40 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 



cases fish always dart to the bottom, and being there, they get out of 

 the way much sooner. If placed near the outlet, it is also easier to 

 gather the flowers when the plants are in blossom; this is probably a 

 small point, but one that will be appreciated upon trial. Should the 

 plants not be available, one or two pieces of board left floating on 

 the water will answer the purpose. If it is impossible to isolate the 

 rearing-ponds from each other, the consequences are not at all 

 serious, but things should be so arranged that the very large fish are 

 not mixed up with the small ones, as the latter would then he 

 deprived of their share of the natural food the pond itself supplies. 



THE STORAGE POND. 



This pond is for the sole x purpose of keeping the saleable fish 

 where they can easily be secured when desired, assorted according to 

 variety, color and size, and kept in good condition till wanted. 



It is to be so located that it will not interfere with the draining off 

 of the other ponds. 



Its construction does not differ in anywise from that of the 

 rearing-pond, as indeed it can be used for rearing, if not wanted for 

 nursery purposes (of which we will treat further on), until wanted 

 for its destined purpose. 



It is best, however, to divide it with boards into different parts of 

 equal size, so as to secure a general fit of wire covers. 



THE WINTER POND. 



This is best located close by a spring, so that the constant flowing 

 in of a stream of water of even temperature will prevent the surface 

 of the pond from freezing over entirely, in which case the fish would 

 die. The depth of the pond ought not to be less than three feet, 

 and its sides closely lined with boards or masonry, thus affording 



