CHAPTER XX. OF FISH-PONDS, AND HOW TO 



ORDER THEM 



PISCATOR 



DOCTOR LEBAULT, the learned Frenchman, in his large 

 discourse of 'Maison Rustique,' gives this direction for 

 making of Fish-ponds ; I shall refer you to him to read 

 it at large, but I think I shall contract it, and yet make it as 

 useful. 



He adviseth, that when you have drained the ground, and 

 made the earth firm where the head of the Pond must be, that 

 you must then in that place, drive in two or three rows of oak 

 or elm piles, which should be scorched in the fire, or half burnt 

 before they be driven into the earth; for being thus used, it 

 preserves them much longer from rotting ; and having done so, 

 lay faggots or bavins of smaller wood betwixt them, and then 

 earth betwixt and above them, and then having first very well 

 rammed them and the earth, use another pile in like manner as 

 the first were: and note, that the second pile, is to be of, or 

 about the height that you intend to make your Sluice or Flood- 

 gate, or the vent that you intend shall convey the overflowings 

 of your Pond, in any flood that shall endanger the breaking of 

 the Pond-dam. 



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 



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