15 
mixed gravel and sand, which early in’ the spring are placed everywhere in 
shallow water around the pond. They are at once appropriated by pairs of 
basses seeking spawning places. The boxes have boards nailed on two sides 
at adjoining corners, which extend about a foot higher, affording shelter for 
the basses similar to that which they naturally seek under the shelter of 
submerged logs. Basses guard their nests for several days after the spawn 
has been deposited, and it is the custom at fish cultural establishments to 
place over the nest before the young fishes leave it, a light circular frame 
or iron covered with cheese cloth, one end of which protrudes above the - 
water. This prevents the young fishes from wandering away from the nest, 
and makes it possible for them to be removed from the dip net to nursery 
ponds, where they are safe from their enemies and Bas cannibalistic tenden- 
cies of their parents. 
One of the numerous private ponds visited by the ai a pond half a mile 
in length, was examined with great care and found to be totally lacking in 
gravel areas. Although it had been stocked several times with small- 
mouthed black bass, there had been apparently no natural increase. With 
a mud bottom it afforded no spawning surface whatever for this species. The 
writer recommended the introduction of numerous artificial spawning nests, 
or the introduction of the large mouthed bass which would not require gravel 
beds but could spawn among the abundant water plants. It is probably 
unnecessary to add that there should be no fishing allowed during the 
spawning season, which with most of the fishes mentioned is the spring 
months. 
Number of Fishes Peouiren sin stocking waters it is not necessary to 
have a large number of adult fishes. For a pond of about an acre in ex- 
tent, twenty pairs of black bass will be sufficient, and perhaps fifty pairs of 
any of the other kinds of fishes mentioned. These numbers will in fact 
suffice for still larger ponds and should be reduced for smaller ponds. When 
the conditions are right the progeny of the first year will usually stock the. 
pond to the limit of its natural-food supply. It should be borne in mind 
that heavy stocking serves no useful purpose, unless it is the intention to 
catch some of the adults the first year. It is just as well to stock with two 
-or three kinds of fishes and time will show which species are the best 
adapted in that particular body of water. With black bass the yellow perch 
may be placed with safety, not only on account of the food it supplies to the 
former, but also on account of its own value as a food fish. It is remarkably 
prolific, and with a good start can usually take care of itself. The same 
may be said of the catfish. It is harmless since the basses and sunfishes are 
active in guarding their own nests. The yellow perch and the eatfish may 
also be introduced into ponds containing rock bass or calico bass. There 
is no reason why black bass, rock bass, and calico bass should not be kept 
together if the pond is of considerable size. 
