[163J CARP-CULTURE IX THE UNITED STATES. 821 



740. Statement of George B. Crockett, NasJivilk, Damhon Co., Tenn., Aug. 29, 1883. 



Disposition of carp keceived.— The carp received in November, 1880 were placed 

 in ii natural pond of Dr. John-B. Crockett, Brentwood, Williamson County Tennessee 

 The pond covers about % acres, with a varying depth, and a muddy and sandy bottom 

 It is supplied by rain and part of the year by spring water. 



Enemies. — No other fish than carp inhabit the pond. 



Miscellaneous. — The pond is so large and deep that I have seen none of the carp 

 since they were placed in it, though I have visited it pl'ten since. Others, however, have 

 seen them. 



741. Statement of Duncan B. Dorris, Xashville, Davidson Co., Tenn., July 21, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived.— The 4 pair of carp received 3 years ago I put in a 

 small pond. They were frozen to death by an unexpected cold snap. Nearly all of 

 them who have received carp have been wonderfully successful. The climate of Ten- 

 nessee is especially adapted to their culture. 



742. Statement of George Eherhardt, Nashville, Davidson Co., Tenn., Aug. 3, 1884. 



Grotv^th and reproduction. — The 50 or GO young carp received about 2 years ago 

 have grown to an enormous size, and the increase in the numbers of young is beyond 

 belief. 



743. Statement of II. B. Gray, Kash.ille, Davidson Co., Tenn., Aug. 3, 1884. 



Reproduction. — In April, 1884, I placed in my pond 5 scale and 4 leather adult 

 carp. A few days ago I seined my pond and found 500 young, averaging in length from 

 3 to 6 inches, while at least 50 of them measured 10 inches in length. 



Edible qualities — The flesh of carp is excellent food, especially when they are 

 allowed to remain in a small pond of clear spring water before serving for the table. 



744. Statement of Frank W. Green, Nashville, Davidaon Co., Tenn., July 25, 1833. 



Disposition of carp received. — I put the 17 scale carp received in February, 1879, 

 in a pond 48 by 98 feet, walled around with cemented stone and having a depth of 5 feet 

 and a bottom of solid rock. Over the bottom sediment ha.s accumulated to the depth of 

 from 8 to 10 inches. Rain water flows into the pond over blue grass sward. Enough is 

 collected to last during dry seasons, and when all the small streams dried up 2 years 

 ago my pond aflbrded a sufficient supply of water for from 300 to 400 head of stock, 

 besides furuishiug water for perishing plants. 



Plants. — A vegetable mold forms on the surface very fast, and is eaten by the carp 

 almost as rapidly as formed. 



ENEaiiES. — A few bull-frogs infest the pond. I have no means of ascertaining how 

 the catfish that were in my pond when I put the carp there were destroyed. In the 

 spring of 1882, from 3 to 6 catfish could be frequently seen floating upon the surlace in 

 a disemboweled condition, while their bodies were not decayed. I think the carj) 

 destroyed them. 



Food. — I put in my pond the solid food of the refuse from my table and kitchen. The 

 carp eat and thrive like pigs. The success of carp culture is in knowing how to feed 

 them. 



Growth. — Each of the 12 original carp remaining are 17 inches long and Aveigh 6 

 pounds. 



Reproduction. — There are thousands and thousands of fry in the pond. One-half 

 bushel of young can be caught at one haul of a seine. They range in size from 1 to 15 

 inches. Parties whom I supplied with carp in 1881 now have their ponds full of young. 

 My success shows that any one can have a carp pond where rain falls. My lish spawned 

 the second summer after I received them. 



Disposition of young. — I gave the Fish Commissioner of Tennessee 3 ])arrels of fry, 

 which, I suppose, contained thousands. I have also sold 6000 worth of young, and ex- 

 pressed them all over the State. 1 sell them for $25 per hundred, or 25 cents each. 



Hardihood. — I sent 50 carp from 6 to 8 inches long to Newberry, S. C, and although 

 they were 4 days on their way, they reached their destination in .safety. I ship 25 in a 

 6 gallon tin bucket made for the purpose. . 



How TO catch carp. — In catching carp you do not have the trouble ot digging 

 worms and catching minnows; you simply bait a hook, attached to a leader, with stifl 

 flour dough in such a quantitj" as will cover it entirely. They lake it as soon as it 



