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CARP-CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 813 



Geowth.— Last April, the remaining carp of the original lot weighed 21 pounds. Of 

 the 52 received by Mr. Williams and myself in 1880, 36 remain, and only from 8 to 10 

 of the last 3 lots. I have seen no young yet. 



Caep in the Susquehanna. — Last fall a mirror carp was caught in the Susque- 

 hanna Eiver, near the Maryland State line, and weighed 1] pounds, and mea.sured 15 

 inches in length. It was very lean, having been in a box without food during the en- 

 tire winter. I obtained it at a price of $2.50, to mate with my old Ciup, but I now fear 

 they are not mates. 



Difficulties. — My carp would have done much better had not the water in my ponds 

 been so deep and so cold. A salmon that was in the pond before I placed the carp in 

 devoured 6 of the original carp within 24 hours. The other 2 disappeared, and were not 

 agaiu seen until the following fall, when they were found in my lower pond with bass, cat- 

 tish and eels. I cannot account for the disappearance of so many from the other lots of carp 

 unless eels and water-snakes destroyed them. Eels are very difficult to get rid of, aud 

 the only way in which I succeeded was, after draining the pond, to let it remain dry for 

 3 months. It is said that they will crawl up an embankment to get iuto a pond. 



Miscellaneous. — I have spent much money and time upon ciirp culture, and I now 

 have my ponds in a better condition than ever before. I intend to construct another one 

 this fall. Mj water is suitable now, but the same cannot be said of the ground. The 

 carp cannot escape from the pond, and floods never interfere. 



697. Statement of David Striclder, York, York Co., Pa., Dec. 6, 1883. 



Geowth. — I have not drawn my ponds,but will give a full report when I do. I have 

 2 fish that may weigh 4 or 5 pounds. I think they made more growth the past sum- 

 mer than belore, owing to being in a better pond. 



698. Statement of John T. Williams, Jr., York, York Co., Fa., July 28, 1883. 



Disposition of caep received. — The 31 carp received in October, 1881, I put in a 

 pond 30 by 50 feet, with a depth of from 1 to 5 feet, and a bottom of clay and rock. 



Enemies. — Catfish, sun-fish, and common frogs are found in the pond. I do not feed 

 the carp. 



Geowth. — The carp average 11 inches in length. There are no young yet. 



Difficulties. — Poachers visit the pond. I cannot drain the pond to the bottom. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



699. Statement uf Alex. G. Sanford, Warren, Bridol Co., B. I., Aug. 29, 1863. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — I received 75 carp about November 1, 1881. My 

 pond is 100 feet long by 50 feet broad, and flows back 300 feet in length by 25 feet in 

 width during about 9 months of the year. It has a muddy bottom. 



Plants and enemies. — It contains lilies, flags, and several other kinds of water 

 plants. It also contains frogs, and we have seen small turtles and small eels in it. 



Food. — No food has been given, the pond seeming to contain enough. 



Geowth and eepeoduction. — I should think there were about 50 original carp from 

 1^ to 2 pounds weight each. The young when last seen were about ;] of an inch long. 



SOUTH CAROL,INA. 



700. Statement of J. M. Cane, Elko, Barmvell Co.,S. C, Oct. 11, 1881. 



Food. — I feed the carp, received last January, daily on bread and find that they are 

 very fond of it. 



Geowth. — They have grown very fast and are now about 20 inches long. 



Edible qualities. — 1 have taken one out of my pond and find it to be a very nice 

 table fish, I believe the very best fish I ever tasted. 



How to catch caep. — i caught a caqi with a hook baited with corn-bread, though 

 I must say that they are not easily caught in that way. 



701. Statement of S. B. 3Iassey, Chester C. H., Chester Co., S. C, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — The 20 carp received in January, 1880, I placed 

 in pond fed by springs and having a blue muddy bottom. 



