CHAP. XX. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 321 



the spawn of the Carp and Teach, when 'tis left to the 

 mercy of clacks or vermin. 



lie 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, run- 

 ning or falling into it. By which, fish are more inclined 

 both to breed; and are also refreshed and fed the bet- 

 ter ; 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 al' pools it is best for fish to have 

 some retiring place ; as namely, hollow banks, or 

 shelves, or routs of trees ; to keep them from danger, 

 and, when they think fit, from the extreme heat of the 

 summer, as also, from the extremity of cold in winter. 

 And note, That if many trees be growing about your 

 pond, the leaves thereof 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 lie dry, six, or twelve months, both to kill 

 the water-weeds, as water lilies, candocks, reate and 

 bulrushes, that breed there ; and also that as these die 

 for want of water, so grass may grow in the pond's bot- 

 tom, which Carps will eat greedily in all the hot months 

 if the pond be clean. The letting your pond dry, and 

 sowing oats in the bottom, is also good, for the 

 fish feed the faster. And being sometimes let dry, you 

 may observe what kind of fish either increases or thrives 

 best in that water ; for they differ much, both in their 

 breeding and feeding. 



Lebault also advices, That if your ponds be not very 

 large and roomy, that you, often, feed yoifr fish, by 

 throwing into them clappings of bread, curds, grains, 



