THE FIFTH DAY. 



CHAP. XX. Of Fish- Ponds, and how to order them. 



PISCATOR. 



l^vOCTOR Lebault, the learned Frenchman, in his large dis- 

 ^ course of Maison Rustique, gives this direction for mak- 

 ing of fish-ponds. I shall refer you to him to read it at large ; 

 but I think I shall contract it, and yet make it as useful. 



He adviseth, that when you have drained the ground, and 

 made the earth firm where the head of the pond must be, that 

 you must then, in that place, drive in two or three rows of oak 

 or elm piles, which should be scorched in the fire, or half 

 burnt, before they be driven into the earth ; for being thus 

 used it preserves them much longer from rotting. And hav- 

 ing done so, lay fagots or bavins of smaller wood betwixt 

 them ; and then earth betwixt and above them : and then, 

 having first very well rammed them and the earth, use another 

 pile in like manner as the first were : and note, that the second 

 pile is to be of or about the height that you intend to make 

 your sluice or flood-gate, or the vent that you intend shall con- 

 vey the overflowings of your pond, in any flood that shall en- 

 danger the breaking of the pond-dam. 



Then he advises that you plant willows or owlers about it, or 

 both: and then cast in bavins in some places not far from the 

 side, and in the most sandy places, for fish both to spawn upon, 

 and to defend them and the young fry from the many fish, and 

 also from vermin, that lie at watch to destroy them ; especially 

 the spawn of the Carp and Tench, when 't is left to the mercy 

 of ducks or vermin. 



He, and Dubravius, and all others, advise, that you make 



