206 
CARP. 
tween crusians and carp, which are of a hardy na- 
ture, but seldom reach the size of other carp. The 
mules between carp and tench partake of the nature 
of both fish, grow to a good size, and have some 
parts of their bodies covered with the small slimy 
scales of the tench, while other parts have the larger 
scales of the carp. After the spawn are hatched, 
they are suffered to remain in the pond till the next 
spring, when they are removed to the nursery, or 
second kind of pond, where the young fry are 
brought up. 
The best time to put them into the nursery is in 
March or April, on a fine and calm day ; and it is 
necessary to send people all the first day round the 
pond, in order to drive the tender and weak fry 
from the sides, because they are bewildered in a 
strange place, and often become the prey of rapa- 
cious birds. If every thing goes on well, the fry 
will grow in two summers to the weight of four, five, 
and sometimes six pounds, and to be fleshy and 
well tasted. A great many Prussian gentlemen 
make a good profit by selling their carp after two 
years standing in the nursery, and export them 
even to Finland and Russia. 
The main-ponds are the last kind. In these 
carp are put that measure a foot, head and tail in- 
clusive. Every square of fifteen feet in the pond 
is sufficient for one carp, and will afford food, and 
room for the fish to play in. The more room carp 
have, and consequently the more food the pond 
