34 2 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



you intend shall convey the overflowings of your pond in 

 any flood that shall endanger the breaking of the pond-dam. 



Then he advises, that you plant willows or owlers [pop- 

 lars] 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 J t is left to the mercy of ducks or 

 vermin. 



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

 choice of such a place for your pond, that it may be refreshed 

 with a little rill, or with rain-water, running or falling into 

 it ; by which fish are more inclined both to breed, and are 

 also refreshed and fed the better, and do prove to be of a 

 much sweeter and more pleasant taste. 



To which end it is observed, that such pools as be large, 

 and have most gravel and shallows where fish may sport 

 themselves, do afford fish of the purest taste. And note, that 

 in all pools it is best for fish to have some retiring-place ; 

 as namely, hollow banks, or shelves, or roots of trees, to keep 

 them from danger ; and, when they think fit, from the ex- 

 treme heat of the summer, as also from the extremity of 

 cold in winter. And note, that if many trees be growing 

 about your pond, the leaves thereof, falling into the water, 

 make it nauseous to the fish, and the fish to be so to the 

 eater of it. 



J T is noted that the tench and eel love mud, and the carp 

 loves gravelly ground, and in the hot months to feed on 

 grass. You are to cleanse your pond, if you intend either 

 profit or pleasure, once every three or four years (especially 



