lxiv 
roots and leaves of aquatic plants, their seeds fallen into the 
water and other similar substances, and may be fed very read- 
ily upon corn, grain, bread, root crops, raw or boiled, and, in- 
deed, any vegetable refuse whatever. Its rate of growth, too, 
is somewhat marvelous, and as observed so far in the speci- 
mens introduced into the United States, being even more re- 
markable here than in Europe. 
Among the original fish imported by us from Europe, and 
which are now only about three and a half years old, are 
some from twenty-five to thirty inches in length, weighing 
from four to eight or nine pounds. 
The three varieties imported by us — the scaly, mirror and 
leathern carp — are all of first class excellence and character- 
ized by broad backs, as distinguished from the sharp back and 
more bony characters of the common fish. They occupy a 
conspicuous place in the German fish markets, and bring the 
same price as the trout, selling generally for about twenty- 
five cents per pound. The carp will thrive best in artificial 
or natural ponds with muddy bottoms and abounding vegeta- 
tion. In large ponds it may not be necessary to add any 
special food ; but in restricted encloures, as, for instance, in 
those of a fraction of an acre, they may be fed with the re- 
fuse of the kitchen, garden, leaves of cabbage, lettuce, leek, 
etc., hominy or other substances. Grain of any kind is gen- 
erally better boiled before being fed to the fish ; but this is 
probably not absolutely necessary. It is a prime necessity 
that there be no predaceous fish embraced in the same pond 
with the carp. Of course the larger fish will be measurably 
secure against the attacks of carnivorous species about the 
same size, but the eggs and young will become a prey to 
their associates. The carp spawn in the spring, in May and 
June, and, indeed, under some circumstances, throughout the 
entire summer. We have young fish spawned all the way 
from May until September. They are very prolific, the fe- 
male varying from 5^,000 to 500,000, according to her size. 
The eggs adhere tenaciously to whatever they touch; for that 
reason it is very important that the pond should be provided 
with floating weeds for such attachment. The eggs hatch out 
