Brenham weekly banner. [volume] (Brenham, Tex.) 1877-1907, 1884-05-15
FHE Weekly BANNER.
rl,e state Fish Pond.

GexSs Yarn anu tlAnch. 80
The State fish ponds at Austin,
Texas, are now in most flourish
ing condition. and the taste dis
played IN decorating the walks
with flowers and shrubs, and other
attractive improvements, reflects
no ordinary credit upon the. Com
missioner. The ponds are situa-
led close to Barton's creek, about
Two miles from Austin, from which
they are supplied with cold spring
water. There are four. Of these
ponds, three of which are fully
stocked with carp of different ages,
and are connected with sluices by
which they. can be dried 50 that
fish may be easily taken or trans
ferred, as required. At the tap of
the bell, the finny boarders dart
forward 10 the refectory with a
sound like distant waterfall, and
arapple on the surface ofthe water
like that produced by heavy
driving rain. Scraps Of bread and
vegetables are then devoured,
while the water is fecked with
gold and silver from the sides and
bellies of the feeding fish. "Do
The young fish in the adjoining
pond answer to the belly" we ask,
cd of the earetaker. 'oh, no." he
replied, oft takes about six months
framing to educate them up to
that point; but when they have
learned the lesson they never re
fuse to put in an appearance
at meal time" OF all
sizes there are at present about
half n million carp, with facilities
for increasing the number, as the
demand for stocking rivers and
private ponds increase. Of all fish
tits the best adapted to our eli
mate, for successful culture and
large profit. Its growth is rapid
the fish reaching about twenty
pounds in two years /; its fecundity
is prodigious, moro than 100000
oggs having been found in a breed
ing fish of moderate size ;;;ita does
best in still water, is sun proof
subject to no diseases, and can be
fattened like a pig on the refuse Of
vegetable garden; for which Its
teeth are adapted, being large,
fiat, and situated ON the pharynz
very far back in the mouth. The
quality of its flesh depends upon
the character of its food. Carp in
running streams or in ponds where
limited to mud or rank weeds fol
subsistence, are no better than the
salt water mullet; but it has been
demonstrated by pisciculturists
that when properly fed they are
little if any inferior to salmon. d
Of the importance of this fish az
n factor in the future food supply
of Texas too much can not be
said ; and yet it would seem suffi-
cient merely to state thatin pond
only a few square perches in area
the farmer can raise, without ex-
pense, more than sufficient carp to
supply his family the year round.
Indeed, we trust the day is not far
off when the carp pond, shaded
with big trees and willows,
and decorated with rose bushes and
flowers, VIII be the possession .of
every farmer who aspires to thrift,
taste and good living: ,1igl
Piscicuiture is nothing new.
The art of breeding and fattening
fish was known to. the ancient Ro-
mans, and Latin authors tell us all
about the fanciful favors impaired
to fishes especially fed for the tn
bles ofthe wealthy. The Romans
borrowed the art from the Chinese,
who packed the fish ova in eggs
and had them PATCHED by hens.
Commercial fish culture is at
present largely carried on by the
French, where the market Is largely
supplied from private ponds, and
is an important-generally the
most important-souree of profit
10 the owners. As state institu-
ton, We regard the fish breeding
ponds as very important branch
of economy, tending alike to in
crease the food supply and as an
appliance of luxury. We trust,
therefore, that, our farmers will
show an interest Sin this business
which it merits, and which their
own wants require, by generally
providing themselves with carp
ponds, and stocking them, which
they can do without cost by APP
plying 70 Commissioner, Lubbock
forSbfcediBg fish, iuiJn lsssSA