102 THE ANGLER AXD HUXTSMAX 



Aquatic Vegetation: 



"In all pond fish-cultural operations aquatic vegeta- 

 tion is a prime necessity. Aside from its extremely im- 

 portant function of purifying the water by. taking up the 

 carbonic gas liberated by decomposition and releasing the 

 oxygen so essential to all living organisms, it constitutes a 

 nursery for the development of a most acceptable and nec- 

 essary fish food in the form of minute organisms, both ani- 

 mals and plants. It furnishes the young fish a means of 

 escape from their enemies, shades them from the sun's rays 

 in warm weather, and the binding of the bottom soil by its 

 roots tends to keep the water clear. Its one objec- 

 tionable feature is that if allowed to grow too luxuriantly it 

 impedes the movements of the fish and is liable to smoth- 

 er the younger and weaker individuals. 



"As soon as the pond is completed and before the fish 

 are introduced therein, it will be advisable to start in it a 

 growth of some of the finer-leaved aquatic plants native 

 to the neighboring streams and lakes. Plants having 

 small foliage are preferable to those with large, regular 

 leaves, because they offer a greater surface expanse for 

 the exchange of gases. On account of their tendency to 

 drive out other forms of plant life, pond lilies are not rec- 

 ommended for fishponds. Cat-tails, grasses, and weeds 

 generally are to some extent beneficial, but it is very es- 

 sential that they be prevented from spreading over the en- 

 tire pond. 



Desirable Species of Aquatic Plants for Fishponds: 



"Such of the plants herein figured or mentioned as are 

 indigenous to local waters may advantageously be utilized 

 by the trout culturist, but, if none of these can be secured, 

 such other native forms as are available may be substituted. 

 Most forms of acquatic vegetation will readily grow from 

 cuttings. Hence the plants may be raked or pulled from 



