[167] 



CARP-CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 825 



Their growth even during the winter months was rapid. The 4 which escaped the maw 

 of the mallard duck that infested the pond did well, and grew at an astonishiu"- rate up 

 to a few days ago, when a kingfisher killed 2 of them. - » • 



761. Statement of J. T. Low, Saulabury, Hardeman Co., Tmn., .Inly 28, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived.— The 33 carp received from a gentleman in Missis- 

 sippi in January, 1881, and the 25 received from theU. S. Fish Commission in Fehruary, 

 1881, I put in a pond covering about an acre, with a depth of 15 feet and a muddv bot- 

 tom. It is formed in a ravine below a spring, and has a daily supply of 20 barrels of 

 water. There Ls no surplus water except when it rains. It did not freeze over last 

 ■winter. The pond contains no plants nor other fish than carp. 



Food. — I give the carp bread and meal weekly. 



Geowth. — Each of the 20 original carp remaining weigh from 4 to 6 pounds. I have 

 taken 2 that weigh 6 pounds each. I have given 8 of the old carp to a neighbor. 



Repeoduction. — The pond is well stocked with young, which are from 4 to 6 inches 

 in length. 



Difficulties. — I found 2 dead carp in the pond, which appeared to have been snagged. 



Miscellaneous. — Every farmer who does not live near a river or lake should have a 

 carp pond. 



762. Statement of H. B. Wright, Saulsbury, Hardeman Co. , Tenn. , July 25, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — The total number of carp received and placed in 

 my pond in January, 1831, by myself and others was 05. The pond is crescent-shaped, 

 and covers I2 acres. It is 18 feet deep in the center, and the spring water that flows in 

 it is less in summer than that consumed by evaporation. The temperature varies with 

 the depth of the water, and is lukewarm in summer at the ends of the pond where the 

 water is shallow. 



Plants. — A few bulrushes grow in the pond. 



Enemies. — Bull-frogs, catfish, perch, suckers, &c., inhabit the pond. 



Food. — I feed the carp mostly on bread, but not oftener than twice a week. 



Geowth. — I judge from the apijearance of the carp remaining that they will weigh 10 

 or more pounds. My carp are perfectly healthy, and grow like jiigs. 



Repeoduction. — There are a great many j'oung in the pond, which weigh from j^- 

 evince to 2 pounds. 



Edible qualities. — We skin them and fry in lard; not cotton-seed oil. Thej- eat 

 pretty well to those unused to the fine fish of North Carolina waters. A neighbor says 

 they are as good as he ever ate. I think they will be a blessing to the country. 



763. Statement of J. 31. Hudson, Paris, Henry Co., Tenn., July 25, 1883. 



Disposition of carp eeceived. — The 25 carp received in November, 1880, 1 put in a 

 2-acre pond having a muddy bottom. Its maximum depth is 6 feet, and it gets shallower 

 nearer the shores. I intend to increase the depth of the water by raising the levee. Rain 

 water alone feeds the jwnd. 



Plants. — Five or six large oak trees and a small clump of willows grow in the poud. 

 A variety of grapes and weeds is to be found upon the adjoining hill. 



Enemies. — An abundance of bull-frogs, toads, and some snakes, but no other fish than 

 carp, inhabit the pond. 



Food. — I have not fed the carp, supposing there was a sufiicient quantity of natural 

 food in the pond. 



Geowth. — In July, 1882, there were original carp remaining, some of which were 

 more than 2 feet long. They have grown rapidly. I have not counted them since, but 

 frequently see from 2 to 3 at a time. I have .seen no young yet. 



Difficulties. — My ]K>nd dried up in the summer of 1882, but since then the pond 

 has and will continue to have a sufficient supply of water. I fonnd 5 dead carp floating 

 on the surface of the water in July, 1882, and I once thought that they were injured by 

 a thief while attempting to gig them with a sharp stick. 



764. Statement of J. N. Thompson, Pari>i, Henry Co., Tenn., July 30, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived —The 22 carp received in 1881, I put in a }-acre pond 

 having an average depth of 3 feet, and a muddy bottom. Rain-water alone supplies the 

 pond. 



Enemies.— Mud-turtles, frogs, &c., inhabit the pond. 



