PRACTICAL CARP OULTI7RE. 21 



the bed of the water course, and beyond the reach of its overflow. It is 

 usually practical, then, to build a series of ponds either on the same or 

 different levels. If on different levels, the ponds both overflow and drain 

 into each other to the lowest one; in time of need this will be found a 

 great economizing of water. If on the same level, or nearly so, each pond 

 must have its own supply pipe and drain directly into the bed of the water 

 course. Supply and drain pipes to each pond, whether on the same or 

 different levels, are both desirable and advantageous to the culturist. It 

 gives him absolute control f each pond independent of any of the others. 



SKY POXDS. 



These ponds form quite a class of the successful carp ponds of 

 America. Th^y are dependent nearly, or entirely on the rainfall and the 

 water shed from adjnce*nt land.i. Here husbanding if the water is every- 

 thing. It is accomplished chiefly by making the pond bottom and em- 

 bankments of soil impermeable to water, so that the only loss is by evap- 

 oration. Without such bottoms and banks this class of ponds must fail. 

 They fill slowly, unless in very wet weather. Where they receive the 

 water shed of considerable territory they should be protected against sud- 

 den inundation in heavy rainfalls by side ditches with sluice-gates lead- 

 ing to the pond, so that when these gates are closed the shpd-wa*er is 

 carried off beyond the dam and made powerless for evil to the pond andl 

 its inhabitants. The water supply of these ponds maybe greatly rein- 

 forced by a windmill supplying a cattle trough from the well, and the 

 overflow of the trough conducted to the pond. 



Below or to one side of the main p^nd of such an establishment 

 should always be a pond or two of considerable depth, but the surface 

 need not be great. Then in the drawing and fishing of the main pond 

 you will not be caught with dry weather or a freeze-up in winter, with 

 your stock on hand ana no pl^ce to safely quarter them. The lower or 

 side ponds need be but little below the level of the main pond. If empty 

 at the drawing off of the main pond they can be rilled with the first water 

 taken from the high-water level by means of pipes or sluices constructed 

 for that purpose. These smaller ponds will be of great advantage, too, as 

 breeding and hatching ponds, or as reservoirs for stock and market fish. 



SPRING- PONDS. 



The size of these ponds should be in proportion to the amount of 

 water flowing from the springs, bearing in mind that the evaporation and 

 absorption every hour is equal to about 250 gallons to the acre. The rain- 

 fall and water shed off the immediate vicinity will contribute to the 

 water supply. If the height of the springs will permit it, the water com- 

 ing Irorn them during the warm months should be broken, aerated and 

 warmed by falling on wire netting and passing over rocks before reaching 

 the pond. In cold months remove the obstructions and let the inflow bfe 



