284 NATURE AND WOODCRAFT. 



was given to the habits of these, and while 

 Tench and Eels succeeded best in mud, Carp were 

 kept on gravelly bottoms. Certain fish devoured 

 the spawn of others, and care had to be taken 

 to protect one species against its neighbours. 

 On this account, Carp and Tench thrive and 

 breed best where no other fish are put with them 

 into the same pond. 



Walton reminds us that when re-stocking a 

 pond with Carp, it is necessary to put in three 

 milters for one spawner, and that the pond 

 should have certain characteristics. It should 

 be stony or sandy ; warm and free from wind ; 

 not deep, and have willows and grass on 

 its sides. Then he notes that Carp usually 

 breed in marl-pits, or such as have clean clay 

 bottoms, and are new. The Pike, or " luce " as 

 it was called, was in great request for fatten- 

 ing in Stews, as it grew with great rapidity. 

 The Char, one of the most beautiful and dainty 

 of British fishes, is said to have been introduced 

 by the monks, as doubtless were the various 

 species of Carp. 



Carp-culture on the Continent is quite an 

 important industry, and in ancient days these 

 fish were in great repute for the table. Of late, 



