32 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 
As before stated, there are many enemies which prey upon the 
goldfish, and all of which are to be guarded against in the construc- 
tion of the ponds in which they are expected to live and increase. 
If left alone and without the protection of man, the circumstances 
must be exceptionally favorable under which they can thrive and 
multiply. For the systematic raising of goldfish, therefore, a series 
of ponds is indispensable, each of which is constructed and arranged 
to meet the requirements of the specific purpose for which it is 
intended. All of them, however, are based upon the same funda- 
mental principle and must have adjustable inlets and outlets, other- 
wise they can not be under complete control, the reason for which 
a little experience will soon explain. ‘The number of ponds needed 
for the culture of goldfish does not exceed four, and in their order 
are the spawning-pond, rearing-pond, storage-pond, and winter-pond. 
The spawning-ponds or ‘‘beds” are those ponds in which the parent 
fish are placed when the breeding time arives, and are to be kept 
there throughout the duration of that season, and solely for the 
purpose of depositing the eggs. The 7vearing-ponds are those in 
which the young fry is placed or ‘‘ planted” and to keep them until 
they are of a marketable size. The storage-ponds are for the purpose 
of keeping saleable stock until wanted, and in a situation readily 
accessible at a moment’s notice. The last in order is the wénter-pond, 
in which the parent fish, and those of the younger that are intended 
for the same purpose, are carried through the inclemencies of the 
winter. 
The greatest depth of all the ponds, the winter-pond excepted, 
should not be made to exceed twenty-four (24) inches, and this to be 
at that end where the outlet is placed. From twenty-four inches at 
one end the depth should gradually decrease until the water depth 
at the head is not greater than six (6) inches. (See illustration.) 
The upper edges of the dams of the ponds should not be less 
