10 PRACTICAL CARP CtTLTUBE. 



varieties than of the scale variety. Second, because even the scale 

 variety in its progeny tends toward the leather and mirror varieties, and 

 adds largely to their ranks. It is also true that the mirror and leather 

 varieties in their progeny frequently contribute to the scale-clad tribe, 

 but not in as great proportion as the scale variety contributes to them. 



The cuts used here were made expressly for use in this work, by Hugo 

 Mulertt, of Cincinnati, O., who made the drawings from live carp raised 

 in Ohio, and persons at all familiar with carp will recognize how perfectly 

 true they are to life. 



The question most frequently asked by persons about to stock a pond 

 ia "which variety is best?" This is a question that no culturist in this 

 country, unless governed by prejudice or a selfish motive, is prepared to 

 decide. No German authority that we know of has ever attempted to 

 decide it. The varieties stand out like the favorite breeds of poultry. Men 

 are partial to old friends (the kind they have) because unfamiliar with 

 the varieties of those he knows only by reputation. We have thousands 

 of letters coming from every State and Territory in the Union, from 

 honest men, and true, and men of fine discernment, and each is perfectly 

 satisfied with that variety which he produces, and has no criticism for the 

 varieties that others produce. Our own conviction is, that all pure- 

 blooded varieties are excellent, and that even with the eye of your judg- 

 ment closed, you can not make a mistake in your selection. 



The golden carp and blue carp are two varieties but little known in 

 this country. We are not aware that any golden carp were ever brought to 

 America. The United States Fish Commission did, however, in January, 

 1883, import some blue carp, only four, however, were alive on the 9th of 

 February of the same year, and they were badly diseased; hearing noth- 

 ing further of them, it is quite probablo that they died. 



