : ^'A j-oodlv m.inber 

 of pike-perch is always welcome in the fisheries; if, however, their 

 iiuinber becomes excessive the consequent loss of wei.yht in carp'is not 

 conij)ensated tliereby. The proper proi)ortion between the number of 

 carp an.l pike-perch should therefore not be lost sight of. In a pond 

 with cultivated lish the pike-perch forms an unruly and disturbing ele- 

 ment, and, if in large numbers, becomes injurious to the carp. It does 

 not only Uw on lish, but also on insects and worms, and thus deprives 

 tlie cari) of its food. Its ])rickly tins become sharj) weapons of attack 

 which the carp feav with good reason. As there are no separate spawn' 

 ing ponds for lish of prey, they must be placed in the carp i)omls. 

 l-rom a small stock- of the fry of pike-perch a strong breed of fish can- 

 not be looked for with absolute certainty, although it may sometimes 

 l)e the case. To obtain the necessary (piantity of fry of tlie pike- nerch 

 HI carp ponds it is advisable to put spawning pike perch in these ponds 

 at the time when the carp are ap])roaching their full growth."* 



r>. THE PEli'CH (I'rrca fiiriatilin). 



Horak says, regarding this lish : '-The perch is a good lish, possess- 

 ing delicate llesh and a very hardy nature, but it is a fish of prey which 

 also devours the carp food. In large numbers it becomes dangerous to 

 the carp, and should not be cultivated, but left to shift for itself. Its 

 IMickly tins make it a dangerous companion for the carj), which, espec- 

 ially after thunder-storms, it drives away from the edges of the i)ond, 

 and ilius prevents it from obtaining its necessary food." I have noth- 

 ing to add to Mr. Horak's remarks. 

 i 



6. THE SILURUS. 



The sihirus is a voracious fish of prey, which, like the pike, can be 

 j kept m carp ponds, and which, when it has reached a size which makes 

 I It dangerous for the carp, should be caught. 



7. THE LOACH {CobitinbarbaMa). 

 I As I have never raised loach, and never had an opportunity of ob- 

 I serving loach culture, but at the same time consider it profitable, I 



have to quote from other authors on the subject. According to Delias, 

 I loach are sometimes raised in ditches fed by running water. Their 

 < food consists of excrements and refuse. The loach is a favorite food 

 I fish, and has the advantage that it can be caught all through the sum- 

 I mer when it is difficult to obtain other fish. They may also be raised 



to provide food for trout. The bleak and minnow, however, will an- 

 ' swer the same purpose.t 



" Hinnk, Teiclmirthichaft, IHliK. 

 tPeliua, Teifiliwirff>scha/t,f. 74, 



