THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 

 CHAPTER XX. 



OF FISH PONDS, AND HOW TO ORDER THEM. 



DOCTOR LEBAULT, the learned Frenchman, in his large dis- 

 course of Maison Rustique, gives this direction for making 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 having done so, 

 lay faggots 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 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 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 it 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, 



* A translation of this work tinder the title of Maison Riutiyue, or the 

 Country Fanne, compiled by Charles Steuens and John Liebault, Doctors 

 of Physicke, and translated into English by Rirhard Surflet, appeared in 

 quarto, Lond. 1600; and a second edition, with large additions, by Gervasa 

 Markham, fol. Lond. 16i6. 



