70 AET OI 1 ANGLING. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF CARP, 



Carp, from their quick growth and vast increase, 

 are the most valuable of all fish for the stocking of 

 ponds ; and if the breeding and feeding of them 

 were better understood, and more practiced, the 

 advantages resulting from them would be very great. 

 The following observations, if strictly adhered to ? 

 will be found to answer exceedingly well. 



The first thing which must be attended to is to 

 select the ground where Carp ponds are to be made ; 

 for, upon the soil, water, and situation, the success 

 in the management chiefly depends. The best ponds 

 are situated in a well-manured fertile plain, sur- 

 rounded by pastures and corn-fields of a rich black 

 mould ; the water ought to be mild and soft, by no 

 means too cold, or impregnated with acid, calcareous, 

 or other mineral particles ; they should be sheltered 

 from cold easterly or northerly winds, by a ridge of 

 hills, situate at some distance from the ponds, 

 enjoying fully the benign influence of the sun, far 

 from where the leaves of trees might cause a putre- 

 faction, and impregnate the water with astringent 

 particles. Ponds in a poor, dry, or sandy soil, 

 surrounded by pines or firs, are considered the 

 worst of any for Carp. The ground towards the 

 pond ought to have a gentle slope ; for deep valleys 

 are subject to great floods, and will endanger the 

 dikes in a wet season. 



