THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 33 
than six inches above the highest water capacity, thus avoiding over- 
flow during heavy rain-storms; neither should they be less than 
eighteen (18) in width. It is also necessary that the dams be made 
very carefully, so that when soaked with water they will not sink or 
cave in with their own weight. A most excellent material of which 
to build them consists simply of sod cut into suitable pieces and laid 
one upon another, just as a stone-mason lays one stone upon the 
other, the whole when thus laid becomes very solid and compact, 
and capable of resisting considerable pressure, and will withstand 
the wear and tear of the weather and the weight of the body when 
walking over them. Where there is danger prevailing from a 
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LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF GOLDFISH PoND. 
sudden freshet in an adjoining creek, it is a wise precaution to build, 
in addition, a strong dam on the outside and in the direction from 
which the danger is expected. For greater safety this dam may be 
in its turn protected with boards, so as to prevent gradual washing 
away. Each inlet, 7. ¢., the point at which the water supply makes 
its way into the pond, is to be guarded with galvanized iron netting 
of atolerably coarse mesh, about eight to the inch, as a small mesh 
clogs very readily, and only adds the additional care of keeping it 
clean. The outlet is formed of two gutters of which one fits in an 
upright position tightly on the end of the other, which leads through 
the bottom of the dam, forming a right angle. .(See illustration.) 
The one leading through the dam is closed tightly on all four 
sides, but on the upright one the side facing the pond is closed 
with adjustable sections cut from flooring boards. By means of 
