1.1 



Any or all of these fishes will give satisfaction and insure better re- 

 sults from their culture that the exclusive propagation of black bass 

 could give in small bodies of water. 



But a careful selection of the fish supply is not the only essential to 

 success. The pond and its surroundings must also receive intelligent 

 thought and preparation. We have frequent reports of failures in 

 attempts at fish culture, in small ponds or lakes, and so in most in- 

 stances, an investigation shows that failure was due to the improper 

 conditions in the pond. Either it was used for stock purposes or left 

 open to the invasion of muskrats, turtles and other enemies of the fish 

 or both conditions existed. If fish are given equal care with hogs and 

 chickens the results will be as satisfactory, and the effort amply re- 

 paid. 



The commissioners will cheerfully answer or give any information 

 in their possession regarding pond culture or the building of ponds. 



Carp. 



This is probably a worn out caption in our reports and no doubt 

 finds plenty of objectors. Yet, when considered from a purely finan- 

 cial standpoint, we have no fish that is its equal as a money producer, 

 and there are no better waters in the country, if in the world, to pro- 

 duce the carp than those of Illinois. 



The output is simply enormous and ever increasing. They are now 

 prized highly by fishermen and find a ready market. We have failed 

 this season to get a report from the Illinois River Fishermen's Asso- 

 ciation. But from what we can get from the dealers, the output for 

 the past two seasons is greater than for any other seasons. We need 

 not discuss the question of carp killing out other fish. The practical 

 evidence, that this is not so, is to be seen. Bass are more plentiful than 

 ever, increasing and they will increase as long as so much food is 

 furnished them by the increase in the softer rayed fish. 



Dr. Hugh M. Smith, Assistant U. S. Fish Commissioner, in his 

 "Our Fish Immigrants" has the following to say about carp, and as our 

 State is mentioned as the "Carp State" by so eminent an authority, I 

 reproduce the article, as it. contains much valuable information. 



"The best-known, most widely distributed and most important of our fish 

 immigrants is the carp, usually called the German carp, a native of Asia, 

 but cultivated for many centuries in Europe, whence were brought to this 

 country about 30 years ago the improved varieties — the leather carp, blue 

 carp and mirror carp. 



The carp has received an extraordinary amount of criticism, mostly un- 

 favorable, during recent years; no other fish, in fact, has ever come in for 

 so much vituperation. In some communities the carp question has at times 

 overshadowed the tariff, the trusts and high finance; and there are places 

 where it is almost as much as a man's life is worth to raise his voice or lift 

 his pen in favor of this Mongolian alien. Without entering into a discussion 

 of the carp question and without undertaking to make any apology for the 

 carp, it may be said that most of the attacks on its reputation have been un- 

 fair, and that a better knowledge of the objects and results of the introduction 

 of the fish into American waters would greatly reduce the number of people 

 who place the carp in the same category of nuisances as the English sparrow. 

 Although small numbers of carp were imported by private individuals before 



