The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-09-15
Fish Culture by Farmers.

Some months since weur9ed upon
our readers, on whose farms were
found running streams of water
that could be depended on all the
year round, the propriety of prepar-
ing for themselves fish ponds, and
of stocking them with the fish now
being SO literally distributed by the
United States fish commission. We
have, however, no idea that our sug-
gestions are even as much as
needed, much less acted upon. In
neglecting this matter we are quite
satisfied our readers are doing them
selves great injustice, foi there is no
article of food raised on the farm
that affords more relishable or de-
licious dish, or one that can be pro-
vided at so little cost as can be OBJ
tanned from well stocked fish pond.
All the expense that need be in
Cured is confined to the labor of
preparing the bed for the pond;
when, by following the instructions
given below, stock may be had for
the asking, and in year or two all
the fish necessary TO supply
neighbOrhood:
THE GERMAN CARP.
The United States fish commits
sioner, Professor Spencer f. Baird,
who is zealously endeavoring to in
troduce into America waters the
German Carp, has recently address
ed q letter to each of the members
of congress on the subject, from
which we are informed that the gen.
eral distribution by the government,
which is intended for all persons
who may avail themselves of the OPP
pOrtunity, will commence as early
in the fall as will be safe to draw
the water from the breeding pond
at Washington. Applications by
private parties must be made
through their immediate represent
tative in congress, who can furnish
the necessary forms; Instructions,
etc.
This is subject of the utmost inn
pOrtance to our people, and we hope
to see them properly improve the
opportunity presented for obtaining
the supply necessary for stocking
private ponds and running streams
with this most excellent fish. The
introduction of the carp in different
sections of Virginia and other south
ern states has been attended with
the most gratifying success. AL
though they do better in large bodies
of water, yet they thrive in small
ponds, such as any farmer may pro-
vide with little expense or labor.
The Winchester Times informs us
that three months ago Mr.. Thatcher
Evans procured sixteen little fishes
of this variety and placed them in
the dam near the paper mill. They
were then from an inch to an inch
and a half in length. On Satur-
day he drew the water from the
dam for the purpose of cleaning
it, and found they had increased in
length to about nine inches and
weighed from twelve ounces to a
pound each. From one small pond
at Washington, we witnessed last
fall, taken from two we'll grown
carp, deposited a year previous,
over twenty thousand small ones,
some of which were nearly large
enough to fry. Their rate of in
crease is truly wonderful. We can
not too strongly urge upon our peo-
pie the general introduction and
cultivation of the carp. There
should be established at once in
every neighborhood at least one
carp pond, which, with proper care
snd attention, would be the means
of supplying any reasonable de-
mand for their increase. Let our
farmers everywhere take action on
this important subject. Prepare
ponds fed by pure running streams,
when practicable, and apply through.
your member of congress for the
fish necessary to stock them.-iSOufh-
eTa Planter and Farmer.