40 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 
cases fish always dart to the bottom, and being there, they get out of 
the way much ‘sooner. If placed near the outlet, it is also easier to 
gather the flowers when the plants are in blossom; this is probably a 
small point, but one that will be appreciated upon trial. Should the 
plants not be available, one or two pieces of board left floating on 
the water will answer the purpose. If it is impossible to isolate the 
rearing-ponds from each other, the consequences are not at all 
serious, but things should be so arranged that the very large fish are 
not mixed up with the small ones, as the latter would then be 
deprived of their share of the natural food the pond itself supplies. 
THE STORAGE POND. 
This pond is for the sole purpose of keeping the saleable fish 
where they can easily be secured when desired, assorted according to 
variety, color and size, and kept in good condition till wanted. 
It is to be so located that it will not interfere with the draining off 
of the other ponds. 
Its construction does not differ in anywise from that of the 
rearing-pond, as indeed it can be used for rearing, if not wanted for 
nursery purposes (of which we will treat further on), until wanted 
for its destined purpose. 
It is best, however, to divide it with boards into different parts of 
equal size, so as to secure a general fit of wire covers. 
THE WINTER POND. 
This is best located close by a spring, so that the constant flowing 
in of a stream of water of even temperature will prevent the surface 
of the pond from freezing over entirely, in which case the fish would 
die. The depth of the pond ought not to be less than three feet, 
and its sides closely lined with boards or masonry, thus affording 
