102 



THE ANGLER-NATUEALIST. 



Comparative Lengths and Weights of Carp *. 



The growth-rate of Carp has been approximately com- 

 puted at 3 lbs. during the first sis years, and 6 lbs. before 

 their tenth year. They grow much faster, however, in warm 

 climates, and also probably in stews, when well fed. The 

 following is recommended as a recipe for fattening them : — 

 " Barley-meal, half a gallon; chalk, in powder, 1| lb. (very 

 clean) ; clay, a sufficient quantity to make a stiff paste. 

 Place this in the stew or pond, in a net (of not too small 

 meshes), suspended about a foot from the bottom. When 

 aU is sucked away but the clay, place fresh in the net or 

 nets." This recipe is said to have been employed by the 

 old monks ; but the chronicler adds, " Now, how the Carp 

 are to suck away the barley-meal and chalk, leaving the 

 clay behind, appears difficult to understand." This seems 

 a pertinent question. Probably wheaten or other flour 

 would be a better ingredient. 



* See p. 59. 



