Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-08
Carp culture.

The Sdr, OF Wednesday, has the following:
The yearly draining off of the water from
government carp ponds was commenced last
Saturday and was continued Monday. Re-
suits show that the season for breeding has
been successful beyond the expectation of
Prof. Baird. There are now three large
ponds in which fish have been cultivated
In the group at the foot of the Washington
monument, another, much larger than the
others, will be added the coming season, con-
tanning eight acres. This pond will be COM
peted in few days, when the water will lie
let in, and stock of about $50 large carp
will be put in, which, it is expected, will
m materially increase the annual supply to
meet the orders received constantly by
Prof. Baird. The number of young carp Of
last years spawn thus far taken out OF these
ponds and placed in the pools on the small
island by the lakes, is estimated to be about
100000. These are the young fish Matched
out last season in May, June and July, and
are now of nearly uniform size, healthy,
and Just in a condition to be shipped. Tie
entire number sent from this city last year
by Prof Baird was about 100000. That
number will probably be nearly doubled
this year. The large pond will be stocked
this spring for the first time, and it is
thought will swell the number to be distrib-
uted ne xt year TO at least 100000. There
are about ). venty Of the original fish brought
from Germany still alive in the sea ponds
They are about thirty inches in length and
large in proportion. Some of them weigh
from fifteen to twenty five pounds. Carp
grow much faster during the first four yeara,
while attaining the full spawning age, after
which the growth OF the female is retarded.
The young fish Matched out last May vary in
length from three to seven inches. When the
fakes are drained each year all the cells and
catfish are thrown out, as they devour tie
young carp. DR.. Has4ell, who has charge of
these lakes, told reporter that last sum-
mer he put into one OF the small
ponds on the island a large pumpkin weigh
ing sixty pounds, first cutting hole in the
side of it, 30 that the small fish could get in
side. He states that it WAS entirely devourtd
in eight days, rind and all, and during the
whole time it was constantly in motion from
the schools of young fish always at work
upon it. They seemed exceedingly fond Of
the sweet morsel, and appeared TO thrive en-
it, The sides OF these lakes, paved with
stone, have 10 be repaved and the clay well
packed al the lower edge, as every year the
carp undermine the walls by burrowing ard
boring for small worms. One of the SUB
stances which the young fish seem to relish
is sort OF aqueous plant, always submerged,
of a deep green color, and Shiny. This,
when seen through a microscope, is a mass
of plants full of joints, at regular intervals,
and swarming with animalcule all in coz
slant motion. These are constantly devourt,d
by the carp, and as constantly being repro
duced, so that there seems to be no end TO
the crop of food. As to the pecunial.y
success which has been attained by carp
culture, thus far everything is promising.
One gentleman, in one OF the South
era States, reports that from the twenty five
fish he received about two and half years
ago, he sold last year 5000 worth of young
carp from the first spawning. DIR. Hsssel
places the carp next to the shad in point Of
value as food fish, but does not consider it
equal to the salmon. The leather carp is
the favorlte, as it has no scales and il is
always thrifty aud vigorous. The past win
ter has been quite favorable for these fab,
rs they have been able most OF the time 10
feed. Hundreds OF persons who have re-
ceived fish from Prof Baird give the most
satisfactory accounts of suects So. Most Of
these accounts come from Southern States,
where the ponds are not 50 cold. DR.. Has
sci states that he hopes Prof. Baird's next
crop will number at least a million, and he
believes it will should no accident happen 10
the propagating lakes The entire area Of
water which will he given 10 carp raising
the coming season will be twenty acres.
Minor Mention.
John *. Faulkner was confirmed surveyor
OF customs at Louisville, KY, and not at
Franklin.
There was no meeting of the cabinet to-
day, owing TO the desire Of the President 10
observe Good Friday.
General Sherman telegraphs friend tha
he rejoices over the passage of the bill for
the compulsory retirement OF army officers