30 AQUATIC PLANTS IN POND CULTURE. 
The claim of superiority of a raft over the boat ordinarily used 
for the same purpose seems well founded and leads to the suggestion 
that a shallow scow of dimensions to suit conditions, with deck and 
side rails, would also allow the water to drain off as the deck is loaded 
with vegetation and would be more easily handled. Rapid movement 
in the comparatively small ponds of the fish culturist not being 
essential, trucks might be attached to the bottom of the scow for con- 
venience in drawing it ashore or from one pond to another. 
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Fic. 31.—Raft in use at Mammoth Spring, Ark., station for carrying the loosened vegeta- 
tion to shore. For description see text. 
At the San Marcos station the removal of aquatic vegetation is 
accomplished with an ordinary scythe, the men going into the water 
and cutting the growth as closely as possible. For cutting the heavier 
vegetation at a distance from the embankments a scythe is sometimes 
attached to a piece of three-quarter-inch iron piping from 10 to 30 
feet in length, the latter being spread at the end to hold the shank of 
the scythe, which is riveted to it with two small bolts. Hand rakes, 
especially made from 4-tined hayforks, are then used, care being 
taken to examine each rakeful of foliage for young fish. An especi- 
ally made iron rake shown in the accompanying illustration has also 
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Fic. 32.—Iron rake in use at San Marcos, Tex., station. For description see text. 
proved a very effective implement. The main bar, 3 inches in diame- 
ter and 8 feet long, is set with 15 teeth 15 inches long, ana forms the 
diagonal of a square frame, at the two remaining corners of which is 
fixed an iron ring. With a strong rope through each ring, the rake 
is drawn from one side of the pond to the other, making an 8-foot 
swath. Two men are usually required on each side of the pond to 
manipulate the rake. 
At the Cold Springs (Ga.) station there is but one pond in which 
vegetation (Myriophyllum) is sufficiently dense to necessitate its 
removal prior to seining for the young fish. In this pond it grows 
