644 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [178] 



simply be removed from the ponds from time to time. Before using the 

 mud from ponds as a fertilizer the i)oud cultivator should have it care- 

 fully analyzed. 



(5) Different hinds of (jrain or planta. — To sow the i)Ouds at certain 

 jieriods with dilferent kiuds of grain or other useful plants does not 

 only add to the income of the j^ond cultivator, but it will also have a 

 very beneficial effect on the growth of the fish, and can, therefore, not 

 be recommended too strongly. 



XII. — The Supervision of the Ponds. 



A careful and constant supervision should be exercised over the 

 ponds, as the results of pond culture will, to a great extent, depend 

 thereon. The sui)ervisiou of the i)onds should be intrusted to a faith- 

 ful, reliable, energetic, and thoroughly experienced jnan, who generally 

 takes the title of "fish master" or "pond master." According to the 

 extent of the jtond farm he should have a number, more or less large, 

 of assistants, called "superintendents of })onds," to each of whom a 

 certain i)()nd area is assigned, the i)ond master alone having the general 

 supervision. Even if he does not take part in the manual labor con- 

 nected with a ])ond farm, he should be everywhere and give his direc- 

 tions ; nothing should escape his attention, and he should regulate and 

 strictly sui)ervise the work of the pond superintendents, who must 

 make regular reports to him, and receive their orders from him. The 

 l)ond master, as well as the i)ond superintendents, should frequently 

 walk around the i)onds ; if their extent is not too great this should be 

 done every day. In these daily rounds he must give his attention to 

 everything Avhich may be helpful or hurtful to pond <;ulture, more espe- 

 cially to the height of the water, the condition of the dikes, the influx 

 and outflow, and the grates ; he should also ascertain whether traps 

 have been set in places where this would be likely. Early in spring 

 the dikes and other constructions should uiidergo a careful examina- 

 tion before the ponds are stocked with fish. If it is found that the dike 

 leaks in any place, the necessary repairs must be made at once. The 

 grates must also be examined, and, if necessary, rei)aired. They should 

 at all times be kept free from grass, wood, and anything which may stop 

 them up. AV'heu the thaws set in, in spriug, even greater vigilance 

 should be exercised so 5is to prevent any i>ossible danger by inunda- 

 tions. For this purpose the ditches carrying oif the superfluous Avater 

 should always be ke])t open, and be cleaned at once if there is any in- 

 dication of their becoming stopped up. Those ponds which during 

 winter have been over-full of water should in spring be reduced to their 

 normal depth ; and the spawning ponds and raising ponds which have 

 lain dry, after they have been examined carefully, and any pike which 

 may have remained in them have been removed, should be filled Avith . 

 water. In those i)onds which have been laid dry, and which are 

 to be sowed, the ditches must be repaired and cleaned, and the small 



