AND OF STILL WATERS. 45 



Amongst the carp are always found a number 

 of pike, one of the mysteries of pisciculture, for 

 the very greatest care is taken to eliminate them 

 from the ponds on account of the immense 

 damage they do. As the ponds are drained 

 dry, and completely re-stocked every three years, 

 one would imagine that the extermination of 

 the pike would not be a very difficult matter j 

 but when the triennial fishing takes place, the 

 irrepressible pike is again to the fore. As soon 

 as the fishing is over in one pond the sluices 

 are closed, and the pond allowed to fill gradually, 

 while the fishermen betake themselves to any 

 other ponds that are to be fished the same year, 

 according to the date of their re-stocking. 

 When the empty ponds are again full of water, 

 the breeding-pond is drawn upon to supply 

 young fish . This breeding-pond is never drained 

 dry of water. When young fish are required, 

 the breeding-pond is drawn with nets, and only 

 young fish are taken ; the old ones are returned 

 to their home to breed undisturbed, while 

 their progeny are translated to the fishing-ponds 

 for their allotted span of three years. 



