538 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISUERIES. [6] 
In order to dispel the erroneous idea that I obtain the above-men- 
tioned results only by going to a great expense, I will mention that for 
tending the Kanidw ponds of 450 acres I only employ one assistant, 
and that for the 22 acres of ponds which I rent I only employ one per- 
son as awatchman. During autumn, when there is more danger from 
fish thieves, and during winter, when holes have to be cut in the ice, I 
generally employ an extra assistant for the Kanidw ponds. 
Even while under water the ponds do not merely serve piscicultural 
purposes, but also, in a narrower sense, assist agricultural objects. 
As soon as spring sets in, and the ponds are released from their icy 
yoke, varied life begins to stir in the water; manifold aquatic birds 
begin to make their appearance with the first warm rays of the sun; 
insect-life begins to awaken, and a grand and mysterious activity is 
developed in the ponds. Long before the land casts offits wintry mantle, 
the ponds as far as the water reaches are clothed with verdure, as a 
welcome indic¢ation to the farmer that the time is near, when after a hard 
winter he will, as stock-raiser, derive advantage from his ponds, in the 
cheap, profitable and ample pastures they will furnish. As soonas the 
water has lost its icy temperature, which does not agree with cattle, they 
may be allowed to go into the ponds, where, wading about, they seek 
their food. They are thus not only benefited themselves, but through 
their excrements, dropped here and there, they indirectly benefit the 
fish. By treading about in the muddy bottom they stirit up, and thus 
enable the fish to catch more readily worms and other aquatic animal- 
cula which serve as fish-food. Cows generally become accustomed to 
these pond-pastures very quickly, and actually show eagerness to go 
into the water, which from a sanitary point of view, also, is beneficial to 
them. No one, who has not seen it himself, would believe with what 
delight cows take their bath, eagerly eating all the while, until they are 
satisfied and seek a place of rest in the higher portions of the pond. 
Even if the number of cattle is very large, they are not able to destroy 
the luxuriant growth of grass and reeds; and the farmer will soon have 
to place them in another pond where the grass is younger and more 
tender. As soon as cows enter a new pond, they will act like boys just 
let out of school. The new pond, a veritable terra imcognita for them, 
is eagerly explored in every direction, until they seem to have taken all 
its bearings, when their appetite returns and they begin to graze. The 
wild ducks, scared away by the first noisy approach of the cattle, again 
enter the pond and boldly swim about close to the grazing animals, 
whilst the carp peacefully seeks its food, without being inthe least 
frightened by either ducks or cattle. Such a pond therefore resembles 
a small but harmonious and happy community, whereevery one is doing 
well and feels contented, and lives on the most friendly footing with his 
neighbor, much as he may differ from him in nature and habits. Below 
‘the surface, however, and hidden from the eyes of the humam observer, 
‘a terrible war for existence is waged among the diminutive animalcula 
which fill the water of the pond. 
