The Fifth Day 199 



Then he advises, that you plant willows or 

 owlers, about it, or both : and then cast in bavins, 

 in some places not far from the side, and in the 

 most sandy places, for fish both to spawn upon, 

 and to defend them and the young fry from the 

 many fish, and also from vermin, that lie at watch 

 to destroy them, especially the spawn of the Carp 

 and Tench, when 'tis left to the mercy of ducks or 

 vermin. 



He, and Dubravius, and all others advise, that 

 you make choice of such a place for your pond, 

 that it may be refreshed with a little rill, or with 

 rain water, running or falling into it ; by which 

 fish are more inclined both to breed, and are also 

 refreshed and fed the better, and do prove to be 

 of a much sweeter and more pleasant taste. 



To which end it is observed, that such pools as 

 be large and have most gravel, and shallows where 

 fish may sport themselves, do afford fish of the 

 purest taste. And note, that in all pools it is best 

 for fish to have some retiring place ; as namely, 

 hollow banks, or shelves, or roots of trees, to keep 

 them from danger, and, when they think fit, from 

 the extreme heat of summer ; as also from the ex- 

 tremity of cold in winter. And note, that if many 

 trees be growing about your pond, the leaves there- 

 of falling into the water, make it nauseous to the 

 fish, and the fish to be so to the eater of it. 



'Tis noted, that the Tench and Eel love mud ; 

 and the Carp loves gravelly ground, and in the 

 hot months to feed on grass. You are to cleanse 

 your pond, if you intend either profit or pleasure, 

 once every three or four years, especially some 

 ponds, and then let it dry six or twelve months, 

 both to kill the water-weeds, as water-lilies, can- 

 docks, reate, and bulrushes, that breed there ; and 

 also that as these die for want of water, so grass 



