Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-02-19
AGRICULTURAL.
Carp A. L Farm Crop.

Professor Baird has for long time
attached considerable importance to
the carp, especially to supply the want
OF a fish for the South representing
the front Of the Northern States. To
this end an effort was made in 1877
to bring the carp from Germany, re-
sulting first in failure, but finally in
the successful introduction Of $40
specimens of three varieties. To give
some idea of the value of carp as a
fish for the farm, German writer's
maintain that far gre ater amount of
animal food can be obtained from
given number OF carp ponds, than the
same ground will furnish FROM the
cultivation of crops fed to domestic
animals. The fish are kept in China,
it is stated, in wash tubs, and fed with
animal refuse as we would fatten some
of our domestic animals and from this
small kind of fish culture the propaga'
'tion is carried on in varying scales
until we find an Austrian Prince de-
voting no less than 10000 acres to the
growing Of the carp. According to
Professor Baird's report'it is custom
in Germany to alternate on the same
ground from carp culture to the cul-
tivation Of the cereals; after certain
number Of years the ponds are drawn
off, and after drying, are seeded down;
one or two crops are obtained, the
water is returned, and the carp rein
stated. This is rotation of crops
pure and simple, and certainly per-
tains as much to agriculture as the
t.tting ofhogs for market or the rails
ing Of chickens.
In form the carp is very like the
common gold fish of our alnaria. The
color is olivaceous, and there are four
rarpels about the mouth, which are
entirely wanting in the gold fish. In
ponds the fish is much more sluggish
than in running water and the body
becomes stout and the flesh tender and
delicate, running Water, on the contra
ry, gives it more slender body, a
sharp back, and tougher flesh. AS
before stated the carp is vegetable
feeder, which is a great advantage in
its cultivation over many other fish,
the aquatic plants, roots and vegetable
matter in the water furnishing album
dant food, or, if artificial feeding is
required, this may be accomplished by
means Of such cheap substances as
pieces of cabbage, lettuce, leaves, and
seeds; crumbs Of bread boiled corn or
potatoes can also be fed. Carp grow
rapidly, and a weight Of two or three
pounds is not uncommon by the end of
the second year. It's growth is more
rapid in warm than a cold climate,
MS in the latter the ISL must be hi.
bernate through the Winteria the mud
at the bottom Of the pond, for the time
ceasing to grow. When the fish be-
come abundant-and the United States
Fish Commission having introduced
them will futher propagate and dis
seminate them-our farmers may add .
to the capabilities of the farm BY pre-
pairing a good carp pond that will not
ony furnish very delicate food, but
perhaps prove a source OF proft, and
there is no ditch or pond, or any
muddy, Doggy spot capable Of being
converted into pond, Of more or less
size that will not answer for the fish /
There are two principal varieties Of
carp cultivated, the mirror and the
leather carp. In the first named the
scales have very nearly disappeared, |
while the latter variety is often scale
less. The scale carp, a third variety,
is the best known but is inferior to
the others,-Charles R. Dodge.