766 EEP0.1T OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [108] 



year the fish began to disappear, and on investigation I found that the artiticial rock 

 work harbored snakes, which had climbed up to the basin from Eighteen-mile Creek, 

 50 feet below. These snakes proved such a pest that we have abandoned raising fish 

 in this basin. » 



483. Statement of William K. Clark, Neio York City, N. Y., July 28, 1883. 



Disposition of carp rfxeived. — The 40 carp received in the fall of 1880 (of which 

 20 were leather carp), and the 20 carp received in the fall of 1881, I put in a pond 35 

 by 70 feet, with a depth varying from 1^ to 6 feet, and a muddy bottom. A 3-inch 

 stream supplies the pond with water, except in summer when th^e is scarcely any 

 flow. It is located near High Bridge 



Plants. — No plants grow in the pond. 



Enemies.^— Eels and goldfish inhabit the pond. 



Food. — For about 9 months during the last and the present season bread has been 

 given the carp daily. 



Gkowth. —The leather carp average 2f pounds in weight and 18 inches in length, 

 and the other variety If pounds. All of the original are alive. They are easily kept, 

 and are veiy hearty. 



Reproduction. — I do not know whether the young in the pond are carp or gold- 

 fish. 



484. Slaiement of JV. A. ConUin, Central Park, Neiv York City, K. Y., Aug. 29, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 15 carp received December 1, 1879, I put 

 in a pond covering 10 acres, with an average depth of 10 feet, and a muddy bottom. 

 Seventy gallons of water fiow through it per minute. 



Enemies. — Goldfish, sun-fish, catfish, white and yellow perch, frogs, and painted 

 turtles inhabit the pond. 



Difficulties. — Other fish have destroyed the carp spawn. 



485. Statement of TnUiam G. Crenshaw, P. 0. Box 168, JN'eJf York City, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1883. 



Disposition of cap.p received. — I have not seen the carp received on January 25, 

 1881, and January 25, 18s2, since I placed them in apoud in Orange County, Virginia. 

 But I think there are plenty of carp in the pond, although they cannot be caught. 



486. Statement of Francis Endieott, 57 Beeknian St., New York City, X. Y., July 26, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 250 carp received through Mr. E. G. Black- 

 ford in 1^80, and 64 nion^ received on December 13, 1881, 1 put in the lakes and ponds 

 of Staten Island. Most of these ])onds and lakes are public waters, and are stagnant. 



Plants.— Pond-lilies and dog-lilies grow in some of the ponds and lakes. 



Enemies. — Goldfish are numerous, and thrive in the ponds and lakes. Turtles, 

 and from 2 to 3 varieties of frogs, also inhabit them. 



Growth. — The 4 carp which were found dead in Captain Woods' pond weighed 5 

 pounds each. Several other members of the Richmond County Game and Fish Pro- 

 tective Association have rei)orted enormous carp in their ponds. The semi-stagnant 

 waters of this county are es])ecially adapted to the successful culture of the carp. 



Difficulties. — Our ponds and lakes are too near the great city of New York. 



487. Statement of F. C. Havemeyer, 117 Wall st., Xew York City, N. Y, July 31, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 25 carp received in November, 1879, 1 put in 

 an ice pond, 45 by 55 tVet, with an average depth of 4 feet, and a bottom composed 

 of mud and gravel. The spring water which flows into the pond is sufiicient to fill it 

 in the course of a week; The" temperature of the pond varies from 70'^ to 75°. In 

 November, 1882, 1 received 25 more and placed them in a pond, 50 by 125, contiguous 

 to the smaller one, and built 2 years later. 



Plants. — No plants grow in the j)ond. It contains no enemies. 



Food. — From 3 to 4 times a week I give the carji lettuce and other vegetables. I 

 also feed them on stale wheat and bran bread. 



Gro^vth. — The 17 original carp remaining average from 2 to 21 pounds. I have not 

 seen any young yet. 



Difficulties. — When the water was run olT from the smaller pond just before the 

 completion of the larger one, several carp escajied. 



