-S4() REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [182] 



Food. — They are very fond of Bermuda grass, and have lived on that alone, as I have 

 fed them none at all. 



826. Statement of S. S. Walker, Grnesbeck, Limestone Co. , Tex. , July 25, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceivkd. — The 20 carp which I received in 1881 I put in the 

 tank of Mr. J. A. Gardiner, near Mexia, and have since learned that they are doing well 

 and increasing very fast. 



827. Statement of Oscar Wiley, Groesbeck, Limestone Co. , Tex. , Feb. 9, 1883. 



Geowth and eepeoduction. — The carp are doing well and multiplying rapidly. I 

 have them in great quantities and am much pleased with them. They grow so fast I 

 think I shall be able to commence using them this spring. 



828. Statement of Volney Metcalfe, Kosse, Limestone Co., Tex.^ June 28, 1880. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — The carp received in the fall of 1879 I put iu a 

 well having 4 feet of water iu it. I connected the well with a tank by means of a small 

 ditch, in order to fill the well \vith water, and left the ditch open so that the water would 

 not stagnate. I put 5 of the carp in the tank. 



Food. — I feed the carp on corn-bread and vegetables, such as tomatoes, squash, &c., 

 all of which they eat. They seem to like the squash best, preferring it baked. Corn- 

 bread is their favorite diet, and by feeding them at the same place every day they be- 

 come accustomed to look for it. All we have to do when we wish to see them is to tie a 

 piece of stale bread to a string and float it on the water, when they come up all around 

 it, and scramble for it like hogs for com. 



Geowth . — The carp remaining are now 4 inches wide and a foot long. 



Difficulties. — Several of the carp appeared to be sick when received, and died .soon 

 afterwards. 



829. Statement of H. M. 3funger, Mexia, Limestone Co. , Tex. , July 30, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — 1 received 20 carp about 3 years ago and put 

 them in a tank 10 feet deep, with a clayey bottom. It is supplied with drainage water 

 from 200 acres of land. It contains several kinds of plants. 



Enemies. — It contains perch and catfish. 



Geowth. — I caught a carp about 27 inces long. 



Miscellaneous. — As the pond is on my ranch, 16 miles away, I have never fed them, 

 aud can't say how many remain or whether they have produced any young. 



830. Statement of J. M. Waller, Mexia, Limestone Co., Tex., Aug. 1, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — I received 20 carp in December, 1881. My tank 

 covers 3 acres of land, is from 1 to 12 feet deep, and has a bottom of very soft mud. 



Enemies. — Catfish, perch, and some turtles are in the pond. 



Geowth. — The old ones are now about 2 feet long. 



Eepeoduction. — They have produced a good crop of young, which are from 8 to 12 

 inches in length. 



Difficulties. — The most serious difficulty has been to catch them. They are very 

 likely to follow high water over the waste-way and escape. We have found them on 

 the prairie below after a freshet. 



831. Statement of A. P. Brown, 3L D., Jefferson, Marion Co., Tex., Aug. 10, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — I received 75 carp in 1879 and have received more 

 since that time. My pond is 30 by 75 feet, 1 to 6 feet deep, and has a muddy bottom. It 

 is supplied with the rain water which falls on 20,000 square feet of roofing. 



Plants. — It contains Bermuda and crab grass, and the ponds of my neighbors contain 

 Bermuda, crowfoot, crab, and common water-grasses. 



Enemies. — There are no enemies in the pond. 



Food. — I give them bread, and sweepings from freight cars, such as corn, oats, &c. 

 The fish, when regularly fed, are very gentle and follow their feeders all around the pond. 



Geowth. — I have 5 or 6 of the original lot, which are about 23 inches long and weigh 

 from 42' to 5v pounds each. 



Miscellaneous. — I nelieve carp to be a success in all waters of this section not im- 

 pregnated with iron, copper, or sulphur. Most of the parties to whom I have delivered 



