802 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [144] 



my pond the last of October, that the largest one measured 14? inches and weighed 2|- 

 pounds, and the others measured respectively from 12 to 13 inches and weighed from 1 

 to 2 pounds. 



646. Statement of William Thompson, jr. , Lemont, Centre Co. , Pa. , July 27, 1883. 



Disposition of caep received. — Of the 18 carp received on November 16, 1880, I 

 placed 15 carp in a pond 50 by 100 feet, having a maximum depth of 3 feet. It has a 

 muddy bottom, and is supplied by a l^-inch stream of warm water. The other 3 carp 

 died before the pond was completed. 



Plants ano'^enemies. — Nothing but moss grows in the pond. Frogs and tadpoles 

 inhabit it. 



Food. — I do not feed the carj). 



Growth. — We have eaten 3 and suppose there are 12 carp remaining. One taken out 

 July 23, 1883, weighed 3 pounds and 13 ounces and measured 20J inches in length. 



Reproduction. — There are hundreds of young in the pond which are from 1 inch to 

 6 inches long, the longest weighing about ^ pound each. 



Distribution of young. — 1 gave40 of the fry to John J. Thomson, jr., Lemont, Pa., 

 in November, 1882. 



647. Statement of W. R. Shelmire, Avondale, Chester Co., Fa., July 21, 1883. 



Loss of the carp received. — In the spring of 1880 I received about 18 carp, all of 

 which 1 lost by an accident to my pond. 



648. Statement of C. J. Morton, 31. D., Toughkenamon, Chester Co., Pa., July 11, 1881. 



Growth. — I have reason to think that all of the carp received in the fall of 1880 are 

 alive and doing well. They glide by me almost every day and appear to be as large aa 

 shad. I caught one about 2 weeks ago which measured 16 inches in length. 



Food. — I feed them every morning and often in the evening on curd and mush, and 

 beans and corn first boiled and then run through a sausage-cutter. I also often dig earth- 

 worms for them. 



649. Statement of Samuel S. Conard, West Grove, Chester Co., Pa., Dec. 4, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 20 carp received on May 25, 1880, and the 19 

 received in December, 1882, by Mr. M. Conard were placed in a pond 40 by 60 feet, with 

 an average depth of IJ feet and a bottom of mud and gravel. A very small stream from 

 a spring which rises from 200 to 300 yards distant supplies the pond. 



Plants and enemies. — Rushes and water-lilies grow in the pond. A few frogs and 

 small turtles get in, but no other fish than carp inhabit it. 



Food. — I give them bread and sorghum occasionally. 



Growth. — In 60 days the original carp grew from 3 inches to 7 or 8 inches in length. 

 Those received in December, 18S2, were about 2 inches long, and July 26, 1883, meas- 

 ured from 9 to 11 inches, and all doing well. September 1, 1883, the largest was 12 J 

 inches long. 



Difficulties. — By mistake, the supply of water was cut off from the pond in August, 

 1880, and the first lot of carp perished. 



050. Statement of Joseph Pyle, West Grove, Chester Co., Pa., Dec. 4, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 10 carp received in June, 1880, and 20 more 

 received in November, 1882, I put in a pond covering about A of an acre, with a depth 

 of from 1 to 3 feet, and a muddy bottom. In summer, 15 gallons of spring water flow 

 through the pond per minute. 



Plants. — Water-lilies, cat-tail, a quantity of grass similar to fox-tail, and a species of 

 dock grow in the pond. Thej^ relish cat-tail very much. 



Enemies. — Turtles, a few minnows, and small sun-fish, and a great many frogs inhabit 

 the pond. 



Food. — I did not feed the carp until August and September, 1882, when I gave them 

 sweet corn in the milky state. When I desire to see them I sometimes give them bread 

 and crackers. 



Growth. — The 3 original carp average from 23 to 25 inches in length, and 8 pounds 

 in weight. 



Reproduction. — There were more than 1,000 young in the pond last season (1882), 

 and I judge there are from 5,000 to 10,000 this season. The yearlings vary in length 



