Lhe Stock.-* FiJh Ponds.- Methods of Stocking, 



are thofe of the fpring and autumn. Some advife in thefe cafes the flocking with 

 carp or tench in the proportion of three to afquare perch.* 



Jn firfl (locking large ponds or waters,as where they are of the extent of three 

 .or four acres, carp,in the proportion of three hundred to the acre are recommended; 

 but where they do not extend to fuch fizes, not fo great a proportion. And in 

 Hocking, after two or three years, four hundred to the acre.f 



Where the ponds are fuitable for tench, the firll flocking with them in fuch 

 cafes may be rather more, and in the re-flockings confiderably more, as feven or 

 eight hundred to the acre. 



As perch are great breeders, in firfl flocking with them fix hundred to the acre 

 may be fufrtcient. In Berklhire, where there are many ponds for the preferving of 

 fifh, they ufually flock with carp or tench in the proportion of one hundred to the 

 acre, the filh remaining four years in them.* But in the management of Sir Harry 

 Featherflone, in SufTex, in a pond of twenty acres reduced to fixteen by the depofi- 

 tion of mud, the flock is generally in the proportion of twelve hundred carp and 

 an equal number of tench; or at the rate of feventy-five brace to the acre. And 

 in this proportion they are faid to fucceed well. Where pike does not form any 

 part of the flock of ponds care mould however always be taken not to overftock, 

 as where thefe forts of fifli have not an abundant fupply of food they never anfwer 

 well. When taken from clofe- flocked ponds a larger proportion (hould likewife 

 be employed than in other cafes. 



The waters of fcrne ponds are better adapted to raifing fome forts pf fifh than 

 others. Thus, thofe where the water is rich and white are more adapted for 

 carp ; while fuch as have a thicker appearance, and where there is a greater depo- 

 fition of muddy matter, are better fuited to tench. Perch are capable of being raifed 

 in almoflany fort of ponds. Eels fucceed befl where the ponds are not very large, 

 but where fed by a fpring, and there is a large portion of rich fediment. Pike 

 mould never be kept in ponds with carp or tench, but in feparate breeding-ponds, 

 where the fupplies of fmall fry are confiderable and not wanted for ftores. 



Carp, tench, and perch are the forts principally cultivated with a view to profit, 

 with a few eels occafionally. But perch and eels fhould not be admitted where 

 *he ponds are but thinly flocked, as they are great devourers of the young fifh. 



Carp and tench anfwer befl; together where the extents of the ponds are pretty 



* Annals of Agriculture, TO!, xxxix. i Ibid. J Ibid. vol. xli. Ibid. vol. xxxiii. 



