876 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [218] 



1006. Statement of John B. Knapp, Stamford, Fairfield Co., Conn., Oct. 1, 1884. 



Geowth and eepeoduction. — I stocked Crystal Lake with leather carp about 4 

 years ago. A few days ago most of the wat«r was drawn off for the purjKwe of repair- 

 ing the dam preparatory to the expected ice-harvest. It was found that the lake was 

 literally swarming with fish, the largest from 5 to 6 pounds in weight, and from that 

 down to the size of the young of this season. 



Miscellaneous. — This is really an important incident in relation to the food supply. 

 The experiment so successful here may be repeated indefinitely, and a new supply of 

 eaccelleut food-fish be available at a price within reach of all. 



1007. Sfutenient of J. H. Post, Gainesville, Alachua Co., Fla., Deo. 8, 1884. 



Geowth and eepeoduction. — I have 5 large scale carp that were 3 years old last 

 spring, and which now weigh from 6 to 8 pounds each. I have raised about 100 young 

 from them this season. 



1008. Statement of A. S. Baldwin, Jacksonville, Duval Co., Fla., Dec. 18, 1881. 



Disposition of caep eeceived. — Early in February, 1881, I obtained 12 carp and 

 placed them in an inclosure in my pond. This inclosure was made of laths nailed closely 

 together on scantling, with the lower ends projecting into the muddy bottom. Subse- 

 quently these 12 carp escaped into my ]-acre pond. In about 6 weeks after I planted 

 the fii"st lot of carp I procured 6 other carp, which I also deposited in the inclosure, hav- 

 ing previously repaired it. j 



Plants. — In the pond there is a most luxuriant growth of vegetation, so much so that 

 about every month I am obliged to have the pond raked so as to prevent a displacement 

 of so much of the water. This surplus vegetation is thrown upon the banks and used 

 in fertilizing my farm. Among the plants are sweet-scented white lily (Nymphsea 

 odorata), common yellow pond-lily {Kuphar advena), water-shield (Brasenia pcltaiu), 

 water-nymph {JS'dias Jlexilis), 3 varietias of bladderwort (Utrieularia), arrowhead {Sagit- 

 taria naituiis), and many other varieties who.se names have not been determined. The 

 cells of the Utrieularia are full of black seed, which, probably, furnish food for the carp. 



Food. — I led the last lot of carp daily, while those that escaped into the pond were 

 sustained only by the natural productions of it. They are very fond of .sweet potatoes, 

 cooked in any manner, and also boiled cabbage. There is a large quantity of muck on 

 the bottom of the \H)ud, that, no doubt, contains many small insects and other forms of 

 animal life, wliich, with the seeds of a^juatic plants, furnish them much food. 



Geowth. — My man informed me that while raking the pond last tall he captured 2 

 fish, which, from the description given of them, I think must have been carp. But as 

 their size was so much larger than I supj)0sed possible I was yet in doubt as to their 

 identity. He did not show me the fish, but returned them to the water. I daily sought 

 for them, and at length I discovered 2 fish swimming together near the bottom. They 

 were each at least a foot long and were survivors of the first lot. I then began to feed 

 them, and they would come and suck in bits of bread, &c., floating on the water. I 

 then opened my inclosure and let the 5 remaining carp into the pond. Although I had 

 fed the carp in the inclosure daily, and had not given the carp in the pond any artificial 

 food whatever, the latter were double the size of the former. I do not know how many 

 Off the original carp are in the pond, but I think that all of them remain. Some of them 

 are at least 18 inches long and weigh 5 pounds, while all of them are more than 12 

 inches in length. 



Reproduction. — For some time past I have seen numerous small fish swimming at 

 the bottom, and, from their shape and manner of taking food, I have reason to believe 

 that they are young carp. They are about 3 or 4 inches long. 



How to catch carp. — I have taken, with a hook and line, 3 carp and put each of 

 them back again. They were over a foot long and very heavy and solid. I tried to 

 catch some of the young with small hooks, but both the bait and hooks were taken off 

 by the large carp. 



Miscellaneous. — I believe carp are adapted to the inland lakes and streams of Flor- 

 ida. The only apprehension I have, is the vor.icious character of the fish that inhabit 

 many of our jwnds, but in my iwnd the carp command the situation. The cat and perch 

 have almost disappeared, while months ago, whenever I threw food in the pond, they 

 would come and eat it. But now, as soon as the carp approach, the cat instantly make 

 way for them. The cat are not as plenty as in former days ; for I have frequently been 

 in the habit of catching them with hook and line. I suppose I caught over 20U during 

 last spring and summer. I doubt not but that the cat will yet be exterminated. The 

 carp have given no evidence of hibernating, and seem to care little for what lood I throw 

 in the pond. 



