()()0 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2] 



'Repkoductiox. — They have produced a great multitndo of youug ; I have no meaus 

 ■of knowing how many. 



Distribution of young. — I sold some at from $5 toSlO per hundred, and have eaten 

 some. 



Miscellaneous. — I did not know until the receipt of your circular that there 

 were other varieties of carp. I should be pleased to get a few of each kind, as I am 

 building other ponds and intend to make carp-culture a business. 



3. Statement of W. X. Reeves, Eufaula, Barbour Co., Ala., Aug. 20, 1883. 



Disposition of carp keceived.— About three and a half years ago I received 20 

 carp and have received some since. I keep them in two ponds ; one covering half an 

 ■acre and the otlior 2| acres. The bottom is muddy and the average depth is !"> feet. 

 Water flows into the small pond from three springs — say 4 square inches; into the 

 large one through a tlume of about lU square inches. My plantations are under the 

 care of my agents, who have not time to give enough attention to the carp. 



Plants. — The ])onds contain wild grass and some water-lilies. 



Enemies. — Tlie largo one has in it catfish, l)uU-frogs, and other animals; also small 

 turtles. There are none but carp in the small pond. 



Food. — The lish are seldom fed at all. They are occasionally given fresh meat ; 

 sometimes baked dough. 



Growth. — Mine at the end of (> months had grown from the size sent me to 8 and 

 12 inches long. At tliat time my dam broke. I saw and measured but did not lose 

 them. They were all in the pond ; none had di<^d or been lost. Some seem to be 18 

 inclies long now. I can't.catch them. I tried with hook and line and can't get them. 

 Only caught two — 12 aud 18 inches long. 



Miscellaneous. — So far as my information goes they will do finely here aud be of 

 great value to our ])eople if j)roi)erly tak(Mi care of. ^ly i)urpose is to drain olT my 

 larger pond, free it of everj'thing hut carj), and give them a fair trial. 1 wish our 

 people could be induced — those that live on their fainus — to give them a fair trial. 

 They will doubtless thrive and do admirably in this section. 



4. Statemetii of J', II. Coleman, Union Sprimjn, Ihillock Co., Ala., July 23, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 20 carp three years ago, all of which 

 got away. In December, 1881, I bought 25 scale carp of Mr. Wright, of Georgia. I 

 placed tlKjm in a pond 7.'') by 100 feet, with a muddy bottom, wliich is fed by cool 

 .^^liring water at the rate of two gallons to the minute. 



Pl.\nts and enemies. — It contains Bermuda grass and a few bull-frogs. 



Food.— The fish are fed once every day with garden truck, table scrap, boiled 

 corn and peas. 



Growth. — The old ones nearly all .survive, and weigh almost 2 pounds each. I am 

 }»artial to the scale carp. 



Reproduction. — They had a few young ones last summer. This summer there are 

 any quantity. 



Difficulties. — I think the pond is too small and too deep. 



Miscellaneous. — I am surprised that every housekeeper does not raise carp. I am 

 satisfied they will do well iu almost any Southern waters. As to their being a game 

 fish, there is nothing in our waters that equals them. 



5. Statement of Jus. H. Savage, Cross Plains, Calhoun Co., Ala., Dec. 26, 1882. 



Growth. — About February last I received 23 small carp, 7 of which were dead, 

 having been in the hands of the express company four or five days. They all sickened 

 and died except one as soon as we got them into fresh water. I kept that one in a 40 

 by 40 pool of fresh water, and it now weighs IJ pounds. 



6. Statement of William I. Dunn, Scpnlga, Conecuh Co., Ala.,Julij 30, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 20 carj) in January, 1882. The pond 

 in which I placed them is 20 feet square, has a very muddy bottom, and is furnished 

 with tolerably cool spring water; the quantity is not large. 



Plants. — It contains native grasses, but no water plants, aud has grass and trees 

 growing around it. 



Enemies. — Small creek fish occur in the pond and some frogs and turtles. 



Food. — I give them bread aud scraps from the table once in three days. 



Growth. — I do not know whether they have spawned or not. They were 8 inches 

 iu length eight mouths ago, since which time I have not seen them ou account of the 

 juurkiness of the water. 



