[187] 



CARP-CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 84-'^ 



but when they have learned the lesson they never refuse to put in an appearance at me" ' - 

 time. ' ' 



Growth and reproduction.— Of all sizes there are at present ahont ', a million 

 carp, with facilities for increasing the number as the demand for stoc;khig 'rivers and 

 private ponds increases. Of all fish it is the best adapted to our climate, both for suc- 

 cessful culture and large profit. 



Edible qualities. — The quality of its flesh depends upon the character of its food. 

 Carp in running streams or in ponds, where limited to mud or rank weeds for .subsist- 

 ence, are no better than the salt-water mullet; but it has lieen demonstrated by piscicult- 

 urists that when properly fed they are little if any inferior to salmon. 



MiscELLANEOU.s. — Of the importance of this fish as a iactor in the future food '■•ti;.,,ly 

 of Texas, too much cannot be said; and yet it would seem sufficient merely to sta:-- • '.nt. 

 in a pond only a few square rods in area, the farmer f;aii raise, Avitliout expense, more 

 carp than is sufficient to supply his family the year round. Indeed, we trust the day is 

 not far ofi" when the carp pond, shaded with big trees and willows, and decorated with 

 rose-bushes and flowers, will be the posse.ssion of every farmer who aspires to thrift, taste, 

 and good living. 



847. Statement of John B. Lrtblock, Austin, TrnviaCo., Tex., June 3, 18S4. 



Edible qualities. — We have tested fully the edible qualities of the German carp, 

 and all pronounce it a first-class fish and reasonably clear of bones. 



848. Statement of William Ba'dam, Austin, Travis Co., Tex., JuJy 23, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 16 carp in 1882, and 20 more July 1, 

 1883. The first lot were kept for a year in a well, 10 by 10 and ;"> feet deep. The water 

 was cold and they did not grow much. In January last I transferred them to a pond 

 .50 by 100 feet and 6 feet deep, with a bottom of black loam, verv' muddy. It is sup- 

 plied with irrigating water from the garden, and is always full. The water is Avarm on 

 top. I am going to make a pond 400 feet long and 100 feet broad, as I have plenty of 

 water. I am pumping, in dry weather, 750,000 gallons per day. 



Plants. — It contains caladium esculentum, grass, and willows, but not large enough 

 for shade. 



Enemies.— There are no other fish, but there are a few frogs and some craw-fi.sh in it. 



Food.— Once a week I throw in cabbage, lettuce, scraps, &c. In addition we give 

 them a little bread in the evening, when we call them with a bell. 



Growth. — While they were in the well they only grew to be from 4 to G inches long. 

 About January, 1883, I transferred the 13 old ones to the pond, and they are now from 8 

 to 12 inches long. In 7 months they have grown at least twice as large, and to be 4 

 times as heavy. I have seen in Germany all sizes of carp up to 40 or 60 poiinds, but 

 find that carp grow here in Texas at least twice as fiist as in l^urope. 



Miscellaneous. — I bought a good lot of water-plants and put them in the pond, but 

 the carp killed them entirely by eating ofi" the tops. The little carp I received this sum- 

 mer we put in the pond with the others. I am going to make a pond 400 by 100 feet, 

 and make carp-raising and selling a business. 



849. Statement of J. B. Eoger>^, Duval. Tmri, Co., Tex.. Dec. 10, 1880. 



Growth. — One of the carp, 4 inches long, reooved 11 months ago has reached the 

 astonishing length of202 inches and weighs 4 pounds and 11 ounces. 



850. Statement of Chan, von Bosenherfj, MancJtaca, Travis Co., Tex., Aug. 10, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — Four years ago I received 10 scale cai-p and have 

 received some mirror carp.sinc.e. I haveS tanks at the head of a little branch covering ', 

 of an acre each, and with a depth of from 3 to 8 feet deep and a muddy bottom. There 

 is no water flowing through them except after hard rains. 



Enemies. — They contain frogs, turtles, and snakes. A good many carp have been de- 

 stroyed by wild fowls. 



Reproduction. — There are about 4 or 5 of the original lot left, and they have pro- 

 duced a good many young this year. 1 have sold about 2,000. 1 think the scale carp 

 thrive the best. 



851. Statement of P. S. Clarice, 31. D., Hempstead, WaNer Co., T<x.. Ji'f;/ :UK 1883. 



Disposition of carp received.— I received 20 carp in December, 1879. My pool 

 not being ready I kept them in a wooden tank until September 28. 1880, when I put 



