746 KEPORT OF COMMiSSiONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. "[88] 



402. Statement of Monroe Pointer, Coma Depot, Panola Co., Miss., Aug. 4, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 20 carp February 20, 1881, and 40 in 

 tlie spring and fall of li-!82. My pond is 50 by 50 feet, 10 feet deep, has a muddy 

 bottom, and supplied with rain water. It contains no plants. 



Enemies. — It contains a few perch. 



Food. — Three times a week I give them wheat and corn ground. 



Growth. — I transferred the old ones, which weighed 7 pounds each, to Dr Caruthers, 

 who has a fine pond 6 miles west of Cyiuo Depot. 



Reproduction. — They have produced any quantity of young, which are now of 

 various sizes and weights. 



403. Statement of John Ohletjer, Brandon, Eankin Co., Miss., Aug. 29, 1683. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 11 carp nearly 3 years ago, and have 

 had a few twice since. My pond is 140 feet long, from 12 to 30 feet wide, and 5 feet 

 deep, with clay bottom. It is supplied by a small spring, which gets very low in sum- 

 mer. It never freezes. 



Plants. — The pond is surrounded by water grass, Bermuda grass, and willow 

 bushes. 



Enemies. — There are no other fish, but a few turtles, some snakes, and a great 

 mauy frogs. 



Food. — I give them bread, crackers, and some vegetables once or twice a week. 



Growth and reproduction. — I caught some a few months ago that weighed about 

 a pound. The young ones are very small. 



404. Statement of W. M. Thornton, Lake, Scott Co., Miss., July 28, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 16 carp November 23, 1880. My pond 

 covers f of un acre, is 8 feet dcej), and has a very muddy bottom. It is dependent on 

 rain for water, which gets quite warm in summer — 65° to 75°. 



Plants. — It contains water-lilies, wihl rice, and water grasses. 



Enemies. — There are sun-fish, craw-fish, frogs, toads, but no turtles. I fear I have 

 but i6\f spawn this season on account of the craw-fish. 



Food. — I give them daily corn-bread, soft corn, and vegetable refuse from the 

 garden. 



Growth. — There are 15 from 20 to 25 inches long, which would weigh from 7 to 10 

 pounds each. 



Reproduction. — There were hundreds, and may be thousands, of young produced 

 in 1882, which are dow from 7 to 10 inches long. In May we ate some of them fried and 

 they were excellent. 



Difficulties.— The only diflSculty is the craw-fish. 



405. Statement of F. M. Norfleet, Senatobia, Tate Co., Miss., Nov. 24,1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — About January 1, 1881, 1 received 19 carp. My 

 pond is about 40 by 60 yards, with a depth of from 2 to 4 feet, and a bottom covered 

 with a muddy black deposit and washings from the horse lot. The rainfall olf of 

 about 4 or 5 acres sup])lies the pond with water, which is warm, except in midwinter. 



Plants. — Tbe pond contains a few weeds and some brush around the edges. 



Enemiks. — There are perch, cat, and bull-frogs. Occasionally a turtle is seen. The 

 carp sutler from the depredations of other fish, which it seems almost impossible to 

 keep out. 



Food. — They get the washings from the feeding places for horses and hogs. 



Growth. ^I regard the carp as the most rapid growers among pond-fish. The old 

 ones will weigh from 5 to 7 i)oiinds. I caught one a few days ago which weighed 6 

 pounds. Less than half the original lot are still left. 



Reproduction. — I can discover no young. They must be very sluggish and care- 

 less in the protection of their young. 



Edible qualities. — I regard the carp as being the best pond fish in existence. I 

 have eaten ihem and find them to be as good as any. 



406. Statement of Wm. Laney, Tyro, Tate Co., Miss., July 22, 1882. 



Growth. — The carp received in December, 1881, and which then weighed hardly 

 1 ouuce, now average 14 inches in lougth aud 6 pounds in 'veight. I find the carp all 

 that is claimed for them. My efibrts in their culture havt> been very successful. 



