804 EEPORT OF COMMISSIOKER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [146] 



654. Statement of S. Weeks, Supi. W. Pa. Fish Hatchery, Carry, Erie Co., Pa., July 2i, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — The 25 carp received in July, 1880, I put in a pond 

 35 by 100 feet, having a muddy bottom, and a depth of from 6 to 18 inches, except 10 

 by 25 feet in the center, where the' water is 3 feet deep. The supply of ^vater in summer, 

 when it has a temperature of 75°, is equal in amount to that consumed by evaporation, 

 and in winter is suCQcient to prevent the pond from freezing over. 



Plants and enemies. — Flags and water-lilies grow in the pond, and frogs and liz- 

 ards inhabit it. 



Food. — I did not feed the carp the first year, but I now give them cooked meal every 

 other day. 



Growth. — There were 9 carp in the pond last spring, which average 12 inches in 

 length and weigh l^- pounds. 



Reproduction. — The carp spawned for the first time last j'ear, and when I netted the 

 |)0ud last fall ouly 150 young were found. The fish spawned again thLs year, but I can- 

 hot tell the number of young j^et. The yearlings are 3 inches long. 



JlrscELLANEOUS. — AVe have given out 27 carp. The remainder we retain as yet. 

 Carp are a very hardj' fish and worth cultivating. None better can be grown here for 

 the people. The carp would thrive better if the water in my pond was not so cold. 



6.55. Statement of J. W. Long, 3Iount 31orris, Greene Co., Pa., Oet. 10, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 10 mirror carp received June 1, 1880, and the 

 20 carp received November 15, 1881, I placed in 2 artificial ponds, one containing 2 acres 

 and the other I acre. Each has a muddy bottom. A J-inch stream of spring water and 

 the drainage from a watershed of 30 acres feed the ponds. 



Plants. — White water-lilies and bulrushes grow in the ponds. 



Enejiies. — Suapping-turtles, many small frogs, but no other fish than carp inhabit the 

 ponds. 



Food. — I do not feed the carp. 



Growth. — I have all of the original carp but 1, which, having received an injury, 

 died last fall. They averaged 10 pounds July 28, 1883. They attained a length of is 

 inches within less than 5 months after their introduction into the pond. 



Reproduction. — My carp spawned when yearlings. I have a few young that are 2 

 years old which were 20 inches long July 28, 1883. The yearlings then averaged li 

 pounds. The ponds seemed to be full of young. My great success surpassed even my 

 most sanguine expectations. 



Exhibition of carp. — I placed my mirror carj) on exhibition at the county fair and 

 received §70 as a premium thereon. 



Difficulties. — The only obstacle that confronts me is the destruction of the eggs by 

 the carp themselves. 



656. Statement of E. B. I sett. Spruce Creek, Huntington Co., Pa., July 24, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — In November, 1880, I received 2 lots of carp of 25 

 each, and 110 more in October, 1881. My 2 ponds cover, respectively, ^ acre and 1 acre, 

 and have nmddy bottoms. The larger pond is supplied with water from the smaller," 

 which is fed by the leakage from a mill race. The temperature of the water varies from 

 G0° to 65°. 



Plants and enemies. — Grass grows in the ponds. I try to rid them of the enemies 

 of the carp, but still have a few snakes, frogs, turtles, muskrats, and other fish than carp 

 to contend with. 



Food. — As there is plenty of natural food in the ponds, the carp do not feed eagerly 

 on the scalded chop that I give them. 



Growth. — The original carp weigh from 3 to 5 pounds. Of the first 2 lots there are 

 about 30, and of the last lot about 80 remaining. 



Reproduction. — There are many young about 2.t inches long in the ponds. They first 

 S])awned this summer. 



Difficulties. — It is difficult to keep other fish, turtles, and snakes out of the ponds, 

 and the muskrats from cutting the banks. 



IMISCELLANEOUS. — I cxpect to be well paid in a few years for the trouble I have had 

 at carp culture. 



657. Statement of Henry Truman, of Jefferson County Spo)isman''s Association, Sigel, Jeffer- 

 son Co., Pa., Attg. 25, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 60 carp received by the Jefierson County 

 Bportsman's Society in October, 1881, and another lot of from 25 to 30 received in the spring 



