Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-07
CARP CULTURE IN WASHINGTON.
Great Success i'm the Management Of
the Ponds south Of the White House.

Great Success in the Mana2 ement Of
the Ponds south Of the White House.
There was quite collection of gentlemen
Interested in fish culture present Monday TO
witness the drawing Off of the water in the
carp pond Immediately north of Rips island,
west of Babcock lake. The water was set flow
ing saturday evening, and by Monday morning
the larger portion had been run off in the
natural way. when steam engine and pump
of large capacity was set to work. and the water,
which could not be reduced by the nat ural flow,
was soon pumped out at the rate Of / 400 gal
Ions per minute. The increase of fish in these
lakes has been immense the past season. 1t
will he impossible to arrive at the number of
young fish in this pond for several days Prof
Baird who was present most of the time
thinks the proportion will be quite equal to that
OF the BabcOck lake. Immediately east of it,
which was run off q few weeks since. This lat
ter lake produced
FULLY 100000 YOUNG CARP
from the fifty couple placed in there last year
after it was cleared out In the pond first
named there were forty couple of the two years
old carp put in for breeders, and these were
nearly all recovered Monday and placed in the
sinks on the island prepared for the purpose Of
Keeping them during the work or asserting.
These breeders not only showed their capacity
for multiplying. but have increased in size and
condition immensely. some of them weighing
from ten To twelve pounds. although they are
but three years old These are the leather carp
and have but few scales on them These scales
are growing less in numbers they grow
Older, and is one of the desirable results Of
proper care and treatment The scale carp are
not so desirable as food fish and do not thrive
well.
INTEREST IN CARP CULTURE IN THE SOUTHERN
STATES
Prof Baird is sending these young fish off
daily by train to all parts of the country, and
general interest is being taken in the culture of
the carp especially in the southern states where's
the temperature of the water is higher and more
uniform Thus far the success in rearing them
has been more marked i'm the southern waters
where they grow faster. Dr. Carey. state fish
commissioner of Georgia. was present Monday,
and saw the operation of drawing off this lake,
and thinks the increase every way satisfactory.
He takes much interest in the subject and tells
some remarkable instances of success in the
ponds of his state The exhibit of carp at the
recent fair at Atlanta was one of the wonderful
features on that occasion. DIR. HaSSel. Superin-
tendeGt in charge of these lakes under Prof.
Baird. is making some excellent improvements
on and about the island, and the numbers of
fish will be increased largely from year to year.
1t will not be long before this most delicious fish
will be found i'm all the markets of the country.
CARP IN THE POTOMAC.
Capt. Knight, the well-knOwn fisherman on
the Potomac river, also witnessed the opera
ton Monday, and pronounced these three years
old fish immense fellows. Hesays they are now
frequently caught about the river flats among
the grasses and are a delicious fish. Prof
Baird states that they will, no DOUBT. thrive and
become plentiful in this river in a few years. as
many have escaped from the ponds into the
river A large number was lost from the ponds
during the freshet of last spring. which swept
over the ponds. The large pond south Of Rips
island. which is now in course of construction
will be an admirable auxiliary. it will contain
about eight acres and will have all necessary ap-
pliances for working it to good advantage Both
the demand for these fish and the supply, Prof.
Baird states. has far exceeded his expectation.
and the success which has followed wherever
this industry has been introduced is very graft
flying to him.
CARP FOR NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
Two car loads Of these fish were shipped on
the 10 o'clock train Monday night to New York
and New Jersey for the purpose of stocking sew
erAi large ponds prepared by gentleman Of
means. who takes an interest in this subject and
proposes To make this permanent occupation
his expectation being to be able to furnish a
supply to the New York markets in the course
OF the next five years