STATEMENT OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN CARP-CULTURE. 



[Arranged alphabetically by States, couutiea, auil post-offices.] 



ALABAMA. 



1. Statement of H. M. Hunter, Eufaula, Barhour Vo., Ala., Apnl 7 and Sejjt. 17, 1882. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 20 small carp, from 2 to 3 inches long, 

 about December 20, 1881. My pond is from 8 to 40 inches deep, and is supplied with 

 water from a number of fine, bold, clear and cold sprinj^s. It has a sandy bottom, 

 and covers about one-half an acre, and is surrounded by ditches and an embankment 

 of sand. The surplus water flows through a plank trough, which keeps the water of 

 uniform temperature and depth. 



Plants. — My pond is well-nigh filled with a long, tender, green and moss-like 

 grass or growth, resembling purslain, though tender, and another kind, jointed, send- 

 ing out roots at the joints, also delicate. These plants protect the fish from their bird 

 enemies and make it more diflQcult for man to capture them, as the fish pass through 

 these growths with ease and freedom. They protect the eggs, and also regulate tbo 

 temjierature of the water. Turtles may have an advantage in catching the fish in 

 and about the bunches. 



Enemies. — I know of a few snakes, oue large and one small turtle, and 3 large bull- 

 frogs in my pond. I have killed 8 fish-hawks and 4 white cranes. I exannned the 

 intestines of a small white crane that visited my pond, but I fouiul nothing reseml)ling, 

 in the most remote degree, fish, tadpoles, or anything else save a quantity of fine 

 black mud. I find my lish are much more shy than formerly. 



Food. — I fed my fish regularly upon corn-bread twice a day until July last — six 

 months after I received them. Since then I have fed them irregularly, and many days 

 have given them no food at all. They seem careless in eating, and 1 never drcanied 

 that fish could be made to grow as fast as my fish have. I am satisfied that they 

 draw liberally from the natural products of the pond. The long, fine, tender fibers 

 of moss also afford them some nutriment. 



Growth. — April 7, 1882, I saw a dead carp in the edge of the water of my pond 

 that was 9 inches from the tip of its tail to the end of its nose and was 2f inches at 

 its greatest width. My sou saw a carp which he says apjx.'ared to be fully as large as 

 the dead one. The growth of the fish from 3 to S) inches in length and 2| inches at 

 its greatest breadth is truly remarkable, especially when we consider that the carp 

 have been iu the pond only about 4 months, aud winter months at that, duiiug which 

 carp in the North are hibernating and not growing at all. Only 2 of the carp were 3 

 inches long when received ; the other 18 did not average over 2^ inches. The fish that 

 remain iu the pond now (September 17, 1H82,) average no less th&n 20 inches iu 

 length. I do not see more than 10 carp at any one time. 



Miscellaneous. — The dead carp had 4 wounds on its side and abdomen, having 

 the appearance of being bitten by a snuill dog. 



The grasses seem not to grow food for fish, but they seem to serve as a lodgment 

 for certain food upon which the carp feed and do well. They can also hover under 

 these grasses aud partake of the food and protection unmolested. 



2. Statement of H. I. Irhij, Eufaula, Barhour Co., Ala., Aug. 8, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 32 carp in December, 1880. The ]ion(( 

 is one-fourth of an acre large aud 7 feet deep, with a muddy bottom. It is furnished 

 with water by springs which rise in and around it, and yield barely enough to supply 

 the waste by evaporation. 



Plants. — It contains the native bog-plants of the country. 



Enemies. — There are bull-frogs and mud- turtles in it. 



Food. — I feed them with bread and truck from the garden — not regularly; only 

 enough to keep them gentle. 



Growth.— I fried one of the old ones and one died; so I have 30 left. They are 

 about 20 inches long; I do not know the weight. The young ones are about 15 inclies 

 long. 



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