The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-09-20
THE CLARION.
wednesday. September 90. 1882
Carp Culture.

By Capt Milton P. Peirce, Wenonab, New
Jersey
The sdaptability Of carp to artihcially
constructed ponds in any part of the coun-
try, their wonderful hardness, prOdigious
fecundity, and astonishing growth, combined
with the excellent favor of their flesh, rem
der them the most desirable acquisition to
our food supply which has been developed
in modern times While the food carp will
thrive in lakes, large ponds, open streams,
and even in saltwater estuaries il not dis
turbed by predatory fish, it is obviously
impracticable for the present to introduce
them into such waters, because large por-
ton Of them would fall prey to predatory
fish, and even If they escaped all other
enemies they could not be readily secured
at all times when wanted. Their culture,
then, should be confined to purely artificial
ponds prepared expressly for them. At
least three ponds are required in order to
attain the best results, viz: breeding
pond, a nursery pond, and stock pond.
The breeding pond should be small and shall
low; the nursery pond two or three times
larger, and portions of it considerably
deeper; and the stock pond many times
larger than both the others combined, and
& small portion of it deeper An ordinary
miIl-pOnd can be utilized for stock pond,
but not as good results secured as in a pond
constructed and especially prepared for the
business There are many reasons tor this.
Perhaps the most important one is that
there is sure to be other fish ia mill-ponds.
Very few Of them can be drained dry,
which is important, for a little peculiar
special preparation of bottom is required.
Ia Europe, large tracts of level land are
flowed with water and stocked with carp,
say three years, then drained and devoted
TO agriculture for two years. This alternate
culture has been carried on extensively in
Germany for hundred years past and with
the most satisfactory results.
With proper preparation, one ton OF carp
can be raised per acre Of area of water, and
this without feeding and with but slight
attention.
Ponds for carp must have muddy bot
toms. IF they are not naturally so, few
inches of loamy earth should be introduced.
They should be so constructed that all the
water can be readily drawn of. They should
never be constructed over the bed of n
stream unless at or very near the soures.
There must be no other .tish Of any description
tChatertr, not eUel Diinn0tes IN ponds 1etth
carp Ponds constructed over the beds q
streams will be sure to contain other fish
which cannot all be driven out. Such
ponds are also liable to overflow during
storms. and most of the fish thereby lost
Carp ponds require but a small supply Of
water, barely enough to keep them at a uni
form level. They can be supplied by springs,
underdrains, or by leading water from
streams or ponds through screened trunks
or pipes and bitches. If the water becomes
quite warm, all the better, as such water
will supply more food. Carp are naturally
vegetable feeders, but will not refuse worms,
larvae and other animal substances. They
spawn in spring and summer and attach
their eggs to living plants, myT1oPhyttu0l
being the best for catching and retaining
the spawn, and wild rice the best for food.
The various water lilies and grasses, cress,
etc, are ali valuable.
Satisfactory results must not be expected
from ponds constructed in ravines and
shaded places. Successful carp culture can
be attained with far less trouble and ex-
pense than poultry culture, but not without
system. After the ponds have been proper
" prepared and the fish introduced, about
ali the attention required will be to draw
off the waters twice each year, once in early
spring and again late in the fall, to expel
intruders, assert the fish, etc.
1t is surprising how many intelligent peo-
pie seem to think that all which is required
in fish culture is to throw a dam across q
ravine, dig hole in wet ground, or in any
rude manner construct pond SO as to Sc
cure a small body of water into which they
can introduce few fish, They then expect
after a brief interval to reap perpetual
harvest. Such men will TO some extent, in
their immediate neighborhoods, at first
bring carp culture into dsrepute, while
those who engage in the business systemati.
cally will find it a source of permanent
pleasure and profit.
The subject is one which at best can only
be fairly introduced in an ordinary journa-
listic article, and prepare this one with
the understanding that the subject shall be
continued in future numbers of this jour
nal.