[213] 



CAKP-CULTUEE IN THE UNITED STATES. 871 



Plants. — Some of the swamp-grass in the pond is destroyed by the fish rooting it. 



Enemies. — The pond is inhabited by frogs, snakes, and snapping-tnrtles, but no other 

 fish. Last summer I saw a snake catching young carp. 



Food. — Daily I give the carp meal, bran, corn-bread, and wheat-bread. 



Growth. — In the fall of 1881 1 had 38 carp remaining. "When I drained my pond last 

 fall I still had 38 of the original carp. Last February they would measure from 12 to 16 

 inches in length. 



Repkoduction. — I got only 53 young last season. They now measure 9 inches in 

 length. There aie in all the ponds a great number of young of various sizes which were 

 hatched this spring. 



Disposition of young. — The 53 young carp hatched last year I put in a small pond 

 by themselves. They are doing well, and the largest of them are 9 inches long. I put 

 150 young in 2 other ponds, and gave a neighbor 16. 



979. Statement of George W. T. Kearsley, Charlcstown, Jefferson Co., W. Va., July 25, 1883. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — All but one of the 20 leather carp that I received 

 in the winter of 1881 were lost. The 20 scale carp received the following summer I put 

 in a pond alxjut 60 or 70 feet in diameter, from 4 to 5 feet de«p in center, with a muddy 

 bottom. As no streams feed the pond, it is supplied with rain water, the temperature 

 of which varies with the weather. I have other ponds to receive young fish. 



Plants and enemies. — Mosses grow on the edges of the pond. It is inhabited by 

 frogs, but by no turtles nor other fish than carp. 



Food. — I give the carp boiled corn, chopped cabbage, and corn-bread as often as I deem 

 it necessary. 



Eepeoduction. — There are young in the pond this season. 



Difficulties. — When I received the carp it was very cold. Ice i an inch thick had 

 formed in the can. I fear many of the carp perished. I am not sure of but one old 

 carp still remaining. 



980. Statement of J. Ogdcn Murray, CJiarlestown, Jefferson Co., W. Va., Aug. 3, 1883. 



Growth and eepeoduction. — Carp sent to Mr. W. H. Moore some 12 months ago 

 are now from 10 to 15 inches long. We purpose eating them next season. There is a 

 great increase in the stock of fish sent him. 



981. Statement of William J. KnoU, ShepJterdstown, Jefferson Co., W. Va., Aug. 20, 1883. 



Disposition of carp eeceived. — On November 18, 1880, I received 20 carp. My 

 pond is about 70 yards in extent, has a muddy bottom, and is 2] feet deep. During a 

 portion of the year a spring supplies the pond with w ater. No plants grow in it. 



Enemies. — Turtles, frogs, and catfish inhabit the pond. I regard the hitter as in- 

 jurious, and intend to get them out. 



Food. — I do not feed the carp. 



Geowth. — After losing and giving away some of the original carp, I have 6 or 8 that 

 average from 14 to 16 inches in length. There are no young yet. 



982. Statement of B. A. Fleming, Fairmont, 3farion Co., W. Va., Nov. 20, 1882. 



Growth. — The 16 small carp that I received last spring are doing very well, and are 

 from 10 to 12 inches long. 



983. Statement of F. H. Eichards, Fairmont, 3Tarion Co., W. Va., July 26, 1883. 



Disposition of caep received. — In November, 1881, I received 61 carp, and 15 in 

 December, 1882. My pond is 60 feet square, from 5 to 7 feet deep, and is supplied with 

 cold spring water. 



Plants. — A number of water-plants and grasses grow in the pond. 



Enemies. — Frogs and turtles, but no other fish than carp inhabit the jxmd. I try 

 to destroy the turtles. 



Food. — Once or twice a day I give the carp corn-bread, corn-meal, potatoes, cabbage, 

 parsnips, beans, wheat-bread, and many other kinds of vegetables. 



Growth. — I have 60 of the original carp. In November, 1882, one year after they 

 were received, 2 of the carp measured 12 inches in length each. There are no young 

 yet. 



Difficulties. — It has been difficult to prevent the water from breaking the dam. I 

 am disappointed that they did not fill the pond with young this summer. 



