778 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISB AND FISHERIES. [120] 



542. Slatement of Ira A. Fitzgerald, Linwood, Davidson Co., N. C, Jug. 6, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 18 carp received iu Februarr, 1881, and 10 

 received iu March, 1882, 1 placed iu 2 pouds covering, respectively, i and i acre, with 

 depths of 4 and 7 feet, and muddy bottoms. A 2-incli flow of water, at a temperature 

 in winter of 40° and iu summer of 70°, supplies either pond. 



PL.4NTS AND ENEMIES. — Flag aud a few water-lilies grow iu the pouds. A few frogs 

 but no otlier fish inhabit it. 



Food. — 1 give the carp bread, boiled corn, wheat, cucumbers, chopped melon rinds, 

 aud other vegetables. 



(inowxn. — The 18 original carp are each larger than shad. 



Reproduction. — Though the carp did not spawn till 1883, the young are as large 

 as a man's hand. 



Difficulties. — I fiud it difficult to keep vermin out of the ponds. 



Miscellaneous. — I intend to construct other ponds this fall, aud would bo glad to 

 get some leather and mirror carp. 



543. Statemerit of Eobert H. Ricks, Rocky Mount, Edgecomb Co., N. C, Aug. 8, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 20 carp received on February 25. 1881, aud 

 18 more snbs("|U(iitly, I put iu a pond covering 12 acres. It has a muddy bottom, 

 aud a considi lable amount of water in winter but little during the dry seasons. Iu 

 suniui'T the v.ater is warm. 



Plant.s and enemies. — Flag aud mass grow iu the pond. I have nearly extermi- 

 uated the frogs aud turtles, but a variety of creek fish still inhabit it. 



Food. — 1 do not feed the carp. 



Growth. — Seveuteen months after the carp were put in the pond, I caught one 

 that weighed 4 pounds. 



Reproduction. — The young are from 10 to 12 inches long. 



Difficulties. — Mill-pond roaches give the carp more trouble than anything else. 



.544. Slatement of L. A. Thornhurg, Dallas, Gaston Co., N. C , Sept. 21, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 29 carp iu April, 1830. My pond 

 covers 4 aci'es, has a muddy bottoui, aud is 7 feet deep in the deepest part. A small 

 creek flows through it. It is warm iu summer aud sometimes ice forms on it iu win- 

 ter, 



Plants. — The pond contains a plant, which under the w^ater is like moss,, but when 

 it comes to the surface has a small leaf. 



Enemies. — There are ])eich and eels, turtles, frogs, and miunowsin the pond. I have 

 to-day moved the carp to a small })ond which is free from other fish. 



Food. — 1 have not fed them. 



Growth.— I have all of the original lot, aud they are about 2 feet loug, weighing 8 

 pounds each. 



Reproduction. — I have seen 1 of the young which was 6 inches long. 



545. Statement of A. L. Darden, Contentnea, Greene Co., N. C, Sept. 20, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — On February 28, 1881, I received 20 carp. I 

 placed them in a mill-i»oud which covers from 5 to 7 acres, is from 1 to 3 feet deep, 

 aud has a muddy bottom. In winter a great quantity of water flows through the 

 pond, but iu summer a very little. Spring water flows through the pond except dur- 

 ing a big ram. 



Plants. — The pond contains willow trees but no grasses. 



Enemies. — Bull-frogs, turtles, catfi.sh, mullet, perch, aud eels iu small quantities in- 

 habit the pond. 



Growth. — -Two of the original carp were about 28 inches long and weighed 10 

 pounds each. 



Edibile qualities. — We have eaten carp, some stewed, some baked, aud some 

 fried. All were pronounced of the very best by those who ate them. I think the 

 carp in the finest fish that I ever saw, and has the finest flavor for eating. I prefer it 

 stewed. 



546. Statement of James W. Albright, editor of the Daili/ Bugle, Greensborough, Guilford 



Co.,N. C, Mag 2, 1883! 



Growth and reproduction. — About two years ago last February, 18 carp aboiit 

 4 inches long were placed in the Albright mill-poud, 2 miles north of this place. This 

 ])Oud was drawn yesterday aud a wholesale capture of carp took place. Two old oues 

 were captured, and the 1 shown us by Mr. J. E. McKuight measured 24 inches in 



