THE GERMAN CARP IN THE UNITED STATES. 637 
seems that the market for carp may in the future be further developed 
have been pointed out and discussed in the section dealing with its 
food value and uses. 
In another place was mentioned the possible amusement and recrea- 
tion to be had in taking carp with hook and line. I am aware that 
the American sportsman will scoff at the very idea, and would regard 
the pastime with disdain. I wish merely to quote in its defense a para- 
graph from Goode’s American Fishes (Goode, 1888, p. 412), in which 
he treats of the strenuousness of the average American angler: 
There is a kind of pleasure known to English anglers which is cultivated by bet 
few of those who are called by the same name in America—the quiet, peaceful delight 
of brook-fishing in the midst of the restful scenery of the woods and the meadows. 
It is difficult to imagine a thorough disciple of Walton chumming for striped-bass in 
the surf at Newport or trolling for Muskellunge among the Thousand Islands, drail- 
ing for Blue-fish in the Vineyard Sound, or tugging at a tarpum-line in the Guli of 
Mexico. The muscular exertion, the excitement, the flurry and noise, make such 
sports more akin to the fiercer pursuits of hunting than to the contemplative man’s 
recreation. The wisest, best and gentlest of anglers, those who have made the lit- 
erature of angling akin to poetry, have not, as a rule, preferred to make a violent 
exercise of their fishing. 
Nothing has been said in the present report about protection for the 
carp in open waters, since, whatever may be the opinion as to the fish’s 
desirability, protection for it does not seem to be needed. I am of 
the opinion, however, that the phenomenal increase of the carp in 
those waters where it has been longest will soon reach its maximum, 
if it has not already done so, and that as the various factors become 
adjusted a more stable balance will be reached. It is conceivable that 
then persistent fishing may greatly reduce its numbers. 
And now, should I attempt to sum up the principal results of the 
investigation ina single paragraph, I should say that, whereas the carp 
undoubtedly does considerable damage, from the evidence at hand it 
seems reasonable to conclude that this is fully offset by its value as a 
food fish and in other ways; that it can not be exterminated, and that 
the problem is how to use it to the best advantage—suggestions for 
which have been offered. Efforts should be directed to encourage 
utilization of the fish in all ways possible, since it appears to be a 
resource as yet comparatively undeveloped. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 
The following list contains very few titles besides those referred to in the report. 
References to papers dealing with carp which have been published in the Reports 
and Bulletins of the United States Fish Commission up to February, 1896, in the 
publications of the National Museum to 1883, and in the Tench Census will be found 
in the lists given by Smiley (1883) and Scudder (1896). 
Anonymous (1877). Carp for our waters. Forest and Stream, vol. 7, p. 341. 
(1880). The carp-fisheries in the Peitz Lakes. Report U. S. Fish Com- 
mission for 1878, pp. 675-678. (Die Karpfenfischerei in den Peitzer Teichen. 
- From a Berlin daily paper. Translated by H. Jacobson. ) 
