[183] 



CARP-CULTURE IN THE UNITED STA. ,S. S41 



carp report very satisfactory results, especially those who have ^iven the fisli one-half of 

 the attention they deserve. Some of the ponds where \ he fish grow rapidly have no 

 young. In other ponds they have multiplied rapidly, while in still others there is no 

 increase of young, but a loss of some of the old ones. 



832. Statement of B. C. Hinnant, Daingerfield, Morn» Co., Tex., July 28, 1883. 



Disposition of carp eeceived. — I received 50 carp in the fall of 1879. My pond 

 covers 1^ acres, is from 2 to 16 feet deep, and has a muddy bottom, and is fed by springs. 

 There is but little water overflowrng. In the summer months the water gets very warm 

 on top, but is cold at the bottom. 



Plants. — It contains pond-lilies that have a broad leaf, but n(j grasses. 



Enemies. — It contains perch and frogs. I try to keep the frogs out. 



Food. — I give them corn-bread once or twice a week. 



Growth.— I suppose the old ones might weigh about 4 pounds each. 



Reproduction. — I had a large lot of young carp last summer. I have several thou- 

 sand of them still for sale, that are from 5 to 10 inches long, and will spawn next spring. 

 I have given away some and sold several hundred at a very small price. The ones that 

 hatched this year are now from 1 to 3 inches long. 



Difficulties. — The greatest difficulty has been to keep the snakes and frogs out. 



833. Statement of G. A. Vinn, Corsica. la, Navarro Co., Tex., Aug. 25, 1882. 



Disposition of carp received. — The carp itceivtd on January 16, 1882, 1 put in a 

 tank, and saw no more of them till late in May. My uiuk overflowed, and I found they 

 had gone. I put a screen across the waste-way. About 20 days ago we hud a very 

 heavy rain and part of the dam gave way. I Ibund one carp 1 2 inches loug lodged agaiusc 

 the screen. Last night there was another lodged against thescreen, measuring 14 inches. 

 I would not take $5 apiece for what remains if I could get no more. I cannot raise meat 

 half so cheap. 



834. Statement of L. T. Wheeler, Corsicana, Navarro Co., Ter., July 24, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 20 carp January 10, 1881, and have since 

 received from different sources 80. My pond covers an acre, and has a depth of from 6 

 to 20 feet, and a muddy bottom. It is supplied with rain water only. This is discharged 

 by a sluice, and protected with wire screen. The water gets quite hot in summer. I 

 am now constructing large ponds to raise carp for market. We make our ponds by solid 

 dirt embankments across ravines. They are simple in construction and furnish an ample 

 supply of water. Many ponds contain from 5 to 10 acres. 



Enemies. — I am troubled only with frogs and sun-perch. It is almost impossible to 

 construct a pond that will keep them out. 



Food. — From March to November I feed them twice a day on bread, vegetables, wheat, 

 barley, millet seed, &c. 



Growth. — The oldest, of which I have lost none, are more than 3 feet long, and weigh 

 from 20 to 25 pounds each. In this climate they weigh from 6 to 8 pounds when one 

 year old. 



Reproduction. —It is impossible to tell how many young there are, they are so nu- 

 merous. They are of all sizes. They begin spawning about I\Iay 10, and continue to 

 spawn tiU November 1. They spawn in shallow water, and I am preparing a special 

 pond with shallow water for propagation. 



Sales.— Carp are worth from 12i to 15 cents a pound here in the market, and there is 

 a very large and increasing demand. I can seU $300 to %bm worth next spring. It is 

 better than market gardening, as it is aU profit. I have succeeded beyond my most 

 sanguine expectations. 



835. Statement of L. T. Wheeler, Corsdana, Navarro Co., Tex., July 1, 1884. 



Ponds and Enemies.— I have now had 3.} years' experience in the raising and 

 hatching of German earn, and it may be that my experiments may be worth something 

 to others, particularly in the South. All still- water ponds should be as deep as possible 

 so as to prevent stagnation and to insure a certain supply of water when the rauilall is 

 alone to be depended upon. As it is next to impossible to keep out native tish, x had to 

 resort to partially artificial means to hatch and protect carp. 



Reproduction.— I have adopted the following plan with eminent success : 

 About the 1st of May, having first procured a quantity of long sea-moss 1 tie it lu 

 small bunches and lav it.in shallow water near the bank, attaching it safely to tlie oanii 



