The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-22
THE STATE FISH PONDS.
An Extensive Public Enterprise.

In company with state fish commits
sioner, r. X. Robertson, Friday a rep
resentative visited the fish Matching
and breeding ponds of the state.
These ponds are across the
Colorado river. and Just above Bar
tons creek, and about two hundred
yards below BartOn's springs and
mill. Entering gate, we were adj
mitted inside a fence that runs along
the south side of small valley in the
shape of an iSosceleS triangle, the
fence forming one side, the hills to the
south forming the other equal side
and a point of jutting, rugged rocks
at the eastern part turning sharply
toward the river, forming the base. \
place more adapted could not have
been found, perhaps. in the entire
state.
The POND.
Mr.. Robertson had basin dug on
the west side of the enclosure, shall
low at the upper or southern end,
gradually deepening, until a "kettle"
flor the breeding fish was formed
about ten feet deep. The form of
this pond is that of trapezium.
About three feet east of this one, sep
arated by wall of earth, is second
and larger pond of like form, and to
the south of this second is a third,
very much larger and in the form of
an equilateral triangle. The first two
pOndsaieScribed have been used so far.
The margins all around and shallow
places of these three ponds have been
planted with rushes, grasses, crosses,
ETC., as this in a mud bottom is the
finest method known for carp breed
ing. Along the south of the ponds
a trench or gutter is dug in which
tanks are placed at intervals,
and by means of rubber sy-
phons fresh water is passed from
one TO another, and then into the
creek, continually. These tanks are
used for keeping carp that are taken
from the ponds for shipment; they
are taken from the ponds with a net,
placed in these tanks, thence counted,
put into transportation cans, labeled
and shipped to any citizen of thes state.
who applies for them.
THE WATER SUPPLY
is obtained from Barton's springs
above. 1t is pumped from the springs
ny Il hdICI WHICH,
forced through large three-inch pipe
to valve on the edge of the pond, where
the stream can be regulated. This
supplies l44.O00 gallons per day, when
run at an ordinary speed, and costs
only eighty cents per day. Only
eighty cents for $4,000 gallons per
day! The water is carried from one
pond to another by rubber hose, the
pressure of the atmosphere forcing it
through. The entire management and
speak volumes in favor
of the energy, ability and industry of
Mr.. Robertson; and. by next summer,
the immense number of carp he will
be enabled to ship off will alone
more than repay the state the
small amount expended in establish |
ing and maintaining this industry. |
Space forbidS a detailed account of |
the methods of propagating, feeding |
and rearing; but, an idea can be had of |
the worth OF the ponds when it is |
known that, with the number of |
spawning fish now in hand, not less |
than $1,000 Or 1900 carp will be ready |
TO be shipped by fall. There are a |
number of fine carp in the ponds now, |
over thirty-three inches long. They |
grow to be twelve and twenty-five |
inches long in eighteen months or two |
years, and are very toothsome. 1t |
will repay any one to visit these |
nOndS