The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-06-13
The CLARION,
HOUSE, FARM AND GARDEN
Is The Carp Palatable and a Game
Fish,
CoRINTH, June l, 1883.

EDITORS CLARIoN:-About two
years agoquite q pumber of the lead
ing citizens of this county became
enthused upon the culture or raising
of the Carp. A dozen or more ponds
were made in this county, and dou-
bic that number Of persons applied
TO the Department for the much
praised and talked OF fish. Their
applications were honored, and the
fish sent and received. Mr.. G. +.
Stanley, an attorney, and Mr.. Thad.
l.. Adams, a wealthy planter, hav-
ing each Il beautiful suburban resi-
dence, We'd with each other in max
ing their ponds, and their laudable
rivalry resulted in the construction
of two large, deep and beautiful
lakes, the pride and admiration of
the good people of Corinth. Seven
teen mouths ago each put several
hundred of the "wee' fish in their
ponds, They averaged at that time,
in length, about two inches.
Mr.. Stanley, by certain signal,
taught his to come up for food. He
fed them with bread, scraps from the
table and lettuce from the garden.
During winter weather they bury
themselves in perpendicular position
heads FIRST, in the mud, and there
remain during cold weather, hence
they require no food during that
time. This spring they came forth
rollicking, jumping above, and skim
ming on the surface of the water,
ready and willing to eat anything
that might be given them suitable
for their food,
They are active fish, frequently
jumping as high above the water as
mountain trout does after fly or
in their play. Many visit the lake
daily, most of them bringing crack
ers or something with which to feed
them. Many were the coniectures
as to the amount of their growth.
Some thought they saw fish weigh,
ing from four to six pounds, others
from two to four pounds. This
afternoon ! suggested to Mr.. Stan
ley THAT we settle the three mooted
questions, to,wit: their size, wheth.
er or no they were game fish, that
is, whether they could be caught in
the old, but unsurpassed way, with
hook and line; and last, but by no
means least, whether they we're
palatable fish for the table. He
assented, and armed with poles and
lines, hooks and bait, we went to the
pond, and soon threw our hooks into
the water, and soon our corks were
going whizzing under the water, and
each of us had dangling from our
lines beautiful fish of some two
pounds in weight. Unloosing them,
we again threw our hooks in the
water and in little while we drew
out two more, a little larger than
the first. a stingy feeling came over
Mr.. s., and he said, "Let us stop,
it will soon be time for them 20
spawn, but preterring not to hear
hlm, again threw my hook in, and
in a very little while, caught larger
and more beautiful fish than any
of his predecessors.
They bite bravely, and when hung,
pull most vigorously, equal to any
trout | ever caught, hence they are
game fish. Insisted that the last,
and most essential question should
be settled, whether or no they were
toothsome. Mr.. S. looked first at
the fish and then at the pond, and at
one time | thought he was going to
return them to their water home,
but at last, said. Eyes, let us see if
they are good table FISH" So he
sent them to the house with instruc.
tions to the cook, ITO cook them in
the best style" | ate Of them, and
can honestly say, that the carp is a
most delicious fish for the table, and
consequently pronounce them both
u palatable and game Ash.
Respectfully, j. l.. w.