X, D, 5 Day: Culture of the Bangos, or Milkfish 309 



of the fish to grow large, and this he attributes to the lack of 

 food. He now receives 1,000 pesos annually from his ponds. 

 The small fish, called "seed," that are caught in April are better 

 than those taken in May and June, because they are from larger 

 and stronger adults. Those taken in May and June are poorest. 



The owner thinks that a mud bottom is better for the growth 

 of algse than a sand bottom. 



Because of unsatisfactory conditions in his fish culture, Cando 

 secured the services of some baiigos experts from Malabon, Rizal, 

 to help him solve his difficulties, giving them one third of the 

 output while they were with him. Several suggestions were 

 offered by these men, but so far conditions are not satisfactory. 



The large blue crab, Neptunus pelagicus, grows well in the 

 ponds. 



Some disease, probably due to a fungous growth, has appeared 

 in his ponds. 



At Iba there are large areas suitable for bangos ponds, but their 

 number and extent are not at present very great. Several ponds 

 were visited, both those that were completed and stocked with 

 fish, and those that were in the process of construction, and much 

 valuable and interesting information was secured. 



IBA, POND NO. 1 



Pond No. 1 at Iba belongs to Mr. Jose Venzon, and it has been 

 used for thirty years. It contains 18.75 ares. It was con- 

 structed at great expense, having been dug out of a level area 

 to a depth of about 3 meters. The owner thinks that from 2,000 

 to 3,000 fish, valued at 20 centavos each, could be taken from 

 the pond each year if they were permitted to feed on the natural 

 growth of algse only, without introducing any into the pond. 

 However, through a desire to secure greater results, the owner 

 places 10,000 small fish in the pond, of which two thirds are sold 

 at 5 centavos each. The fry cost 50 centavos per thousand. It 

 will be observed that by allowing for the purchase of 3,000 fry 

 and the sale of 2,000 at 20 centavos each, without adding any food 

 to the pond, the owner would receive more money than if he 

 places 10,000 fry in pond, adds food from the river, and sells 

 6,600 at 5 centavos each. 



By placing in the pond a greater number of fish than the 

 natural growth of algse will support, and so making necessary the 

 transferring of algae from the river to the pond at extra cost, the 

 owner of the pond is not only securing smaller fish than, accord- 

 ing to his own statement, he would receive by placing a smaller 

 number of fry in the pond (and it would not be necessary to 



