[195] CARP-CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 85o 



885. Statement of Shoiwell Powell, Keysville, Charlotte Co., V((., Jujy\ri, 1,S8.'5. 



Disposition of carp eeceived.— I received 20 carp in the iUll of 1881 and "0 uiuie 

 in the fall of 1882. The first lot I put in several ponds varyinjr in size In conse- 

 quence of the dams breaking I lost all of them. The ponds are supplied with an inch 

 flow ot cool water from a never-tailing spring. 



Plants and enemies.— The pond («ntains plants that are indigenous here. Small 

 fish, minnows, frogs, and turtles that are common to small streams inhabit tlic pond.' 



Food. — A few times I have given the carp bread, crackers, and meal in small (luan- 

 tities. 



Difficulties.— The most serious difficulty I have experienced is from an oversupi)lv 

 of water. 



886. Statement of Leonard P. Wheat, Berrijville, Clarke Co., Va., Juhj 2.5, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received.— In November, 1879, I received 3 dozen «irp and 

 placed them in a cold-spring pond, serpentine in form, and covering about IJ acres, in a 

 rich meadow. The bottom is composed of clay and gravel. One million gallons of 

 water, the temperature of which is 60° F., flow through the pond daily. 



Plants. — Water-cress and a prodigious growth of horse-mint grow in the narrow 

 parts of the pond. 



Enemies. — The pond is inhabited by frogs and musk-rats. The latter are very de- 

 structive to the carp. 



Food. — Plenty of food washes into the pond from the contiguous barn-yards and grain- 

 fields. 



Growth. — I have 3 or 4 of the original carp. The largest of them weigh about 3 

 pounds. 



Reproduction. — Large quantities of young have been produced. . 



Difficulties. — I have exterminated musk-rats many times, but they constantly re- 

 appear. I would like to procure English badger dogs with which to hunt them. 



887. Statement of J. J. 3Iosby, Culpeper Court House, Culpeper Co., Va., July 26, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — On November 1, 1879, 1 received IC, scale carp; on 

 November 1, 1880, IG more, and on November 11, 1881, 21 mirror carp. My pond covers 

 about 4 acres and is from 2 to 16 feet deep. A muddy ditch 4 feet deep, 12 feet wide, 

 and 150 feet long extends through its center. A 6-iuch flow of water from a never-tailing 

 spring supplies the pond. 



Plants and enemies. — The pond contains plants indigenous here. It is inhabited 

 by frogs, but by no other fish than carp. One carp was killed in shallow water while 

 spawning. 



Food. — At irregular times I give the carp corn-bread, potatoes, wheat, corn, and refuse 

 from the table. 



GrROWTH AND REPRODUCTION. — On July 14, 1882, all of the original carp were in the 

 pond. One weighed 7i pounds and was 22 inches in length. A great many young are 

 in my pond. 



Miscellaneous. — On April 30, 1882, I transferred the larger ones to a small spawn- 

 ing pond which covers about -} acre, leaving the large pond dry until July 14, 1882, in 

 order to destroy all other fish eggs. 



888. Statement of 31. Flanagan, Flanagan's 3f ills, Cumberland Co., Va., July 27, 1883. 



Disposition op carp received. — In 1879 I received 8 pair carp, and 9 pair since. 

 I put them in a 153-acre mill-pond of clear water, with a muddy bottom. It has a full 

 supply of water. 



Plants. — There is no dock in pond, but grass groAvs in the several acres of the marsh. 



Enemies. — Pond bass weighing from 1 to 12 pounds each, silver and yellow perch up 

 to 4;T pounds each, masons, catfish, pike, creek mullets, frogs, terrapins, and turtles in- 

 habit the pond. 



Food. — I give the carp no food. 



Difficulties. — The number of carp put in the pond was too small for its size. 



889. Statement of George S. Bernard, Secretary Petershurg Fish and Game Protection As.soeia- 

 tion, Petersburg, Dinwiddle Co., Va., Oct. 29, 1881. 



Growth.— The carp that we received in the fall of 1880, and which wc placed in the 

 City Park lake about December 1, 1880, seem to be promising very well. A few days 



