50 PRACTICAL CARP CULTURE. 



The crawfish not only prey on the eggs and small fish, but are a con- 

 stant menace to the dams and embankments of ponds. Many means 

 have been devised to prevent their boring the dams; such as a 

 close sheeting of lumber in the dam; lining the inside of the 

 dam with clippings from a tin shop, on the plan of shingling a build- 

 ing, one course overlaping the other; either of these will undoubtedly aid 

 in preventing their work, but in instances both have failed. The best 

 method we know of completely circumventing them, is in constructing 

 the embankments, beginning at the pond bottom lay a course of fine sand 

 from 8 to 12 inches wide clear up through to the inner breast of the top 

 of the dam. The clay or loam of the dam must not be allowed to mix with 

 this sand vein, boards set up on edge along side of stakes and raised with 

 the dam and the sand vein will facilitate the keeping of them apart. A 

 dam thus completed has the regular material of the dam on either side of 

 the sand vein, the great bulk being on the outer side. The crawfish begins 

 his work, he penetrates as far as the sand vein and as fast as he drills it 

 falls in on him. He may start other holes, but the sand will invariably 

 beat him, and disgusted with himself he falls an easy victim to any of the 

 traps described. 



MUSKRATS. 



The depredations of muskrats on the embankments of carp ponds and 

 on the carp themselves have been a prolific source of annoyance and 

 trouble to the culturist, and consequently have been the subject of much 

 thought. The greatest danger from them is the burrowing of the embank- 

 ments and starting of leaks that may result in washouts and great loss. 

 The first step, then, in protection against this danger, is to build the dams 

 and embankments only from 12 to 15 inches above high water level. 

 Their nests must be above the water, and this narrow margin brings them 

 too close to the surface of the dam, and they will not attempt it. If they 

 build nests or houses on the high ground side of the pond, there is no 

 danger of a washout, and they will sooner or later become victims of a 

 persistent persecution. The following trap will be an efficient aid in their 

 extermination : 



MUSK RAT TRAP. 



Any old barrel will do to make 'the trap out of. Build a platform all 

 around it, as shown in the illustration, bore small auger holes in those parts 

 of the heads of the barrel which are below water, cut a six inch square 

 hole in the upper side of the barrel, place parsnips, carrots, potatoes, 

 apples, etc., in the barrel, launch it convenient to their nests, attaching a 

 small rope to it to haul it in with, keep your trap baited, kill those that 



