The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-28
Fish Culture by Farmcrs.

Why should not farmers and others
raise fish for the market and for their
domestic uses, MS well rs cattle, fowls,
or any other living stock For SO staple
and healthy IN article OF food, it seems
as absurd to be dependent upon chance
capture in wild state as IL would be 10
rely for our poultry upon the fortune Of
the hunter or for our vegetable supply
upon the finding OF suitable esculents
III localities In which knowledge OF
botany may tell us they ought to grow.
The efforts OF the fish commissioners
in this and other parts OF the country,
in stocking the waters with the spawn
OF valuable specleB Of fish, will I'M
doubtedly largely increase the numbers
OF tho tinny denizens Of our rivers and
stieams bit the labor Of securing M
abundant and really obtainable supply
ia thus only begun, and it seems to us
that II may be continued by every
dweller in the rural districts having tho
simple facilities requisite for the c0ti'
struction and maintenance OF suitable
fish reoeptacles.
Artificial incubation and the stocking
OF private ponds are Of cotrse no novel
idea. History tells us Of the Vnst Sims
expended for such purposes during the
decline Of the Roman empire and pis-
ciculture, especially in the monasteries,
seems to have fourished through the
middle ages. The success which has
attended all modern Efforts in similar
direction, even in tho propagation oi
the trout and other delicate species,
leaves little doubt but that, ut very
moderate outlay Of time and money,
every farmer could provide himself
with d we'll stocked pondI Which lie
would find n constant source OF valiablC
remuneration.
DR.. j. II. Slack, the New Jersey Com
missioner Of Fisheries, writes to the
7ribtne b letter containing many use
full hints relating to this subject. Re-
ferring to the preparation Of the posds,
lie says that two points must not be
overlooked: proper proportions OF the
bnnks and freedom from surface water.
Tor the former, With ofdihnfy lcdm, the
following proportions will be found
correct: Let tho base of tho tank equal
three times its height, and let the width
Of the top equal the height. Thus, Il
the tank be ID feet high tie base should
he 80 feet and the width at the top II
feet. The sluices and overflow should
be made Of stone laid in cement. Wood,
it is stated, will rot very rapidly and
will prove Of no value. The services
of n competent engineer may 10 EN-
ployed to advantage, and the money ex'
pended for such supervision will save
much trouble and yexation. Surface
water is fertile source Of trouble, rs II
carries with IL brush and leaves, which
cltg the screens, allowing the contents
to overflow and permitting the escape
OF the fishes. In most cases, n series
Of bitches, entirely Surrounding tile
ponds, will carry of the surface water,
u gate being placed at the head Of the
ponds with IN opening only allowing rs
much water to enter us can be readily
conducted away. AT the sluico gates
screens OF wire gauSo must be placed tC
prevent the egress OF the fish. These
should be made OF galvanized wire II o.
large mesh, and Of copper il fine. A
screen OF coarser mesh, placed few
inches up stream from the fish screen
will arrest much Of the Aoating trasf
and prevent ologging. This second
screen, called the leaf screen, should bt
placed ut an angle Of about 60 deg
that a greater surface may be exposed
to the water.
As regards stocking the tanks, 1t car
hardly be expected TINT every farmel
can enter into the careful operations o.
trout culture, but there are plenty oI
other varieties of fab suitable for food
which may be easily and probably
reared. Tho ordinary cat fish (l1tmeio
dus) will thrive and breed in almosl
stagnant water, and is hardy and endur
ing. Tho female takes care Of her
young, which, for some weeks aftel
they are Matched, follow her abou
ms chickens do hen. For large ponds
through which n gentle carrent can b.
made to flow, the best fish for the soutl
is the southern bass Cgrystcs sainoicles.
It has a variety OF names and is know
also rs the yellow and black bass, trout
club, and growler, The adult fish is 0
n greenish brown color with q bluisl
black spot upon the gill, the younI
having in place of the spot from two t
four longitudinal bars the back fin i
spinous and high, and the tail is simila
to that OF the trout. Besides the abov
two varieties mentioned as examples
there are scores equally valuable rs food
some indigenous to northern, others II
southern waters, which will probabl,
suggest themselves TO our readers inter
estGd in the subject.
II the pond be well supplied will
aquatic insects and plants, the fishe
will need no food; but generally over
stocking Is the case aud hence certail
quantity is required. Any kind Of ani
nal food, cooked or tncooked, is suit
able; the entralis OF fowls, lights o
beef, oxen and hogs, il thrown in il
small pieces; will DO eaten with avidity
About IIeads-By a Boy.
Heads are of different shapes anl
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