more widely distributed than the trouts and can be culti- 

 vated by simpler methods, should receive serious con- 

 sideration. 



In some of the countries of central Europe the cultiva- 

 tion of fishes in private waters has been going on for cen- 

 turies. In Austria and Germany fish farming, as it is of- 

 ten called, is a common industry. While it is much prac- 

 ticed by small land owners, there are many large estates 

 which maintain hundreds of ponds in active cultivation. 

 Much of this private fish culture is based on the various 

 forms of the carp, but other European fishes are also 

 cultivated for sale, such as the tench, ide, ruff, bream, 

 perch and pike. Some European fish culturists are now 

 raising American basses and perches. There are many 

 villages in Austria where fish ponds are maintained at 

 the expense of the community. In view of these facts, it 

 is remarkable that immigrants from Europe have neglect- 

 ed to practice their ancient art of pond culture in this 

 country. . , 



Aside from the commercial trout raising, which is prac- 

 ticed to a limted extent, we have nothng of such pond cul- 

 ture in America. Our numerous fish hatcheries maintained 

 under the- direction of state commissions are devoted al- 

 most entirely to the stocking of public waters with young 

 fishes. Very little of the product is reared to maturity 

 and none is sent to market direct. If our fish culturists 

 should be commanded to bring their annual yield of fry 

 to maturity and deliver it to the market, they would be at 

 a loss how to proceed. We are really not fish raisers, but 

 producers of fry. At that stage our efforts cease. The 

 rest is left to nature, and negligently cast into waters 

 that we imperfectly protect and utterly neglect to keep 

 pure. While our achievements in public fish hatching are 

 notable, private fish culture has made no headway. A 

 few of our state commissioners are making efforts in pond 

 culture for the benefit of farming communities, notably 

 in Kansas, and it will be interesting to observe what prog- 

 ress can be made. Perhaps the vast natural yeld from 

 our coast, lake and river fisheries is responsible for the 

 lack of private effort. 



Our fish supply, in general, is large and well distri- 

 buted, but we could consume a much greater supply, es- 

 pecially in view of the fact that in some sections the nat- 

 ural supply is being depleted by over fishing and pollution 

 of waters. There are many sections of the country inade- 

 quately supplied with fish food which could be produced 



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