830 REPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [172] 



Difficulties. — My pond was dried up in May, 1881, and I I'ound 3 of the carp floun- 

 dering about in the mud. I moved them to a pit 10 feet square, 10 feet deep, with 4 

 feet of water in it. One morning in September I found one dead, while the otliers were 

 lively and ate heartily. On the following morning I Ibund another one dead. These 2 

 were the largest ones, being 9 inches long, proportionately large and fat. I removed 

 the carp remaining to the pond, but have not fed it since. As I did not find but 3 carp 

 when the pond was dried up in May, 1881, I think the others buried themselves in the 

 mud which was then very soft, and 15 inches deep. 



779. Statement of iY. Blackwell, 31. D., Bartlctt, Shelhjj Co., Tenn., Aug. 8, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — The 10 carp received on November 12, 1680, and 

 20 more on November 25, 1881, I put in an artificial pond covering about -} acre, with a 

 depth of 4 feet, and a muddy bottom. The rain water which alone supplies the pond 

 gets quite warm in summer. 



Plants. — No plants grow in the pond, but a variety of weeds and grasses grow around 

 its edges. 



Enemies. — Frogs, but no other fish than carp inhabit the pond. 



Food. — I feed the carp on flour-bread daily. 



Growth. — The original carp remaining average about 5 pounds. All of the 30 carp 

 that I received are iuithe poml except the 3 which 1 ate. 



Repi{OUUCTIOX. — The carp did not spawn until they were 2 years old. A great num- 

 ber of young are in the pond. The yearlings are 1:5 inches long and weigh 2 pounds. 



DiSTKiBUTlON OF YOUNG. — I Supplied some of my neighbors with liy. 



780. StatemeniofN. F. Le Master, VJ3TacUson st., Memphis, Shelhy Co., Tenn.., Aug. 9, 1883. 



Disposition of c-arp received. — The 24 carp received in December, 1880, and the 

 12 received on January 1, 1883, 1 placed in a pond haviuga diamater of 100 feet, a depth of 

 4 feet, aiul a muddy bottom. The pond is so constructed as to retain all the water that 

 may flow into it, excejjt in exceedingly wet seasons. 



Plants. — The pond is almost surrounded by swamj)-v,illows, and around its edges 

 grow 3varities of .succulent grasses. 



Enejiies. — A few speckle perch and numerous bull-frogs inhabit the pond. 



Food. — I give the carp meal, corn-bread, pumpkins, and birds, and in winter I feed 

 them about once a week. 



Growth. — There are about ;'; of the original carp remaining. They are from 18 to 

 24 inches in length, and from 4 to 6 inches in width, and weigh from 4 to 6 pounds. 

 My carp are quite th lifty and grow very rapidly. Some of the last I received have grown 

 6 inches in as many months. I h.ave seen no young yet. 



DiFFicTJLTlES. — Poach'is visited the pond and Ciiught some of the original carp while 

 I was absent from home. 



781. Statement of John G. King, Bristol, SuUican Co., Tenn., Sept. 21, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — My carp were received November 2G, 1881. They 

 are in a pond of 3 acres, with a muddy i)ottom and Jed by a large and pure limestone 

 spring, the teiiqieraturc being the same summer and winter. 



Growth. — They weighed 2 pounds and 5 ounces, and were 15 inches long September 

 5, 1882. They now weigh Crom 8 to 12 pounds each. 



Reproduction. — 1 think they have spawned, as there are young in the pond, though 

 they may be branch miuu(jws. 



782. Statement of Dr. Thomas IV. Eoane, Covington. Tipton Co., Tenn., June 21 , ISSi. 



Disposition of carp received. — I placed the 40 carp received in November, 1881, 

 and then 2 to 2} inches long, in a pond 90 by 150 feet. The pond is supplied with an 

 abundance of spring water^ and is dug in a rich alluvial soil — the bed of an old pond 

 filled up 20 years ago. 



Plants. — The pond contains an abundance of vegetable growth. 



Food. — I feed the carp occasionally on bread, fruit, vegetables, wheat, corn, and oats 

 in the sheaf, all of which they devour greedily. They are now very tame. They come 

 to feed in the afternoon, and eat bread, potatoes, cabbage, grain, and refuse from the 

 kitchen greedily. They are to be seen sporting and leaping out of the water, biting off 

 the succulent grass stalks witii a snap of the jaws that sounds like pigs feeding. 



Growth. — I never saw them or perceived any indication of their presence in the 

 water until about June 1, 1882, when to. my surprise and delight I found numbers of 



