144 
BREEDING THE BLACK BASS. 
Pertinent to the subject of the private culture of fish, President 
C. J. Dittmar of the Game and Fish Conservation Commission, pub- 
lished a timely article on “Breeding the Black Bass” in the Country 
Gentleman, which is herewith reproduced : 
In recent years much progress has been made in the breeding of black 
bass and the stocking of waters in which this fish has hitherto been almost 
a stranger. At considerable cost in money and expert energy the breeding 
of the black bass has been put on a practical and satisfactory basis for 
Federal and State culture. It is now a question of enlarging the field of 
bass culture so as to include the breeding of this excellent fish by indi- 
vidual landowners. 
There is no fish ranking with the black. bass that will lend itself so 
readily to private culture. This is so because it is hardy, prolific and 
suited to a great variety of waters. It thrives in clear spring-water ponds. 
that maintain a low temperature and also does well in ponds or creek 
water that have a low winter and a high summer temperature. Though it 
likes good gravel and sand bottom in the waters it frequents, it does not 
despise mud. 
On nearly all country places of reasonable size there is some water that 
may be profitably used for the cultivation of the black bass. Unlike many 
other fish the black bass does not respond to the artificial methods of the 
modern hatchery. The spawn of the female cannot be taken and fertilized 
with the milt of the male and then be hatched in trays or jars by the opera- 
tion of running water. The fish must therefore be bred in artificial ponds. 
resembling somewhat their natural habitat. 
Of first importance in the making of a bass plant is the selection of 
the water supply. Many good bass breeders dislike spring-water brooks. 
or large springs as a source of water supply. On the other hand equally 
good bass breeders prefer to take their water supply from springs or spring 
brooks. 
One objection against a water supply from springs is that it lacks 
the nourishment furnished by creek and lake waters. The objection is 
valid, but it is, after all, of but little consequence. In artificial bass cul- 
ture no water will furnish a sufficient amount of food. The bass must be 
fed. The overhead expense of feeding twice a week is but a trifle less than 
feeding three times a week, so that the objection to spring water because 
of its lack of nourishment has not much weight. 
Spring-water ponds furnish some food for bass, such as frogs, crayfish,. 
and minute life that breeds in the weeds that grow in the shallow water. 
Lake and creek water used for bass ponds furnish the same food to be 
found in spring-water ponds and, in addition, a quantity of microscopic 
creatures that come from the territory drained by such water. 
Springs and spring brooks have many advantages for bass ponds over 
ordinary creek and lake water. For one thing the supply is regular and 
the temperature is more even, being some degrees higher than other water 
in winter and lower in Summer. The supply of spring water is more easily 
controlled than the supply from other sources. Lakes and creeks that. 
drain a large territory get wild in the spring and very often get beyond 
control. Moreover, at such times the water is roily, and for that reason 
more or less objectionable. 
As a rule there is a good fall on all Spring brooks, and a proper amount 
of fall is essential to the control of bass ponds. Where ponds are on the 
same level they cannot be emptied except by artificial force, whereas when 
there is suitable fall a group of three or four ponds may be emptied 
separately or collectively. 
When a spring brook or a number of springs has been selected as a 
source of supply, the ponds should be so arranged that the circulation will 
always be under control. If there are four ponds and these follow each 
other directly down stream, the water is likely to be too cold during the 
hatching season. Moreover, at this time the less circulation in the breeding 
pond, the better. It is essential, therefore, that the breeding pond be made 
