854 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [196] 



ago, the keeper of the park with» hook and line caught 2 of them, each measuring 

 from 16 to 18 inches in length. 



890. Statement of B. A. Martin, Petersburg, Dinwiddie Co., Va., Feb. 15, 1884 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — About the month of December, 1880, a committee 

 of the Petersburg Fish and Game Association removed all other fish from the lake at 

 the Central Park and placed in this lake some 2 dozen young carp. These fish were 

 then irom 2 to 4 inches in length. About last November a few more young carp, meas- 

 uring from 2 to 3 inches long, were placed in this lake by the association. 



Food. — During the last few weeks these fish, both of the first lot and of the last lot, 

 have made their appearance in shoals near the edge of the lake whenever bread would 

 be thrown to them, their beautiful movements in the water proving a constant source of 

 interest to visitors. 



Growth. — In the month of October, 1881, 2 of these fish were captured, and measured 

 from 12 to 18 inches in length. 



How to catch cabp. — I have never yet caught fish with rod and line which inti- 

 mated by its actions that it was less ready to give up the struggle for liberty than the 

 carp. They fight long, and are game to the very last. I used a cork on my line as in 

 fishing for chub, pike, and other game fish. They do not bite at the hook like other fish 

 of the sucker kind, but take the hook more like the chub. To laud a carp weighing 

 from 3 to 3 j pounds requires the use of good tackle. It was found that these fish would 

 not bite at worms nor minnows, but would at bread, and that the best bread with which 

 to bait the hook is the crust of a baker's loaf or roll, fastened on the hook with the crust 

 side up. 



Among the gentlemen present -at the park lake at the capture of the fish was Mr. W. 

 E. Wells, who caught some of the carp, and says that, as a source of amusement with 

 the hook and line, they are superior to any fish he ever saw. 



891. Statement of Emanuel H. Jones, Fairfax C. H., Fairfax Co., Va., July 25, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — The 20 carp which I received on May 1, 1881, I 

 put in a pond 60 by 25 ieet, with a depth of from 6 inches to 3 feet. It has a muddy 

 bottom and is fed by a constantly-running spring 20 yards distant. 



Plants. — There are rushes and swamp-grass in the pond. 



Enemies. — The ponds contains common frogs, but no fish nor turtles. Craw- fish let 

 the water escape from the pond by cutting holes through the bank. 



Food. — Once or twice a week I give the Cixrp wheat, corn, corn-bread, and wheat 

 bread. • 



Growth. — I have been unable to see more than 5 of the original carp, which are the 

 size of the common shad. 



Difficulties. — I am at a loss to understand why my carp have not spawned. 



892. Statement of G. W. Bell, Herndon, Fairfax Co., Va., July 25, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eecetved. — The 20 carp that I received in April, 1882, I put 

 in a pond 22 by 60 feet, having a muddy bottom with a depth of from 2 to 4 feet. A 

 ^-inch stream of very cold water flows through it. 



Plants. — Yellow lilies and cat-tail rushes grow in the pond. The pond is not inhab- 

 ited by an.>-thing that injures or destroys the carp. 



Food. — They are never fed except when we wish to see them. 



Growth and reproduction. — The 20 original carp each measures from 10 to 14 

 inches. There are 200 or more young in the pond, each about 5 inches long. 



Difficulties. — I have had great diificulty to prevent dams made with stone and 

 cement from leaking, and will again use planks in the pond I am preparing. 



Miscellaneous. — I propose stocking streams in this vicinity with carp. 



893. Statement of R. Welby Carter, Upperville, Fauquier Co., Va., July 31, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eecefved. — The 20 carp which I received in April, ISSl, I put 

 in a 5-acre ice-pond with a depth of 3 feet. The bottom is composed of sand, clay, and 6 

 inches of mud. It is warm in summer, and is on the side of a small branch. 



Plants and enemies. — Common water-grasses grow on the edges of the pond. It is 

 infested by bull-frogs. 



Food. — When I feed the carp, which is not often, I give them corn-bread, corn, and 

 wheat. 



