GG2 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [4] 



Growth. — The old ones are from 14 to 16 inches long and 4 inches thick, and will 

 weigh 2 pounds. The young ones are from a pin's size to 2 inches long. 

 Reproduction. — They have produced a great many young. 



11. Statement of M. WilMns, Faunsdale, Marengo Co., Ala., Juhj 12, 1882. 



Growth. — I received 20 carp, averaging ahout 4 inches in length, and put them in 

 my pond on December 12, 1881. They have done splendidly, the remaining 9 being 

 from li to 2 feet long. 



12. Statement of M. S. Gilmer, Matthews, Montgomery Co., Ala., Aug. 20, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received.— I received carp in 1881, 1882, and 1883. 1 placed 

 them in a pond measuring 20 by 200 feet, with a muddy bottom, which overflows occa- 

 sionally in winter. The water is warm from April to October. There are none of the 

 1881 lot left now, and but G of the 1882 lot. All of those of 1883 (GO) are still left. I 

 have now put all the carp in our creeks, and would like to get as many more this 

 winter as possible. 



Plants. — The pond contains Bermuda grass. 



Ene.mies. — The crawfish in it were a great annoyance, but I have exterminated 

 them. 



Growth. — The carp are all of the same size ; seem not to grow any the second year. 

 They weigh about one pound each. 



13. Statement of H. M. Bush, Montgomery, Montgomery Co., Ala., July 23, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I have received 26 carp. The pond has a sandy 

 bottom, is covered with sediment, and measures 80 feet up to 120 feet. There is water 

 enough to fill a G inch pipe of continuous flow, and it averages G7°. 



Plants. — Water grasses grow around the edge of the ))ou(l. 



Enemies. — It contains bream, red-horse, perch, and some frojjs and turtles. 



Food. — We try to feed the carp daily with corn-bread, slightly baked, and slips of 

 meat. 



Growth. — I should judge there are 20 or more of the original lot that are still alive 

 from the num!)er we see when feeding them. They are from a foot to 16 inches in 

 length. 



Difficulties — We see no young fish wliich seem to be carp. There has been no 

 difficulty with the carj) except that we have not seen them increase as we expected. 

 The fish seem to be livelier this year than heretofore. We have placed brush in the 

 water for the spawn to attach to. 



[Of course there are no young carp when he has so many bream, red-horse, perch, 

 frogs, and turtles to eat all the eggs. — Editor.] 



14. — Statement of J. M. Falkner, Montgomery, Montgomery Co., Ala., Sei)t. 19, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received.— In the fall of 1880 I received 22 carp, and in the 

 fall of 1881, 20 more. I kept the first lot in a small i)ool for about a year, and lost all 

 but 6. The (i remaining, together with a second lot, I put in a small pond forme<l by 

 excavating the earth below a small spring and constructing a dam. It is about 60 feet 

 wide, and the dam is 66 feet from the spring. The supply of water is ahout 3 gallons 

 ])er minute Tlic bottom is a n)ixture of sand and clay, and there is no vegetation in 

 the pond. The pond has an average depth of 3 feet, and the carp keep it muddy all 

 the time. 



Enemies. — The few frogs which have appeared have been killed as soon as possible. 



Food. — The fish have been fed daily with bread, cooked potatoes, cabbage, beans, 

 lettuce, and occasionally with the refuse from dressing poultry. 



Growth. — I think I lo.st but one of those placed in the pond. They will not, in my 

 opinion, average over a ))ound and a half in weight. 



Reproduction. — There are no young ones in the pond, and I have not been able to 

 discover any spawn, though I have placed brush there and everything I thought neces- 

 sary. I attribute their failure to s])awn to the smallness of the pond and to the lack 

 of vegetation. 



Miscellaneous. — I have nearly completed a new ten-acre pond with an abundant 

 supply of water, grass, &c. I shall also prepare several small breeding ponds, so as 

 to hereafter watch their growth and movements more accurately. 



15. Statement of J. J. Sharer, Fine Level, Montgoviery Co., Ala., Aug. 31, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received — I received 20 in December, 1882. The pond in 

 which I placed them covers an area of about three acres, and has a muddj" bottom; 



