[101] CARP-CtJLTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 75() 



Plants.— Water-cresses and other cresses grow in the pouds, and white clover 

 parsley, and several kinds of grass grow around the borders. ' 



Enemies.— The npper pond contains chubs, little copperhead froo-s and specMe- 

 back terrapin. The kingfisher made us a great deal of trouble. We shot the kin<r- 

 fisher and saved 2 carj). " 



Food.— I give corn mush to the carp sometimes, hut they pay little attention to it. 

 They feed on snails and water-cress and grass. 



Growth.— There are 2 leather carp left. Wc suppose that they would wei-^h from 

 G to 7 pounds ; they are the size of shad ; when received they were from i to^f of an 

 inch long. 



EEPnoDUCTiON.— We have not seen any young ones yet. I am afraid my carp are 

 both males or both females. I would like to have a few more. 



455. Statement of George W. Hedden , ivid nine others, Farmer's Hotel, Morrlsiown, Morris 



Co., N. J., Nov. 1, 1883. 



Growth and reproduction.— The carp placed in Mr. Charles E. Noble's pond 

 December 2, 1880, hrst spawned in the spring of this year, and have grown remark- 

 ably. One of them is 1!J inches long and weighs 3^ pounds. 



Edible qualities. — Two mirror carp were cooked at the Farmer's Hotel and the 

 guests thought them very palatable. They were very fat. We deem them a val 

 uable article of diet, which should be raised especially in our country, where there are 

 so many places adapted to their culture. 



456. Statement of B. F. Howell, Morristoivn, Morris Co., X. J., July 2o, 1881. 



Disposition of carp received.— I received 25 in February, 1S81. I kept them 

 in a pond 100 feet square and 18 inches deep, with a muddy bottom. A 6-incli pipe 

 would carry the water which passes through it. 



Enemies. — It contains catfish, &c. 



Growth. — My carp weighed 3 pounds when I lost them. Mr. Noble, of this town, 

 has fine luck with his, and they grow very fast and are very tame. It is a great 

 curiosity to see them feed. His poud is pure spring water. 



Difficulties. — The fish you kindly sent me were all carried away by a break in my 

 pond. A neighbor lost his fish in the same way. I should like sonie more carp for 

 this pond and also for 2 larger ones which I have in other j»arts of the county. 



457. Statement of Charles E. Nohle, Morrisfown, Morris Co., X. J., July 31, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 20 carp which I received I put into a small 

 poud 100 feet in diameter and G feet deep. The bottom is naturally quicksaud, but 

 has been tilled in 6 inches deep with firm sand such as masons use. About 15,000 

 gallons of water flow into it daily, directly from springs which have a temperature 

 of 60°. The temperature of the water at the surface of the pond is not less than 70° 

 in summer. 



Plants. — It contains no j)lants nor grasses. Its edges are even and riprapped with 

 stone. 



Enemies. — There are shiners and 6 goldfish in the pond. Frogs, snakes, and musk- 

 rats get in, but are killed by every moans I can eniploy. 



Food. — We usually give the carp, during the summer, the daily waste from the 

 kitchen, say 4 gallons or so of bread, griddle cakes, and cooked ijotatoes and other 

 vegetables. 



Growth. — At least half of the original carp are still in the pond; perhaps all of 

 them. I judge they will weigh from 3 to 4 i^ouuds. They look about as largo as a fair- 

 sized shad, though all are not the .same size. They would average probably 3 i)onuds. 



Reproduction. — I can see a dozen or more yonug of last year's hatching, but did 

 not know I had them till last mouth. They are about 6 inches long and arc growing 

 rapidly. 



Difficulties. — They are no difficulty at all, but, on the other hand, we take 

 pleasure in feeding them. They are quite tame now, and come up to take any float- 

 ing food close in shore. The only objection to them for a pleasant pond on the lawn 

 is that they root around in the bottom and keep the water muddy. 



458. Statement of H. B. Stone, Morristoum, Morris Co., X. J., July 27, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received.— On the 1st of December, 1880, 1 received 20 carp 

 for myself and 140 in custody for others. 1 received some more in 1882. 1 have kept 

 them in a poud on Spring Brook farm, the property of John T. Foote, esq. This pond 

 is 250 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 3^- ftjet deep, and has a muddy bottom. It has no 



