58 ART OF ANGLING. 



for Carp are observed to grow a long time, and 

 to come to a very considerable size. 



During winter, ponds ought to have their full 

 complement of water ; for the deeper the water 

 is, the warmer lie the fish ; and in case the 

 ponds are covered with ice, some holes must be 

 made every day for the admission of fresh air, 

 for want of which, Carp frequently perish. 

 Ponds should never be of less depth than four 

 or five feet; and if the water stagnates, and 

 grows putrid, it must be let off, and a supply 

 of fresh water be introduced. After ponds 

 have been five or six years in constant use, it is 

 likewise necessary to let the water entirely off, 

 and clear them of the mud, which often increa- 

 ses too much, and becomes a nuisance. 



If the foregoing observations be attended to, 

 they will be found to answer every expectation. 



It sometimes happens that Carp and Tench 

 being put together in a pond, the different spe- 

 cies mix their roe and milt, and thus produce 

 mules or mongrel breeds ; these mules partake of 

 the nature of both fish, and grow to a good size, 

 but some parts of their- bodies are covered with 

 the small slimy scales of a Tench, while some 

 other parts have the larger scales of a Carp ; 

 their flesh approaches nearer to that of a Tench, 

 and they are likewise of a less tender nature 

 than the common Carp, 



