Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1884-12-29
CARP IN OREGON.
Experience of Farmer in Raising This Kind
of Fish

gives text to subject of interest that
of successful carp culture. 1t seems
to an ordinary observer that the rivers
and streams of Oregon are deficient in
fish. There are but few varieties, and
they are fewer in number in contrast
with eastern waters. We allude to
the smaller table fish, of those sorts
which claim a permanent residence
with us. The lordly salmon pay us
yearly visits, and no fish is finer or
more plentiful but of the varieties of
gamey fish, such as delight the heart
of the angler, we have but few. 1t
has long been demonstrated that fish
are easily propagated and raised, only
calling for home and pre- lection to
yield prolific returns; costing nothing
for food, provided that they are not
crowded in too small ponds, yet how
little is done toward general culture.
Mr.. Leslie has network of ponds,
seven in all, covering ten acres of
land. He has utilized the natural lay
of the land, SO there has been compar-
atively little labor done in the con-
struction of these ponds. They are
located on high, rolling ground. A
small creek has been diverted from its
COuISC, anu JulS, bOSCbHcl WlUD 81
spring furnish bountiful supply of
water, all the ponds being connected
together by bitches having headgates
and sluices to regulate the supply, and
for the purpose of draining off when
necessary.
The first pond contains the eleven
original carp purchased in California
three years ago, costing $3.50 apiece.
1t is reedy, swampy-looling place
and shallow, but swarming with small
fry, the grassy banks alive with the
little ones, which are soon transferred
to other ponds, leaving the stock of
fish to spawn and breed again. Mr.
Leslie thinks that they spawn from
May to August, but has not yet been
able to determine accurately. These
old fish have grown quite large since
they were first introduced, and are
still growing. They are said to often
weigh fifteen pounds.
AS we approached the Matching
pond, long-legged blue heron rose
from the edge of the water and slowly
flew away to the top of a tall fir, car
rying away a wriggling fish in his bill;
so the ponds have other anglers,
though there are few enemies to con-
tend with. Another pond was full of
small carp which came III hundreds to
the surface as Il handful of "chop" or
broken grain was thrown to them.
Still another held fish of larger size fit
for table use, though still rather small
for profit. They ale only little more
than year old, the first of the first
years Matching having mostly been
lost by accident of broken sluice.
Notwithstanding this loss, there were
by actual count 16,500 fish the third
year from those eleven fish of small
size. Carp eat greedily any sort of re-
fuse such as would be given pig, and
they Nill grow rapidly under favera-
BILE circumstances. The bones of carp,
like those of shad, are small and plen-
tiful, yet that fault will evidently di-
minish as the fish attain larger size.
Mr.. Leslie has a tank of zinc fitted in
the back of his wagon from which he
serves his customers in Salem, taking
the fish out with a dip-net, alive. AT
20 cents a pound, ready market is
found. Every lover of fish knows how
desirable it is that they shall be fresh
ly caught Petitions are now being
circulated for signatures with the view
of inducing state legislation toward
providing ways and means to stock
our waters with these fish. The So, ,09C
appropriated by the last Legislature
for a fish ladder at Oregon City was
all too small for the purpose, but il
might be diverted from that purpose
to lish-planting with profit. 1t is not
possible to cultivate trout, for in con
tinement they become cannibalstic
and will not only eat their own pro