78 THE GOLDFISH AND 1TS CULTURE. 
fulfillment of all requirements of that nature, and at a slight increase 
in weight. Besides, these cans are readily obtained in the large 
cities, (and smaller ones, too, in all probability), the only necessity 
being the enlargement of the opening to make it a complete shipping 
can for fish. 
When it is desirable to make a shipment of live fish, it is 
necessary to take into consideration their size, the length of time 
they will be upon the road, and the season of the year in which they 
are transported, all with reference to the all-important supply of 
oxygen, without which, of course, the fish cannot live. 
The shipping can is filled with pure water, to four-fifths (4-5) of 
its capaciiy only, thus providing ample space for the water to splash 
about during the journey, as it is by this constant motion of the 
water in the vessel that it is aerated and made capable of supplying 
the fish with oxygen. 
The hour of shipping ought, if possible, to be so arranged that 
the journey on the road may be made at night, as it is cooler in the 
summer, does not expose the fish to the great heat of sunlight and 
the arrival is made usually sometime in the morning or forenoon 
when those at the destination are on hand to receive them. The 
cans must be plainly labeled, stating the nature of their contents, so 
that they may receive more care in the handling from the express 
agents, consequently running less risk of damage. It is also 
advisable to notify the party to whom the fish are sent that the 
shipment has been made, in order that he may take them from the 
agent as soon as possible, otherwise, if they are left to remain quiet 
at the express office or freight depot, the fish will be in great danger 
of their lives from want of proper care. 
If the shipping can is an ordinary small tin bucket, such as are 
on sale at the tinsmith’s, the ventilating holes would better be 
punched in the center of the lid, the remainder being left unmolested, 
