[181] POND CULTURE. G47 



From the beginning- of May llie spawning of the carp sliouhl be 

 watched, and all hurtfnl and distnrbing influences be kept away as nmch 

 as possible. During this period, and later, cattle should not ho allowed 

 to graze near the s))awning ponds; tanieduchs and gvcsc should uotbe 

 suffered on then), and nothing like washing should be done, in them. 

 The frogs should be caught as much as possible, as they devour not 

 only the spawn, but also the young fry. 



In July it can already be seen whether and how much fry there is in 

 the ponds. If the young fry or all the fish belonging to a ])oud farm 

 are to be fed artificially, the i)ond master should see to it that the fish 

 are fed regularly. Care should be taken to keep an equal depth of 

 water at all times. In his rounds the pond master should not neglect 

 'to examine the taps and stand-pii)es, to see whether they have been 

 opened, whether the water flows freely through the grates, or whether 

 it is impeded by an accumulation of grass, mud, &c., which is frecpiently 

 caused by mischievous persons. I have known a case where a miller 

 who could no longer draw the tap, as had been his habit, because a long 

 tai) with a padlock had been substituted for the short one, threw a great 

 quantity of earth and sod into the water near the outflow grate, so as to 

 let the water flow into a pond near his mill, thus causing a continued 

 unequal depth of water in the two ponds. The ditches through which 

 water flows into the ponds should be kept clear all the year round, and 

 this applies particularly to sky ponds. The influx of rain and snow 

 water from neighboring fields and meadows should be favored in every 

 possible way. 



During the hottest months, June and July, the temperature of the 

 water, especially in sky ponds, should be watched incessantly, so as 

 to take proper measures in good time to prevent sickness and death 

 among thi^. fish. During these months, when the water is low, cattle 

 should on no condition be allowed to come near to or cuter the ponds, 

 useful as their presence might otherwise be by the addition to fish-food 

 which their excrements furnish. When the heat is very great, care 

 should be taken to have all the i)onds abundantly supplied with fresh 

 ^vater, unless this supply is regular and constant. 



Inundations. — During rain-storms which may possibly be followed by 

 inuiulations, the necessary precautions shoidd be taken by letting as 

 much as possible of the suijerfluous water flow oft through the ditches 

 intended for this i)nrpose and by opening all the sluices a little. Even 

 while the rain is falling the ditches should be cleared to prevent any 

 accumulation of mud, &c., and the grates should be freed from plants, 

 brushwood, &c., which may have drifted against them. If, iu conse- 

 quence of inundations, a break in the dike appears unavoidable in spite 

 of all precautions, an opening should be made in some jdace where the 

 damage will not be very great. A break in the dike near the outflow is 

 especially to be avoided. After inundations steps should immediatelj^ 

 be taken to gather the fish wliieh have been scattered over the neigh- 



