PRACTICAL CARP CULTURE. 69 



the past three years, as befalling the ponds and fish during the warm 

 season, may be grouped under the one head, 



LACK OF WATER SUPPLY. 



These reports were generally of sky ponds, dependent on the rainfall 

 for water. Long continued drouths, demands made on the water by 

 stock, etc., would reduce the pond to a mere pool, of a few rods in area, 

 with an average depth of only a few inches, and literally swarming with 

 tish. They described the fish as coming open-mouthed to the surface, 

 and numbers of them dying, asked what was the matter, and how to 

 remedy it. History is a repetition. The past repeats itself. So that this 

 matter is worthy of consideration here, to guard others against the afflic- 

 tion, help them to remedy it, if it comes. 



This condition of things will rarely come to pass in any other than 

 sky ponds, except in long continued drouths when supplying streams dry 

 up. In either case the remedy is the same. 



What caused the fish to come open-mouthed to the surface? Lack of 

 oxygen in the water is the natural answer, and under ordinary circum- 

 stances would be correct. But if correct in these instances, the mortali- 

 ty in many places would have been much greater, as efforts of relief and 

 fresh water did not come soon enough to stay death, if lack of oxygen 

 were the cause. Unfortunately no trials of the temperature of the water 

 were made in those days. It is to be remembered, however, that during 

 the period of the lessening of the water surface, and while the quarters of 

 the fish grew more and more confined, and the absorption of oxygen by 

 the water less and less, that the water became more and more foul, 

 through the excrements of the fish, etc. This condition itself would 

 breed disease in the fish. Then the pool at its lowest, a few inches of 

 water, parched and baked surroundings and a scorching sun pouring its 

 rays down upon it, and you get a temperature of water ranging from 85 to 

 5)5 degrees. And here, in our opinion, was the great cause of the fish 

 Doming to the surface of the water. It was in a vain search for that they 

 could not find: a cool place, a lower temperature. In support of this 

 theory we have the testimony of many who put water fresh from the well 

 into their ponds, with the sole purpose of supplying fresh water, but it 

 would likewise result in a change of temperature. Wm. Todd, of Vermil- 

 lion, Ohio, writing of such an experience, said that after putting in the 

 cold water the fish settled down, and by its repetition for a few days he 

 saved his tish and was satisfied that it was by this means only. 



In similar cases it can be quickly demonstrated whether it is the lack 

 of oxygen or heat that produces the result, by getting the mean tempera- 

 ture of the water, with a thermometer. If it is above 88 degrees Fahren- 

 heit, heat is causing it, as the carp will die in water of 91 degrees or 

 higher. If the mean temperature is less than 88 degrees, it is foul water or 

 lack f oxygen. In the latter case a thorough combing back and forth of 

 the water with a wooden-toothed hay rake, or a thorough whipping of it 

 with a wire dip net, will break it up, make it foam and introduce oxygen 



