[ op) 
can beft, with refpect to charge and other advantages, obfery- 
ing always in a ground to take that part for your pond, to 
which the waters are moft apt to fettle. In fome places, but 
very few, the waters ftand beft upon the hills, and the valleys, 
when fandy, will.not hold well. The nature of the ground 
is to be regarded. 
Some ponds of good depth, of about five or fix rods fquare, 
fhould be afligned to maintain pikes, which, when great, ought 
to be kept. by themfelves; for in a few years they will devour 
other fith, and greatly furprife you in the deftruction they will 
make, But I fhall {peak more of this when I come to the 
ftocking of waters. 
I do much approve of cleanfing and cafting out the mud 
of {mall ftanding waters once in feven or eight years, and fo 
letting them lie dry one fummer, if you can {pare the water; 
which, from moats, and pafture-waters, can fcarce be done, 
without great inconvenience. Thefe matters exercife the in- 
vention of a good ceconomift, who will endeavour to prevent 
damage, as well as fave time, and turn even his pleafures to 
profit. 
One thing I advertife here, which is, not to let carps con- 
tinue ina {mall ftanding water above two fummers and one 
winter; for fo you run a much lefs hazard from froit, than 
otherwife you, will do; befides, the fifh will grow much more 
upon tranfplanting, than by continuing in the fame water, 
and more in the great, than in the fmall waters: but of thefe 
things more afterwards. 
