-CH, III.] TENCH—QUALITY AND CONDITION OF FISH. 45 
the very large ones) perhaps not more than a 
hundred weighing above six pounds. But to give 
‘an idea of the number of fish in them, he con- 
siders that on a favourable day in April a single 
rod may calculate upon catching from a hundred 
to a hundred and fifty pounds weight of Carp. 
Tench he finds to be very slow growers, and 
he has a difficulty in ascertaining what water 
suits them best. One year he had them up to 
two pounds, but they were so much sought after, 
that he was induced to allow all the best to be 
sold, and there are now not many of above a 
pound. The last has been an unusually favourable 
breeding season for them, and at least ten thou- 
sand have been thus added to his stock. He 
considers them, for the table, by far the best fish 
in his waters, being firm and full flavoured, 
without the least taint of mud, so much so 
indeed that they are found to be better plain- 
boiled than dressed in any other way. The Carp 
are also extremely good in quality, having a curd 
like Salmon, and their condition, when in season, 
being such, that the under side of one of four 
or five pounds ordinarily exhibits a coating of 
fat perhaps a quarter of an inch in thickness. 
There can surely be no reason why breeds of 
