The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-03-19
Carp Culture,

The introduction Of the German carp IN This
country Is a matter OF special interest and i'm
pOrtance to all inland communities that here
totore have experienced dearth Of fish food,
for the carp will thrive in either artificial OF
natural ponds having muddy bottoms, with
almost no care at all.
The special merit of the carp lies in the
tact of its slugglshness and the ease with
which it is kept In very limited Enclosures It's
being vegetable feeder and its general lnof-
fensivcness. Trout and black bass require a
supply of animal food for their sustenance and
growth; but carp, while not disdainnG flies,
worms and the like, thrive on succulent roots,
leaves of aquatic plants and their seeds. They
also readily feed upon corn, gram, bread, root
crops raw or boiled and indeed any vegeta,
bic refuse whatever. They thrive best in
ponds with muddy bottoms, and whenever the
water becomes cold or frozen over at the sur
face the fish bury themselves in the mud, con
gregatlng IN lots Of from fifty to one hundred
and constituting what Is called In Germany
"kcttles" 1t Is important that they should
! not be disturbed under such circumstances.
Of course, while alternating IN this way, they
are not feeding, although it Is said they do not
lose appreciably III weight. In the more
southern regions, where the waters do not
freeze they will, doubtless, feed throughout
the wear and make a more rapid growth.
! As regards the best plans tor carp.pond,
the United States Fish Commissioner mentions
the ordinary pond wceds-splatter dock or
pond lily-and, indeed any of the kinds that
grow in the water, with leaves floating upon
the surface, duckweed among the number.
Those producing seed, like wild rice are es-
pecIally desirable. In large ponds it may moi
| be necessary to give special food; bu! in re-
strlcted Enclosures they may be fed with the
rafr "a of the kitchen garden leaves of cab
| baCe, lettuce, hominy, and other substances
When grain IL fed to fish, it is better boiled
A good plan is to have the ponds arranged Sc
that the water can be drawn oil at will leaving
all the fish collected in IL small basin near the
outlet. This is for the convenience OF assort
| ing the fish and selecting suchs as may be
required elsewhere.
| earn spawn in May and June, and under
some circumstances throughout the entire
summer. They are very prolific and the eggs
of the female adhere tenaclously 70 whatever
they touch tor this reason it is important thai
new pond be provided, with floating weeds
for such attachment The eggs hatch out IN 8
few days, and the young grow very rapidly
| A Nevada exchange, IN illustration OF the pro
likeness of carp, cites the experience OF MIR
Moshier, of Stockton, who from seventeen
Young carp gained in one year 5000, from
five TO seven inches long His pond was II
feet in diameter and feet deep. The bottom
! and sides of the pond were cemented to render
| IL water tight The water was supplied IRON
n well 20 feet deep. 1t was pumped into th'
pond by means of windmill. The cost al
| This pond was 300 Farmers who feel inter
ested in growing carp can, Of course, raise nj
that would be required for family use IN
Imuch smaller pond than the one described
| World.