change of water as long as they are held in their limited quaiters, which is for about 40 days. 

 They are then put in a mud pond where they are given ample room (8 to 10 fish to the 

 square foot), which is increased by frequent sortings. The great bulk of the stock is disposed 

 of in the following spring. Fish intended to be reared to a very large size for the purpose of 

 providing progeny of exceptional development of body and tail are fed freely on mollusks, silk- 

 worms, and starch; are given much room during their subsequent growing period; and are 

 rigidly selected for their form and color. In their sixth year the space allowed them is 5 to 6 

 square feet per fish, and in the seventh year, after a further selection of breeders, the space 

 may be 15 to 20 square feet per fish. 



In the rearing of the ranchu after the Tokyo method, the first food administered to the fry 

 is boiled yolk of egg, mixed with water and sprinkled over the pond. This food is given every 

 morning for 7 days, the amount being determined by the appearance of the fry's abdomen, through 

 the transparent wall of which the yellow food may be seen. Then for 15 days "mijinko" is 

 provided, a sieve being used to exclude forms that are too large and noxious insects. Sul)sequently 

 chopped annelid worms and mosquito larvae are given. During their active growth, the young are 

 frequently sorted with reference to size or quality and put in other ponds, the number is gradually 

 reduced by the elimination of the undesirable kinds, and greater space is thus provided for the 

 others, so that by autumn the ratio of fish to pond area should be not more than 2 to each 

 square foot. To protect these delicate creatures from the cold, a winter pond or hibernacle is pro- 

 vided in cases where the fish are not placed in a mud pond. The hibernacle is made of concrete, 

 has a depth of 7 to 10 inches, is provided with a close-fitting lid, and has a peaked roof which on 

 the north side extends to the edge of the pond. On warm days in winter the lid is lifted so that 



70 



