Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-02-10
German Carp.

The Commissioner Of Agriculture sent to
our town small supply OF German carp
lass Friday, which were distribnted among
the following oitizens: Messrs. D. Smith,
D, A. Mulkey, ]. NJ. Hendrix, g. Wanner, j.
w. Shelor. r, A. Thompson and J. w. Strib.
ling. These parties will give this ash fair
trial aud If it proves as prolific and easy Of
propagation as It IL Represented TO bs, we will
oonsider it q great blessing to every inland
community. The clearing up OF our lands
and consequent filling up Of our streams has
greatly redaced the supply Of native fsh,
apd}itis probable that at no distans day fsh
culture will not only bo common but profita.
BILE for food aud health. In connection with
the propagation Of carp we clip the following
from an exchanges:
The introduction Of the German carp, in
this country is q matter of special interest
aud importance to all inland communities
that heretofore have experienced dearth of
fish food, for the carp will thrive 10 either
artificial or natural ponds having muddy bot.
toms, with almost no care at all.
The special merit Of tho corp lies in tho
fact of it's sluggishness and the ease with
which it 10 kept in very limited enclosures
it boing q vegetable feeder and its general
inoffensiveness. Trout and black bass re-
quire supply Of animal food for their sus~
tenance and growth, but carp, while not
disdaining flies, worms and the like. thrive
on the sucoulent roots, leaves Of aquatic
plants and their seeds. They also readily
feed upon corn, grain. bread, root crops, raw
or boiled, and indeed any vegetable refuse
whatever. They thrive best in ponds with
muddy bottoms, and whenever the water be
comes cold or frozen over at the surface the
fish bury themselves in the mud, congregat-
ing in lots f ON fifty to one hundred and con-
stituting what is called in Germany "kettles." +"
1t is important that they should not be dis
turbed under such circumstances. Of course
while alternating in this way they arc not
feeding, although it is said they do not lose
appreoiably in weight. In the moro South
ern regions, whore the waters do not freeze,
they will doubtless feed throughout the year
and make more rapid growth.
As regards the best plants for q carp pond
the United States Fish Commissioner mon
tions the ordinary pond weeds spatter dock
or pond lily-and indeed any Of the kinds
that grow in the water with leaves floating
uron the surface, duckweed among the
number. Those producing seed, like wild
rice, are especially desirable. In large ponds
it may not be necessary to give special food,
but in restricted Enclosures they may be fed
with the refuse Of the kitchen, garden, leaves
Of cabbage, lettuce, hominy and other sub
stances. When grain is fed to fish it is bet
ter boiled. A 6 ,od plan is to have the pond
arranged so that the water can be drawn off
at will, leaving oil the fish collected in small
basin near the outlet. This is for the con-
venience of asserting the fish and selecting
such rs may be required elsewhere.
Carp spawn in May and juno and, under
some circumstances, throughout tho entire
summer. They are very prolific and tho
eggs of tho female adhere tenacously to
whatever they touch; 70. this reason It is im-
portant that new pond bo provided, with
floating weeds for such attachment. The
eggs hatch out in n few days and the young
grow very rapidly. A Nevada exchange,
in illustration of the prolifcness of carp,
cites the experience Of Mr.. Moshier, of
Stockton. who from seventeen young carp
gained in one year 5000 curp from five to
seven inches long. His pond was 70 feet in
diameter and feet long. Tho bottom and
sides of the pond wero cemonted to render
it water tight. The water was supplied from
q we'll seventy feet deep; 1t was pumped into
the pond by means Of windmill. The cost
of this pond was $l00. Farmers who feel
interested in growing carp can. of course.
raise oil that would be required for family
use in much smaller pond than the ono
described.