The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-12-21
Fish-The German Carp.

Mr.. EDuoR:-As many inquiries come to Us CON
corning the German Carp, would beg leave to
give. in brief, experience with said fsh, and
thus answer many in one.
We received. last March, from our State Fish
Commissioner. twenty German Carp. of the previous
seasons hatch, which put into pond that
had previously constructed.
The fish, when received, from one to two
inchrs long, and perhaps from five to eight would
weigh an ounce; at best. they very small min
nows, say large Is a seed of the soft maple.
The summer passed. and We had not seen. much
less fed the fish, until October 30, about seven
months after they had been put in thu pond. when
We procured sen, with view TO finding out what
had become of our fish. 4 trial SEEMING the pond
developed the fact that the fish still there, and
also, that a narrow aid weak sein not the
thing with which Ia capture German Carp, for some
went through over. and still others under the
sen.
The result satisfactory, however, for
cecded in capturing one, and seeing some five or
six more, all of which appeared to be about the
same size. The one we caught measured and
weighed by Messrs. Captain Philbritk and A. Bren-
nrr of Doniphan. and its length found to be
teen inches, and weight three pounds and two
ounces; all this seasons. seven months
growth.
The German Carp is n vegetable feeder, srbsist-
ing on the natural vegetable productions of the
water-nos-es, aquatic plants, &e.-aiso lettuce,
cabbage eressos, and the various grains-'in fact"
says State Fish Commissioner. .'they do not
fuse Wholesome food of any kind if it he vegetable.
but will eat other fish Crusts of bread
aud broken grain form n very acceptable diet.
We think that the culture Of fish NAV. Mt no dis
tant day. Income important interest in agri-
culture. Fish Commissioner Long says that four
square rods of pond will produce fish enough for an
ordinary family.
The essentials for II pond may be put down :
follows: lsi. supply Of water suftci, Mt to make
good absorption and evaporation. The water need
not he cold spring water. ID. Security against
breakase and overflow. whereby the fish would b,
lost. 3D. Entire freedom from all other varieties Of
fish.
The Urted States Government furnishes the fish.
twenty to each arplicant,l free of charge. except
for can and cost Of shipment, which amounts to
about 81 30 for twenty young Carp.
The Fish Commissioners recommend that ponds
he prepared year before stocking and they also
claim that the German Carp will grow to weigh
from six to ten pounds, the SECOND year. which We
do not doubt. since ours have grown weigh three
pvunds and upward the first year.
= Some have made inquiries, and at our statements
have exclaimed. Il fish story i---ome of them
preachers, too. Well. you not asked to believe
our statement. neither will make affidavit for
your benefit: but those who are interested. may
convince themselves TO the truth falsiiy Of
statements. by coming and seeing for themselves
Al present. The fish in winter quarters, = We
suppose. with their heads down in the mud. and
posierior upward, in which condition they remain
during the winter, neither stirring eating until
awakened by the warmth of spring.