THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 33 



than six inches above the highest water capacity, thus avoiding over- 

 flow during heavy rain-storms; neither should they be less than 

 eighteen (18) in width. It is also necessary that the dams be made 

 very carefully, so that when soaked with water they will not sink or 

 cave in with their own weight., A most excellent material of which 

 to build them consists simply of sod cut into suitable pieces and laid 

 one upon another, just as a stone-mason lays one stone upon the 

 other, the whole when thus laid becomes very solid and compact, 

 and capable of resisting considerable pressure, and will withstand 

 the wear and tear of the weather and the weight of the body when 

 walking over them. Where there is danger prevailing from a 



LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF GOLDFISH POND. 



sudden freshet in an adjoining creek, it is a wise precaution to build, 

 in addition, a strong dam on the outside and in the direction from 

 which the danger is expected. For greater safety this dam may be 

 in its turn protected with boards, so as to prevent gradual washing 

 away. Each inlet, /". e., the point at which the water supply makes 

 its way into the pond, is to be guarded with galvanized iron netting 

 of a tolerably coarse mesh, about eight to the inch, as a small mesh 

 clogs very readily, and only adds the additional care of keeping it 

 clean. The outlet is formed of two gutters of which one fits in an 

 upright position tightly on the end of the other, which leads through 

 the bottom of the dam, forming a right angle. (See illustration.) 

 The one leading through the dam is closed tightly on all four 

 sides, but on the upright one the side facing the pond is closed 

 with adjustable sections cut from flooring boards. By means of 



