The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-08-28
FISH CULTURE.

Fish culture is one of our growing
industries.
Rivers are abundantly stocked with
hyperion fish-but it has been difficult
to find fish that would thrive and
live in our Southern ponds.
This has been at last accomplished
by the introduction of carp culture.
II has been mrde profitable business
in California, and three or four hun
dred dollars have been made from a
small pond.
We should make an effort TO propa-
gate this species of fish here, as we
have plenty Of fine pound water.
The following may prove interest
ing to those who wish to embark in
the carp business.
The introduction of this new food
fish is a subject of great Importance to
all inland communities. for there Is no
ditch, pond, mill-dam or any DOGGY,
muddy spot which can be converted
into a pond in which they will not
thrive. The carp belongs to the fam
ily OF the cyprinid;e, members OF which
are to be found in every stream and
tond in North America. The carp,
however, is king of his tribe, and those
who know do not hesitate to say, that,
as food-fish, it far eXcels the best OF
them. They are divided into three
groups: The scale carp, which most
closely resembles the original form,
having scales like ordinary fishes, and
has four thread-like appendages or
barbels under the chin; the mirror
carp has extraordinary large scales,
which run along the side of the body
in three OF four rows, the rest of the
body being bare, and the Heather" or
naked carp" which is almost desti-
tute Of scales, having only Il few along
the line OF the back, and has a thick,
soft skin, which is velvety to the
touch. Both the latter varieties, are
said TO he much superior to the scale
carp, which is best known in flavor,
hardness and adaptation to coniine-
ment 1t has been donlt sticated in
Europe from time immemorial, hav-
ing been introduced many centuries
ago from Central Asia or China, where
it is a native. Carp soon become
tame and cat from the hand of their
keeper. DIR. Hessel handles those in
the government ponds as if they we've
tame kittens, and says they come to
him when he whistles. Their fecun-
dity is great. A fish weighing four
or five pounds lays 100000 or 100000
or more eggs, and one Of ten or fifteen
pounds, 100000. In middle Europe
they spawn from May to August, and
the breeding season appears to be
nearly the same in Washington. The
eggs are sticky, and cling to plants
and twigs, Matching in from nine to
eighteen days, according to tempera-
ture. The actual rate of Increase is
very great, owing. in part, to the fact
that the parents do not devour their
young. The 10 fish brought to Wash
igton two years ago have increased TO
al least 10000. 1t is thus able to pop
ulate body OF water to the fullest
extent, and unlike the majority of
American food fishes, their diet is
largely vegetable. By means Of these
habits they are harmless to other
fishes inhabiting the same waters.
The carp is adapted to very varied
climates, and will thrive under condi-
tons unlavorable to any equally pala-
table American fish. 1t is very hardy
in al stages Of growth. In Europe
carp are always taken to market alive
in tanks or barrels, and if they are
not sold returned to the water alive at
the end of the day. In cold climates
they protect themselves from freezing
in winter by retiring in groups of 80 |
or 100 or more into centers in the mud |
dy bottoms called "kettles," where
they pass the time till spring huddled |
together in concentriG circles with
their heads together, the posterior
part Of the body raised and held i'm
movable, scarcely lifting the gills for
breathing, and without taking a parti-
Gle of food. This abstinence and tor
pidity lasts in cold countries six or
seven months, and thus they can live
out very vigorous winter It's
growth is very rapid. The normal
weight TO which the carp may attain
in three years in Europe is an aver
age of three to three aud three-fOurths
pounds