Smyrna times., 1890-09-03
Life on a Water Farm.
THERE Is PROFIT IN RAISING FISH
AND FROGS FOR MARKET.

1t has not been many years since
water farming was added to the pos
sibilities of agriculture" in Indiana.
it began as a diversion. 1t has become
a business. Enough time has now re-
lapsed to demonstrate that water farm
ing may be made practicable and
profitable, at least as profitable as some
other rural occupations, and more en-.
ticing than the ordinary life of the ag-
riculturalist. As much money can be
made off an acre of water as off an acre
OF land, including well located fish and
frog ponds on the one band and Ordin-
ary farming.
One of our pioneers in water farming
in Indiana is Mr.. Joseph ManlOve, of
Milton. Seven years ago he bought a
small piece of lowland, laying between
the White Water Canal and White
Water River. He determined to food
the lOwland and to add to his posses
sions the adjoining highlands for park
purposes. His place now includes IA
acres of water and p ofland. His bus
mess is largely with the water and only
incidentally with the dry land. His
first purpose was to establish a carp
pond, from which the fish market
might be supplied. This was accom-
plished in two years with comparative
ease. Now he Las an unlimited auan.
tity of this variety of fish. However
the public taste also calls for bass, and
Manlove determined to add this va
riety to his supply. His lake is now
stocked with a vast variety of black
bass. They have grown finely and
next year bass fishing will be put ION
the market" Bass promote so much
better that carp that Farmer" Man
love uses his young carp as food for the
bass.
Still another department" has been
added to the farm" this season-frogs.
Four acres of shallow water, well
grown in flags were set apart as a
breeding place for frogs They breed
and grow rapidly. Four thousand tad
poles were put in this breeding. pen
early in the spring. Many ofthem are
now of marketable size. Next season
they will be giants-big tep-inch long
cultivated bull frogs, worth $3.50 or So
a dozen not the little marsh frog, but
the big fellows with Herr Fisher voices.
In catching them for market light at
night is used. They stare at the light
and can be caught and handled with
ease with its glare. In catching large
quantities of carp the lake is drained
off. In winter the remarkable fish arc
kept in small ponds.
1t is interesting to observe the water
farmer at his work. He can use a
horse for side purposes, but he needs
neither plough planter or reaper. Sup.
pose he has gone out OF feed. He has
with him, middlings or some other
grain. He goes to the breediug-pond.
sounds gong, Of blows whistle, and
thousands Of frogs come hopping from
their shelter. They eat the food raw
enOusly, and become so tame that the
farmer handles them as the women
handle their pet chickens. The same
food is just the thing for young and
old carp, Fish and frogs take to grain
and grain products, said SIR Manlove
like a boy takes to apple dumpling.' y
Part of the season it is not necessary
to feed my stock at all. The water.
grass seeds make the finest of food for
the fish, and at this time of the year ]
rarely prepare fish that I do not fud
him well filled with grass seed. ."-Ia,
dianoplis Neics.