LXI 
water. We should add that it can live in water which at 
times may become very cold. As soon as the temperature of the 
water in which it is falls to 39° or 40° (Fahrenheit) it bur- 
rows into the mud and soft bottom, where it remains in a 
semi torpid state until the return of warm weather revives it. 
During this period, although it does not take food, it is said 
not to lose flesh. On account of this peculiarity of the carp, 
the ponds used for rearing it should have muddy bottoms, 
and should also be furnished with aquatic plants, especially 
those producing seed, which ripen and fall into the water. 
The carp spawns in the spring and summer, sometimes ex- 
tending its breeding season into the fall months. 
The eggs produced attach themselves to the aquatic plants, 
as above-mentioned, and they hatch in from one to two weeks, 
according to the temperature of the water. Sudden changes 
of weather, from warm to cold, often prove fatal to the eggs. 
Where the ponds are not amply provided with vegetable 
growth, and especially seed- bearing plants, this fish may be 
fed with crumbs of bread, leaves of cabbage, and almost any 
other kind of vegetable used by man ; as well as with rice, 
corn, and cereals of every description, either whole or ground. 
Grain is, however, improved by being boiled in plain water. 
The eggs — which are a favorite food with other fish — attach 
themselves as above-mentioned, to twigs and aquatic plants, 
and are consequently very accessible. For this reason, no 
other varieties of fish should be allowed in the ponds used for 
breeding purposes. 
The ponds intended by the U. S. Commissioner at Wash- 
ington to receive a portion of the imported fish (which were 
temporarily deposited, in the ponds of - Druid Hill Park) are 
constructed on the best principles, and have proved very sun 
cessful. We, therefore, deem it proper to give a description 
of them, in order that they may serve as models after which 
ponds may be prepared by persons desirous of engaging in 
carp culture. 
In the accompanying cut, a portion of the largest pond 
(represented by I) is shown. L and K are smaller ones on 
