[69] 



CARP-CtJLtURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 



321. Statement of Edward SI abler, Sandy Sprhifjs, Monltiomcri/ Co.. Md., June ;i() lss:\. 



Disposition of carp received.— My poud coutains sonio J of an acre. The Kup- 

 ply of water passes tbroiigb a 4-inch pipe, which near tlu- outlet or <haiiiin" IroiiL'h 

 connects with a per])endicniar iron pipe, at the toji of wliich the watn- is disclian'iMl 

 Durino- Hoods the water is conducted around the pond. The pond i.s lined with boards 

 for lOU yards or more, niakin<? it proof aj^ainst rats and craw-tish. 'Jlu- carp weii'bed 

 from 4 to f of a pound when they were received, April 1, 1882. 



Enemies. — I now have plenty of sport shootinj;, in cutting off turtles' beads with 

 explosive shells. I have killed several dozen in this way, and some very lar<'o (mes 

 say 12 incbes in diiimeter. I learned from an ac(iuaintance, who lias some large carp' 

 that in draining his ])ond he found the tails of some of bis large lish bitten olV, n(') 

 doubt by large turtles, which were seen there. On account of my freiiuent sboot ing 

 at the pond, the renuiiuing turtles have become almost as wild as wild turkey.s 

 scarcely showing more than the nose above the water, and for a moment only; but it 

 is enough if I can see the head a few seconds, as the shell explodes on striking the 

 water, kills them, and iu about 3(5 hours t«hey tloat on the surface and c.-iu be taken 

 out. 



I was much surprised recently when, in setting a hook with meat-bait to catch the 

 turtles — they are frequently taken iu this way — I caught several eels of about 2 or 

 more feet in length. They could only have entered through the ingress pi[)(^ 3 or 

 tVmr years ago, when of a linger's length, and through wire gauze having a ^ inch 

 mesh. They have grown almost as rapidly as the cai'p. As soon as my lisb have 

 done spawning I will let olf the water and clean out turtles, eels, snakes, and all. 

 Now that I have the lish and am keeping them so successfully, I do not intend that 

 depredators shall have the beneht. 



Food. — I fed them pretty regularly last summer, and they now come up of them- 

 selves to be fed. 



Growth. — Last September I took 3 or 4, weighing quite 3 pounds apiece, which I 

 returned to the water; and a few days ago, June 28, 1883, I took out a o-ponnder, but 

 did not kill this one either. It was 20 inches long and 8 inches broad, and apjieared 

 to have from a gill to i pint of spawn in it. I have seen no young bsh as yet. 



322. Statement of Asa M. Stabler, Spenccrvillc, Montgoviery Co., Md., Aug. 29,1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 50 in April, 1882. The pond in wbieh 

 I have kept them is about .'jO by 120 feet in size, and would average 2^ feet deep. It 

 has a hard clay bottom. The water comes, at the rate of alnnit 2 gallons a minute, 

 from a marsh which abounds with springs. The temperature of the water is ab(jut 

 40° at this season of the year. 



Plants and enemies. — The pond contains no other fish, and very little vegetation. 



Food. — I give the carp bread occasionally. They have been neglected, in conse- 

 quence of the pond being too far from the house. 



Growth.— I suppose that there are 30 or 40 of the original lot left. They are about 

 12 inches long. 



Difficulties. — I think that the hard clay bottom and the scarcity of water j)lants 

 have been the greatest difficulty. I expect to make a more suitable pond, and would 

 like to get young carp to stock it. 



323. Statement of Jiohert M. Stabler, Spencerville, Montgomery Co., Md.,Aug. 11, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received .50 carp about 2^ years since. I have 

 kept them in a poud about 60 by 70 feet large, with a depth of from 4 inches to 2^ 

 feet. The bottom is composed mostly of mud. Water flows into it from two good 

 springs 200 yards distant. 



Plants. — There is no vegetation in it except the grass which is connnon iu wet 

 ground. 



Enemies. — It contains no other fish. One turtle has been killed, and also several 

 water-snakes. 



*\)OD. — I give the carp bread and corn, but not as often oh they shonld have it, 

 owing to th(^ pond l)(>ing so far from the house. 



Growth. — I think I now have about 30 of the originallot. They are very small- 

 will not weigh over one-half a pound. 



Eeproductiox. — I have not seen any young ones in my pond. My brother's pond, 

 which is close by, and which contains carp of the same age av mine, has a great many 

 young in it. 



DiFFicfLTiES. — My principal difliculty has been^he great distance wliich the i)oiid 

 is from the house. I do not think the raising of carp will amount to much about here, 

 unless we have good large ponds near the house so that they may be]iroperly .ittciided 

 to. 



