732 EEPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [74] 



injured, so we cooked and ate them and found them very good. The 4 we let go 

 again. They were full of spawn. 



Stkeaws stocked. — In September, 1882, our dam was washed out and we lost all 

 our fish. We found many young in the stream after the washing away of the dam. 

 The stream from our pond runs into the Great Choptank, about 2 miles distant. 



337. Statement of W. W. Tunis cf Bro., Tunis' Mills, Talhot Co., Md., July 31, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — We received 80 carp in the fall of 1881, and ICO 

 more in the fall of 1882, 60 of which we let go in the river. Wo have kept the others 

 in a pond which covers i of an acre, is 2 feet deep in the middle, and has a very soit 

 bottom. A small amount of spring water flows through it, and, in heavy rains, a 

 large amount of rain water. 



Plants. — Various plants and weeds, such as grow in this section, are found in the 

 pond. 



Enemies. — There are no other fish in it. The carp have driven out the frogs, wo 

 presume by eating the eggs. 



Food. — We give them ho food whatever. We think they eat the eggs or young. 

 They bite at worms for bait. 



Growth and keproductiox. — The first lot are now from 15 to 18 inches long ; those 

 put in last fall are from 8 to 10 inches. There were 37 of the original ones last fall. 

 We have not seen them since exceijt as they jump out of the water. We don't think 

 they have grown much. They i»roduced no young last year. We have not examined 

 this year, but we do not believe thej' will have any j'oung ones, as we do not feed 

 them or give them any care. 



How TO catch carp. — Yesterday our boys caught 3 with hooks, in a few minutes, 

 9 inches long. They could have caught more, as the fish were biting fsist. 



338. Statement of John E. Hopkins, Wye Mills, Talhot Co., Md.,Auy. 11, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — About a year ago 18 carp were put into our mill- 

 pond, bat since then the dam broke. Thi; pond is over a mile long and from 100 to 

 200 yards wide, with a sandy and muddy bottom. Enough water flows through it to 

 drive a large grist-mill. The tempeiaturc varies with the season. 



Plants. — Tliere are plenty of all kinds of grasses around its shores. 



Enemies. — The pond contained catfish, bnll-frogs, suapping-turtles, and terrapin, 

 all of which were lost when our dam broke, leaving now a good clear pond for fish- 

 culture. We would like to have some more carp. 



339. Statewcnt of Jacoh Dick, Beaver Creek, Washinyton Co., Md., July 28,188',^. 



Disposition of carp receh^ed. — I received .50 carp in March, 1881. I put them 

 in a pond 25 feet wide, 35 feet long, and 4 feet deep, with a muddy bottom. There 

 is about water enough to keep it at that depth, or deeper if I want it. 



Plants and enemies. — It contains peppermint and water-cresses. There are no 

 other fish, frogs, or turtles in it. Tlie snakes and kingfishers, however, destroyed all 

 the carp except one during the first summer. 



Food. — When I got the carp I fed them twice a week with corn-meal and worms. 



Miscellaneous. — I will send after some more. I think they will do well if I can 

 get them started. 



340. Statement of D. H. Newcomer, Benevola, Washington Co., Md., Aug. 3, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — 1 received 75 leather carp two years ago and 90 

 scale carp a year ago. I have kept them in a pond 80 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 4 

 feet deep, gradually diminishing to 6 inches deep at the head or spring. The shal- 

 low part is gravelly and the deep part loamy. Fi-om 50 to 100 barrels of very cold 

 limestone water flow through it in a day. I think soft spring water would be better 

 ada])ted to the growth of the fish. I intend to enlarge my pond, which will put it 

 farther from the head spring. I think they will then "do better. 



Plants. — I put into the pond some water-cress, which grows winter and summer 

 and forms a good protection to the fish. It grows on top and the roots do not extend 

 to the bottom. 



Enemies. — There are some few common suckers in the pond and some frogs, which 

 I do not think will be of any injury. I have much trouble in keeping out musk-rats. 



Food. — I feed them with bread.but not at regular times; once a week, upon an 

 average. I know that they would not eat much more if they had it. 



Growth. — About 40 of the first lot are still left. They are not uniform in size, but 

 the largest are about the size of ordinary shad. The one-year olds are 4 inches long. 

 The last young are very small. I think'my carj^ would grow faster in soft water. 



