"THe millions of goldfish shipped out by the 
Three Springs Fisheries every year are prob- 
ably the most carefully tended children in the 
world. The pools into which they are spawned, 
as eggs, are inspected daily and kept clear of 
any foreign growth so the laying brood fish 
will deposit their eggs on fish nests provided 
for them. 
When laden with eggs, these nests—masses 
of Spanish moss laced to wooden racks—are 
removed to other numbered and catalogued 
pools where a close watch can be kept on them. 
Approximately 90 per cent. of the fish develop 
completely satisfactory color and are chan- 
neled into the market pools. Those that do not 
color up to specifications are sold, along with 
an especially bred strain of colorless goldfish, 
for bait. 
As the fish grow into maturity they become 
an increasingly valuable asset. Fishery em- 
ployees patrol the area constantly to watch for 
seagulls, fish hawks, kingfishers, ducks, and all 
other fish eating birds, which would soon de- 
plete the ponds if not driven away. 
When a pond of fish is ready for the market 
it is drained. The fish gather into a depression 
in one end and are taken from there by net. 
For a few days before shipment, then, they are 
“hardened” for life in the outside world in 
ponds fed by cold, clear springs. Then they are 
ladled into steel tank containers and shipped. 
ow Ribansic 
