LXV 
in a few days and the young grow very rapidly. They feed 
voraciously upon so-called frog-spittle, the green alga scum 
that is so common in frog ponds. Consequently such waters 
are especially adapted for carp. Whenever the water becomes 
chilled down to perhaps 40°, and especially when frozen over 
at the top, the fish bury themselves in the mud, aggregating in 
lots from fifty to one hundred, frequently with their tails pro- 
jecting and constituting what is called in Germany kettles or 
rolls. It is very important that they should not be disturbed 
under such circumstances. Of course while hybenating 
in this way they are not feeding, although they are said not 
to lose appreciably in weight. In the more southern regions, 
where the waters do not freeze, they will probably feed 
throughout the year and make a more rapid growth. So far, 
no waters have proved too warm for them. As regards the 
best plants for a carp pond, I may mention the ordinary pond- 
weeds jpontederia and sagittaria — splatter docks or pond 
lilies ; and, indeed, any of the kinds that grow in the water 
with leaves floating upon the surface, duck-weed among the 
number. , Those which produce seeds, like the wild rice, are 
especially desirable, as the fish feed voraciously upon them. 
Yery truly yours, 
Spencek F. Baikd. 
Dr. Hessel, superintendent of the ponds at Washington, 
makes the following statement, which shows how well adapted 
this fish is to fill a need so long felt by those having waters too 
warm and limited for the propagation of brook trout and 
other game fishes : 
“ ‘ The carp is able,’ says Dr. Hessel, 6 to live in water where 
other fishes could not possibly exist — for instance, in the pools 
of bog-meadows or sloughs.’ Though it is not to be inferred 
from this that the best carp ponds should be thus located. 
u In Silesia, puddles two or three feet deep, in the villages, 
are used for raising two year old carp for stocking distant 
waters. From this resource a single estate realized what 
would amount to about fifty-five dollars to the acre of pond 
E 
