140 Tliirf //-Second Annual Meetiiuj 



pond is only six iVet deep, and when we draw it down as low as 

 possible we still have two feet left. We cannot draw the watei- out 

 of our ponds, because we have not the drainage, and when we draw 

 them that way we seine off everything ; and I think perhaps it is 

 beneficial in one way: we do not run all the food out our pond>. 

 When we draw a pond down the food is still in there, and then 

 we seine out every minnow; and I do not know but what it is 

 well to leave some water in the pond — although I have not any 

 pond that I can draw clear down; but I know by not drawing 

 them clear down we have lots of vegetation left, and it starts up 

 quicker than it otherwise would. 



Mr. Clark : I do not think there is any question but what 

 Mr. Lydell would, if he could, have every pond so that he could 

 draw every drop of water out, not that perhaps he would want 

 to do it every wintx?r, as Mr. Leary does, but it is preferable to 

 have the pond so that you can draw the water all out for repairs 

 or otherwise. 



But the main point it seems to me in regard to this matter 

 is, what is the depth — should the bass have fifteen or six feet. 

 Now would Mr. Lydell, if he could, have twelve to fifteen feet 

 of water in his pond ? 



Mr. Lydell : Yes, sir. 



Mr. Clark : Would Mr. Dean ? 



Mr. Dean : Yes, sir. 



Mr. Clark (to ^Ir. Beeman) : What would you say? 



Mr. Beeman : Our ponds have a depth of eight feet over the 

 kettle, and they worked very successfully last winter. 



Mr. Clark: Would you have it deeper if you could? 



Mr. Beeman : I do not see any absolute need for it. 



Mr. Lydell : Do you think the depth of the pond has any- 

 thing to do with the successful propagation of bass ? 



Mr. Leary: No, except you want to keep the water from 

 freezing at the bottom ; and in a warm climate to have no dead 

 water for big fish to go in. You can have it three feet or 100 

 feet deep if you can draw the ponds off, but it is necessary to 

 draw them off and get everything out of them. Climatic condi- 

 tions must be taken into consideration. Aquatic plants grow 

 very profusely wth me, but not so with you, but you can have 

 the water any depth you please, provided you can draw your 



