[161] CARP-CULTURE IN TilE UNITED STATES. 819 



succeeded iu capturing one of the 

 i inches iu length and weighed 2 

 perhaps thousands of young carp 



Geowth and eepeoduction.— About June 15, I succeeded in capturmg one of the 

 original 15 carp, which, to my surprise, measured 13 inches iu length and weighed 2 

 pounds. I also have to-day at least hundreds and perhaps thousands of vounsr cam 

 from i inch to 2t inches lonif. 



730. Statement of S. F. Garrimn, Fort 3Iill, York Co., S. C, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived.— I placed the carp received iu 1881 in a i-acre 

 pond having a depth of from 1 to 4 feet. 



Eepeoduction. — There are a large number of young iu my pond. 



731. Statement of E. E. Guthrie, Guthriesville, York Co., S. C, June 2, 1881. 



ENE31IES. — All of my carp but 2 were evidently destroyed soon after they were planted. 

 The animals that did this work were "coolers," eels, and some other enemies of the 

 finny tribe. 



Gkowth. — I drew off my pond Juue 3, and Ibund that the 2 carp remaining had made 

 a growth ol 10 inches in length and were very thick and chubby. A lew days ago we 

 caught a carp 14 months old that was 17| inches long, 5 inches broad, 2.} inches thick, 

 and weighed 3 pounds. This fi.sh was from 3 to 4 inches long when planted. 



Edible qualities.— To set the matter as to theediblequalitiesof carp fiually at rest, 

 Mr. John F. Hinson, of Guthriesville, S. C, and myself determined to test the matter 

 w^ith the frying-pan. Accordingly, Saturday last was appointed as the day for preparing 

 one of the carp lor the table and submitting it to the palates of a number of gentlemen 

 competent to judge of the eating qualities of the finny tribe. The carp tested was of the 

 mirror variety. It was cleansed by .scalding, similar to the process of cleaning catfish. 

 Upon cleaning, it presented as fine an appearance as a dressed shad. Servetl and placed 

 on the table, it is the equal of au}^ fish we have ever eaten and superior to the fiavor of 

 the many popular varieties. The eight persons who partook of it gave but one expression 

 as to its merits as food, and that was that in respect to the texture of the flesh and flavor it 

 is equal to any fiesh-water fish known to our streams. Some of those who tried this fish 

 had doubts as to the carp's eating qualities, but by this test these doubts were re- 

 moved. It is palatable and all that could be desired by the lover of the red-horse and 

 brook trout. The opinion seemed to prevail that these species somewhat resemble the 

 carp in flavor. 



732. Statement of John F. ITinson, Guthriesville, York Co., S. C, Oct., 1881. 



Geowth. — I drew off my pond July 15 for the purpose of transferring my fish to an- 

 other pond, and found 19 of the 20 carp planted last January. These were between 3 

 and four inches long when placed in the poud, and I find they have grown rcniarkably, 

 the largest being 16 inches long and (J iuc'hes broad and the smallest 10 inches in length. 



Food. — I feetl the carp regularly and have accustomed them to a feeding place, to 

 which thej^ repair at a given .signal. 



733. Statement of Wm. B. Teicell, Fock Hill, York Co., S. C, Jul,!/ :iO, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. ^I received .some carp aliout 3 years ago, but 

 lost all except 2 or 3, as I had to bring them a good way. I received 20 more 2 years 

 ago and put them in a pond 50 by 300 feet, and 3 or 4 feet deep. It has a muddy bot- 

 tom. There is very little water in summer, and it is warm. 



Plants and enemies. — It contains wire-grass and bulrush. There are also a few 

 perch and frogs iu it. 



Food. — I give them wheat, hominy, and bread. 



Geowth. — Two weeks ago I caught 3 which were about 22 inches long, and 37 from 

 10 to 12 inches long, and transferred tiieiu to another jwnd. The only difficulty has 

 been a lack of water. 



7;>4. Slfile)n<nt of John C. Witlu rttpoon, Fock Bill, York Co., S. C, 1883. 



Geowth. — The carp furnished me in December, 1881, have grown beyond my ex- 

 |)ectation. None have died save one in April, injured by a muskrat. It would weigh 2 

 pounds and had eggs in it. 1 caught one iu August which weighed 2;, which also had 

 eggs in it. Some of the larger fish would w^eigh from 4 to 5 pounds. 



