The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-11-23
GERMAN CARP AND SPEOKLED
CATFISH.
How Ponds and Waste Places May BE
Made Productive.

1t has long been conceded that flsh
culture is, or can be made, among the
not least profitable branches of farm
inc to which the farmer may turn his
attention. Especially has this been
true since the Introduction into Ameri-
can waters of the German carp. This
species of the carp family which is
known in Europe as the common carp,
Cgprinus carpi0, is highly esteemed for
food. Some years ago, 1t Will be re-
membered, number of them were
planted in the waters of the Hudson
and few other streams OF this
country, where they become readily ac-
climatized and with that fecundity so
peculiarly characteristic of this family
multiplied with wonderful rapidity.
These fish sometimes attain a length OF
four feet, and live to great age.
Among American specimens belonging
to this family are the brook minnow or
black-nosed dace, the common sinner,
the red-fn, and the lake chub; but
none of these varieties attain their
growth as quickly as does the Euro
pean carp, neither are they equal to
them for the table. The business OF
raising fish as a source OF profit is
steadily increasing in Importance, and
will become more general as 1t Is bet
ter understood.
Mr.. j. +. Jones, of Troup county,
Georgia, is one of the few men in the
country who is actively interested in
| fish culture, and, being so far success
full. his experiences as he has given
them are of interest and value to all
seeking information on this subject
In July of 1882 he began to build
fish-pond, and by November OF that
wear had it so far completed as to keep
the water on nearly an acre. Into this
he put twenty German carp. In JAN
nary he had another acre ready, and
into that he put second lot of twenty.
AT the time of putting in the first they
were from two to three inches long;
thew are now from seventeen to twenty
inches long, and weight from three to
four pounds each. These fish, being
too Young, have not yet spawned, and
will not before next spring. In June
last he put into his pond four carp two
years old and ready to spawn. The
4th of July he noticed that Matching
was going on, and a few days later he
could see that he had thousands OF
young fish. From that spawn he now
has fish from six to eight inches long.
When it is remembered that they were
Matched in July their rapid growth to
size fit for use will be fully realized.
Concerning the spawning and Matching
process, Mr.. Jones says:
These spawners deposited their eggs on
the blades Of grass and other swamp
growth inhabiting my pond, on the under
side, or next to the water, near me ne sur SUI
and atmosphere did the work OF Matching.
. don't know how long the process was go,
ing on. / only know that the fish had
only been in the pond some TWENTY-FIVE OF
thirty days. One other curiosity Is, t aI
though the matching was about or at the
same time with both spawners. Some OF
them measure four inches, and from tina
to eight. Some are more healthy, hardler
:, or by some means grow faster than oth
ers. This is my experience and success!
with carp raising so far
q Mr.. Jones is also experimenting witt
Il another variety of fish, which he feel
sure will prove profitable, and which
!, is as naturally pond fish as is tn
II German carp. This is the speckle'
catfish. Of this he put, in May last
S four spawners into his pond, and tn
22d of August, 100 days from the tim
he put them in, handled the spawn
which in this short time were five an
/ six inches long. No fish increas
f.; faster than the speckled cat, Will
e their growth, it is seen, is as rapid a
"a could be desired. When well attende
= to, they will weigh four pounds in tw
y years growth, and of course are large
VI when older, if well fed and in pond
,r which are adapted to their customs
j. They inhabit still waters, and love veg
a citation, such as naturally grows in an
n around still water ponds. They wi
eat readily a dough made of meal {
flour: also flesh, such as the entrails
" chickens, shoats, or sheep. They al
M an excellent fish for the table, IL
X meat being remarkably sweet an
y. tender. They are easily raised, m
e, can be readily caught when wanted.
v. Regarding the construction and a
L. rangement of his pond Mr. Jones say
y "My deepest water is about five fe
IL deep, and tapers off, over little mo
than three acres of ground, to nothin
10. or as shallow as water can be. thil
IS, about one-third of my pond is four
five feet deep, and one-third one and
half to three feet deep, and then gra
ually lessening in depth to its ede
AT one corner 1 with a branch wash
into the pond a sandbed for beddir
which is a necessity; but they occu
lie, such surface no longer than until hate
ice ing Is done, when Dotn the oiu ana
~. young put out for mud bottom suppo
The remainder of the pond is mud b
az tom with swamp vegetation abunda
ne such as rush, swamp grass OF seve
xor;at;aa xvater-li1v etc.