686 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [28] 



119. Statement of J. R. Ellin, Griffin, Spaldituj Co., Ga., April 3, 1883. 



Growth. — A carp that was placed in Mills's pond 2 years ago, and escaped when 

 the pond broke, was canght yesterday in Pitts's pond, 4 miles below this place, and 

 fonnd to weigli 1.^^ ponuds. A scale from the fish measures If by 1 inch, and is in the 

 possession of Captain Hartnett. 



120. Statement of Abel A. Wright, Griffin, Spalding Co., Ga., Jul>i 23, 1883. 



Disposition' ok carp rkceived. — In 1879 I received 14 carp alive out of 200 that 

 had been sent me from California. I have since received 22 through the State com- 

 missioner and 23 direct from Washington. My i>ond covers about 1 acre, is 8 feet in 

 deepest part, with a bottom of black nnid and alluvial deposit. The water is brought 

 from a. spring 1,0(10 feet distant in a pipe 4f inches square. In addition there is a bold 

 spring in the pond. The water is 70"' on the surface; 80*-' in midsnmmer. 



Plaxt.^. — The ])ond contains Victoria refjia, Xumpha'a odorata, Xiimphwafava, Nipn- 

 phwn alba, N!implia:a (or Nni)har) advciia, Nelumbiiim hiteiim, Xehimbiiim .speviosiim, sev- 

 eral Ivinds o{ I'oiiicdcria, various terns, mosses, rush, marsh grass, Bermuda grass and 

 other grasses, waumpce, water oats, and ('alamnn acorii>i. In the spawning season all 

 k-nds of aquatic plants, 15crmuda grass, all kinds of rush, water grasses, regular marsh 

 grasses, and all ferns and mosses are useful. Weei»ing-willo\v roots also are tine for 

 them to deposit their eggs on. Cat-tails are a nuisance. 



Enkmiks. — 1 kill all the frogs, terrapins, turtles, and water-snakes. The frogs eat 

 carp, toads, and small frogs of their kind. I have killed frogs containing carp (> inches 

 long, and water-snakes containing carp '^ to 10 incli(!s long. The most serious dith- 

 culty en(;ountered is to kt-ep these injurious animals, as Avell as the kingiishers, bit- 

 terns, cranes, herons, and lish-hawks, killed oti', to prevent their destroying the young. 



Food. — I feed th(>- carp with wheat, pumi)kins, and s(iuashes, uncooked; boiled 

 corn, sweet ]>otatoes, bread of all kinds, stale baker's bread, damaged crackers, let- 

 tuce, cabbage, and table refuse. They also feed on the seeds and tender roots and 

 shoots of the at|uati(" plants. 



(iKowTii. — I have cauglit carp weighing 10:^^ l)Ounds, and have had large (Uies break 

 No. J hooks and eight-day-clock cord. I have seen those that looked to be 30 inches 

 or more long and a foot wide. This season's hatching are fronj f of an inch to 5 inches 

 long. 



Reproduction. — They have produced young by millions. It is impossible to tell 

 how many. They have done better this year than ever before. The old ones are still 

 spawning, while last year they spawned (ill frost chilled the water. I am satisfied 

 car)) spawn at 12 months old, and not at 24 months, as in Europe. Our waters are 

 warmer. I know a geiitleuinii in Atlanta that had one-year-old carp and goldfish 

 together, and they mated and hatched young at that age. 1 liave seen one-year-old 

 carj) in my jiond siiawning, have removed the eggs, and liatched tliein in a bottle of 

 water set in the sun in March. 



Siin'MEXT OF YouxG CARP. — I have sent young cai'i> to Pennsylvania, Virginia, 

 North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, 

 Florida, and all over Georgia. 



llow TO CATCH CARP.— i catcli carp with hook and line. They bite greedily at 

 grub worms, Hat heads, mush or dough, and cotton. 



121. Statement of Solicitor-General C. B. Hudson, Americus, Sumter Co., Ga. 



Growth. — I let the water out of my pond a few days ago and caught a carj) 18 

 months old, which luade a meal lor three families. All of the carj) averaged from 10 

 to 1.") jtounds each. 



122. Statement of A. D. Jiates, Thomasrille, Thomas Co., Ga., Xor. 2, 1881. 



])isposrriox of c.vrp iieceia'^ed. — The 12 carp, measuring from 2 to 3 inches, re- 

 ceived two years ago, I jmt in a small, muddy pond, about 40 bj' 60 yards, and 6 feet 

 decqi. 



Plaxts. — The ])oi)d is surrounded by weeds and shrnlibery. 



ExK."MiES. — No other lish than carj) live in the ]>ond. 



Guowrii. — As I did not know whether the carp Averc alive or nor, I dnnv off the 

 water tVoiii the pond this afternoon. I realized results which exceeded even my most 

 sanguine (expectations, having found 8 of the original carp which were 25 inches long 

 and weighed 7J jjounds each. 



Keproijuctiox. — It seems that the original carp spawned in the springs of 1880 

 and 1881, as the young are of two sizes, and (i and 18 months old. I obtained 100 

 young, averaging 1 pound in weight. 



