30 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 



depredations of muskrats, herons, cranes, etc. The water that 

 supplies the ponds would better come from a spring or be gathered 

 in the manner described for the sky-pond, as by this way one will 

 avoid the annoyance and destruction caused by snakes, muskrats, 

 frogs, etc., that are always found in small rivers and creeks, and 

 which are sure to find their way to the pond, causing much 

 trouble, to say nothing of the money value of that which they 

 destroy. Besides this, the ponds should have some natural protec- 

 tion against the high winds of spring time. This is very well 

 afforded by a clump of trees close by, but much better if the.pond 

 is situated in a hollow between two or three small hills. These not 

 only shelter the ponds, but tend to keep them warm by retaining the 

 warmth of the sun in the spring, just at a time when it is most 

 needed. In a warm and protected location of this kind, the fish 

 will spawn several weeks before the ordinary beginning of the 

 season, the young, of course, being ready for sale that much sooner, 

 and the ponds are vacated for a second crop, thus bringing a quicker 

 and more liberal return on the investment. 



Lastly, it is of but little use to locate ponds in a neighborhood 

 that does not afford a market for the product, unless, indeed, the 

 amateur should be in correspondence with such parties as would be 

 likely to find it to their interest to handle his stock. 



The foregoing remarks on ponds and those which follow are 

 made with an especial view to the culture of goldfish, so that the 

 novice as well as the amateur may get a distinct idea of the proper 

 method of locating and constructing them, for upon this depends 

 the success of the enterprise, and more so when it is engaged in for 

 the purpose of yielding an income. 



We come now to a consideration of the immediate and practical 

 points concerning the subject upon which we are engaged and which 

 we wish to see in running order. After having determined to 



