[147] 



CARP-CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 805 



of 1882, were placed in a pond especially constructed for carp, covering from o to | acre. 

 It has a depth of from 18 inches to 6 feet, a muddy bottom, aud a sui)ply of rather cold 

 water from 3 good spriugs. 



Plants. — Swamp-grass, skuuk-cabbage, aud a variety of plants grow in the pond. 



Enemies. — Frogs aud lizards inhabit the pond. 



Food. — I gave the carp a variety of food at first, but have fed nothing for a year, sup- 

 posing they were all dead, as I could see none of them. 



Growth. — Two carp were washed out of the pond and were found in a small pool 

 below in the spring of 1883. One of them weighed from 3 to 4 pouuds and the other 

 about 1]- pounds. The carp were seen in the pond for the first time about 3 weeks ago, 

 and from their actions I supposed they were spawning. There are the greater part of 

 the original carp in the pond. They average about 15 inches in length. 



658. Statement of J. J. Carta; Lijks, Lancaster Co., Pa., Jicli/ 22, 1884. 



Growth. — On the 10th of last May I put 60 carp in my pond. Thej' were of last 

 year's spawn, and ran from 1} to 2.V inches in length. Just 71 days afterward, having 

 occasion to draw off most of the water, I caught 4 leather carp. The largest measured 

 11 inches in length, the others from 1 to 2 inches less. This was not guessed or esti- 

 mated length, but actual measurement with a rule. 



659. Statement of Benjamin L. Garhcr, 3Iarictta, Lancaster Co., Pa., July 25, 1883. 



Disposition of cakp received. — The 10 carp received on June 8, 1880, I put in a 

 pond 70 by 160 feet, with an average depth of 5 feet, and a bottom of clay aud gravel. 

 A 6-inch flow of limestone water from springs \ mile distant supplies the ix)ud. 



Plants and enemies. — Several kinds of grasses and water plants grow in the pond. 

 Turtles, green frogs, and various kinds of common fish inhabit it. 



Food. — I never feed the carp. 



Growth. — There are 7 c;irp remaining. I caught a carp in March, 1883, beiug about 

 3 years of age, that measured 21^- inches in length, n\ inches in circumference, aud 

 weighed 5.t pouuds. 



I am at a loss to know why my carp do not increase. 



660. Statement of W. H. Aiken, New Castle, Lawrence Co., Pa., Aug. 20, 1683. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 15 carp received in November, 1880, I put iu 

 a .]-acre pond, with a depth of 3 feet, and a muddy bottom. A i-inch stream of water, 

 at a temperature of 70°, supplies the pond. The carp received subsequently I placed iu 

 public waters. This spring I removed the original carp to another pond. 



Plants and enemies. — Water-lilies aud wild rice grow in the pond. Frogs, but no 

 turtles nor other kinds of fish, inhabit it. 



Food. — Daily I give the carp bread. 



Growth.— In the spring of 1883 there were 13 original carp remaining. They aver- 

 aged 3 pounds in weight. 



Reproduction. — In 1882 there were several hundred young iu the pond, but I cannot 

 state the number. This year's increase is large. The young weigh from j to i pound. 



Disposition of young. — I placed the fry in public streams. 



661. Statement of Watson N. Dinsmore, New Castle, Lawrence Co., Pa., Nov. 26, 18S3. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 20 carp from the United States Fish Com- 

 mission in November, 1882. I had already bought from George Findley, of Pittsburgh, 

 Pa., 7 goldfish, and from Henry Edenburu, West Middlesex, Pa., 27 carp. Last Juno 

 a flood swept away the pond and carried all the fish except 1 goldfish into the Sheiiaugo 

 and Big Beaver creek.s. Since June I have built a levee between the rivulet and tho 

 pond 1 foot higher than the high-water mark, which I think will protect it herealter. 

 I have also bought from Mr. Edenburn 42 carp, aud from Jlr. Findlay 23 goldlis.i. 

 These, with the 8 carp I have just received from the United States Fish Commission, I 

 shall keep together this winter, but next spring I intend to separate the carp Irom the 

 goldfish. No water can now get into the pond except spring water from below, ihe 

 pond lies open to the sun and contains pond-lilies, dock, &c. 



662. Statement of Andrew Lewis, Nexo Castle, Lawrence Co., Pa., Sept. 6, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received.— The 15 carp received on November 6, 1880, and 

 those received subsequently, I put in a pond covermg 30 square feet, having a deptu or 



