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CARP-CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 867 



962. Siafement of L. Tripkit, jr., ML Jackson, Shenandoah Co., Va., Aug. 9, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — In December, 1880, I received 14 caq), and 20 

 n^ore in the spring; of 1881. Myx>ond measures from 200 to 270 feet in leufjth, from 00 

 to 75 feet in width, from G to 8 feet in depth, and has a mucky bottom. There is very 

 little flow of water through the pond, except in the spring of the year. 



Plants. — No plants grow in the pond, but it is shaded by woods. 



Enemies. — Bull-l'rogs and terrapins inhabit the pond. It contains no other fish. 



Food. — I feed the carp on wheat bran, which they seem to relish and come for like 

 pigs. During the first 2 years I gave them nothing in addition to what blew into the 

 pond from the adjoining grain fields. 



Growth. — In September, 1882, several of the original carp each weighed from 6 to 

 6| pounds. 



Reproduction. — The pond swarms with young, which vary in size and weigh from 

 5 to 6 pounds. 



Distribution of young. — I gave some young to 2 parties, who placed them in 

 ponds with catfish. 



963. Statement of George W. lioscnberger, Kciv Market, Shenandoah Co., Va., Sept. 20,1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — In November, 1882, I received 61 carp, 20 of which 

 were obtained from the Government, the rest from friends. My pond is 60 feet in diam- 

 eter, 3 feet deep, with a muddy bottom, and is su^jplied with water from fields as water- 

 sheds. 



Plants. — The pond contains moss, but since the carp have been placed there it has 

 disappeared. 



Enemies. — The pond contains plenty of frogs and small lizards, but no other fish 

 than carp. 



Food. — I do not feed the carp, but they are supplied with food by the 20 to 40 head 

 of cattle that get water from the pond. 



Growth. — With a dip-net I caught 7 carp, 2 of which measured, respectively, 131 

 and 14 inches in length and weighed 2-} jx)uuds. I think that the cultivation of carp ex- 

 ceeds in the amount of food which is produced that of anything else from the same area 

 of land employed. In November, 1882, the carp which I put in my pond measured only 

 from Ij to 2.] inches in length. 



Edible qualities.— We ate one fried in lard. The quality was good. 



Miscellaneous. — I have also constructed a lake to be fed by a spring. It is 42 yards 

 long by 10 wide. It contains Nymphxa alba, Cijperus atrovivens, and Leersia oryzoides. 



964. Statement of George W. Eosenberger, New Blarket, Shenandoah Co., Va., 3far. 4, 1884. 



Growth. — In a still-water pond, and a fresh-water lake that is fed by a spring, I have 

 90 carp which average about 20 inches in length and 3 pounds in weight. They are 

 beautiful fish, and grow rapidly. 



Hibernation. — They hibernated about December 1, 1883. I was able to see plenty 

 of them almost any time in February, 1884. On throwing bread upon the water, they 

 would come up after it verj-^ reiKlily. 



965. Statement of Frank S. Robertson, Abingdon, Washington Co., Va., July 27, 1883. 



Disposition of carp received. — I received 14 carp in December, 1880, and 20 more 

 in April, 1883. My pond is 40 by 100 feet, with an average depth of feet and a muddy 

 bottom. It is supplied with a 3- inch stream of water from a lx)ld limestone spring 120 

 yards distant. The temperature of the water is SIP. The young carp received in April, 

 1883, died in the box in which I placed them while the pond was being drained. 



Plants. — The pond contains the usual variety of grasses ; orchard grass was sown 

 around its banks. 



Enemies. — Plenty of frogs and sometimes turtles and muskrats, but no other fish 

 than carp inhabit the pond. In the craw of an Indian hen, or green heron, which is the 

 most destractive of the fish-eating birds, I found 4 young carp. 



Food. — The carp receive sustenance from the milk washings that flow into the pond 

 in addition to the meal, and corn and wbeat-liread which I give them. 



Growth. — I drew off the water from the pond in June, 1882, and found 12 of the 14 

 original carp. But there are now only 3 remaining, all but 2 of the others having died 

 in the box in which they were kept. These also died soon after being replaced in the 

 pond, from injuries received in the box. Each of these 3 measure about 20 inches in 

 length and weigh about 5 pounds. 



