The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-12
The Culture Of EeIs.

Most of the experiments in fish cul-
ture in this country have been confined
to those varieties thai arc very difficult
and costly to raise, and which require
quite cool and clear water. A vast
amount of time and money has been
spent in propagating and raising sal
mon and brook trout These fish GER
tainly rank among the luxuries, and
find reldy market, Notwithstanding
their very high price. Many raisers,
however, state that there is no profit in
trout unless they can be disposed of at
about dollar per pound at retail
There are in the West few localities
well adapted to the raising of trout.
Pure spring water of low temperature
is absolutely essential. A costly hatch
ing-house is required, while great skin
is constantly demanded in its manage
ment, Tanks or ponds constructed of
stone are needed for trout raising.
Much pains must be taken to exclude
other fish and marine ANIMALS Con-
slant care must be exercised to keep the
trout-pond can and all the food in
tended for the fish must be inspected.
Breeding stock is expensive and very
difficult to transport The fish, when
taken from the water, must be packed
IN ice when they are sent to market
during any season except winter. Trout
raising, Ike the culture o. hot-ho~sc
grapes and greenhouse plants, is an.
elegant pursuit, but it can hardly be
recommended for farmers, though they
may have fair supply of very good
On -.
depends on too many contingencies.
What is true of trout-raising is su stan
Tally true OF the raising of salmon. The
places where the salmon can be protita-
bly, raised and where the water can be
controlled by individuals are compare
lively few. These should be utilized
and rendered as productive as possible.
Considerable has been accomplished
during the past few years in the intro
duction of different varieties of German
carp. In many respects the carp is the
best fish for farmers to raise. 1t is har-
dy, easily transported, of fair quality,
and well adapted to waters that are
neither cold nor pure. Another fish
which is well suited to farms that are
supplied with water is the eel This is
the most neglected fish in the country
Few cells are found west of Niagara
Falls. 1t is believed by many that TIE
ocean is the native home of all varieties
OF cells, and that those now living in
fresh water found their way to lakes
and other bodies of fresh water through
rivers that flow into the ocean, The
oonger, or saltwater eel, is sold in large
quantities in all the Eastern cities, and is
disposed of to a considerable extent in
Western towns, The fresh-water eel is
rarely tver found in any market in this
| country. Many cells are consumed in
England. London is supplied with
eels that are brought from Holland.
| They are brought over in boats that are
specially fitted up for the purpose.
Raising eels has long been a lucrative
! business in the low countri IS" Eels
were held in high esteem by the ancient
Greeks and Romans. and the latter in
| troduced their culture into all the coun-
tries they conquered. Large bodies Of
water in Italy, some bTackish and some
| fresh, are devoted to eel cllture. The
fish are sent to towns along the coast in
| boats, and over the lind in cars and
wagons. The eel is fayorite article
of food in all Latin countries. The
Scotch and Irish have an antipathy to
eels, which they associate with snakes
and otherreptiles. Sportsmen are not
fond of them, and would gladly abolish
them from all the waters they fish in.
1t must be admitted that the eel is not
as attractive as the salmon, trout.
mackerel, bass or red-snapper. Ii is
not "a thing Of beauty"
Still, take one consideration with
another" the eel is one of the most val
uahle fish that are found in any waters.
Its flesh ranks with beef and mutton in
the quality Of nutritiousness. 1t con,
tains a large amount Of fat. There is
very little waste about eeis. The head
is very small, as is the space occupied
by the intestines. The skin, which is
readily removed, is useful for a variety
Of purposes. Eels contain very few
bones, and are of size admirably
adapted to cooking in the frying
Ipar. Most fish are liable to spoil il
they are kept out of water even a short
time. Fels, however, may be kept alive
several days by putting them in a suit
able vessel with some damp moss.
Whether intended for stocking ponds
or for the market they may be carrit d
across the continent almost without
difficulty BY means OF a rude tank &
shipper or dealer may keep eels al We
till thew are wanted for use. Scientific
men have long been in doubt in relation
to how cells multiply. That they do in,
crease very fast. however, i, wei
known There has also been consider
able speculation in regard to their chic
food So long as they continue to grow
to large size in a short time people have
no cause to render themselves unhappy
about what they eat. 1t is known tina
they devour insects Of all kinds, and ,
Massachusetts man has found out tina
their growth may be increased to al
most any extent by feeding them scrap
obtained at butcher shops. Eels viii
thrive in any waters where carp will
They do well in clear, deep lakes, ant
in shallow ponds and streams OF lat
n considerable attention has been paid f
0 e l-culture in England. and it is foun'
that they multiply fast and grow rapid
" in ponds filled with water that issue
from tile drains, in bog holes from
| which peat is taken, and in small lake
and streams that are of no value TO
raising other kinds of fish hicdq
/ Times.
Engineering in China has achieve
a notable triumph in the constructo