61)0 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [32] 



Gkowtu. — The pond was seined j esterday, and among the fish taken was a raaguiti- 

 cent speeinieu of carp about 2 years old, and which measured 17 inches in length and 

 weij^lied i) pounds and 3 ounces. The others were returned to the water. 



E])ii?Li': QUALITIES. — The officers of the Highland Park Association gave their first 

 annual lish dinner yesterday, and after the chowder and fried fish had been discussed 

 Ihe t-arp was brought on. It was elegantly served, and every person who had the 

 good fortune to be present pronounced it superior to any of the native fish prepared 

 for the occasion. When taken from the water the gills were of a deep red color, 

 differing materiallj^ from the color of any of our native fish, and the meat was of a 

 rich gold shade, very hard and firm, being quite similar to the salmon. 



134. Statement of C. G. Clinking, rrinceton, Bureau Co., Ill, Oct. 0, 1882. 



Gkowtu. — The carp, which were placed in a pond from 5 to 6 feet decj) and suj)- 

 l»lied by spring water, have grown to be from 10 to 12 inches long, and weigh about 

 1| jiounds each. 



135. Statement of W. G. Delashmxitt, Martinsville, Clark Co., III., Juhj 23, 1883. 



Disposition OF CARP KECEiVEU. — I received 8 fish alive in May, 1881, and placed 

 them iu a pond covering 5 acres, with a muddy bottom ; water from 2 to 15 feet deep. 



Enemies. — The pond also contains catfish and sun-fish, but no plants. I have not 

 fed the fish. 



Difficulties. — The size of the pond and its depth has thus far ])revented us from 

 knowing how the fish are doing. The bottom of the pond being filled with stumps, 

 we cannot use a seine. 



136. Statement of John Bean Caton, Chicago, Cook Co., III., Sept. 17, 1884. 



Disposition of carp. — I ])laced the carp received 2 years ago in a y)ond 10 miles 

 northwest of Joliet, Will Co., 111. The pond is 300 feet in diameter, excavated to a 

 dei)th of from 5 to 6 feet, in stony blm^ clay. It is supplied with water from an arte- 

 sian well, from a de])tb of 148 feet, at a tem])erature of 07°. The supjily of wat(;r nnist 

 average from 80 to 'JO gallons per minute, and is plainly impregnated with sulphur and 

 iron, but is good for domestic use. 



Plants. — There is no shade in the pond as yet. 



Food. — The carp are fed with vegetable food, but I fear not always abundantly. 



Growth. — But 2 of the carp have been taken, and they were found to weigh about 

 4 pounds. 



Reproduction. — The young fish seem to be abundant. They more frequently ap- 

 pear on the surface just after sunset, but disappear at the least alarm. They seem to 

 work continually in the clay banks and bottom, so that the water is kept constantly 

 discolored. 



Edirle qualities. — The 2 fish taken were found to be good on the table. 



How to catch carp. — Carp are very shy and <lifificult to cajjture. One was taken 

 on a hook and the other in a net. Quite a number were inclosed in the net, but all 

 but the one jumped over the net and escaped. They seem to be very active. 



137. Statement of H. Hammerschmitt, NapervUle, Du Page Co., 111., Aug. 7, 1882. 



Disposition of carp received. — In the fall of 1880 I received 16 small scale carp 

 and jdaced them in mv i)ond the following sjiring. I also obtained a lot of mirror 

 carp in th<^ fall of 1881." 



Food. — The carp come for their food every evening like chickens. 



Growth. — This summer I found the mirror carp to be from 10 to 12 inches long and 

 the scale fully 18 inches. 



Reproduction. — They also seem to have spawned, as a number of small ones have 

 lately uuide their appearance. 



Difficulties. — Prior to the receipt of the mirror carp 8 of the scale carp were 

 found dead and all the rest kept out of sight. 



138. Statement of W. Thompson, Effingham, Effingham Co., III., Sept. 25, 1882. 



Growth. — I saw a number of my carp yesterday, and they seemed fat and plump 

 and in excellent condition. W^hen I received them last fall they were from 3 to 4 inches 

 long ; now they measure from 12 to 14- inches in length and weigh from 1^ to 2 pounds. 



