The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-04-16
PRACTICAL FISH PRODUCTION.
Suggestion for Local Production from
Ponds and Streams-By n. A.
Surface, Professor OF ZooI.
ogy in the Pa. State
College.

There are many persons who have
ponds or available streams that could
be prodtably utilized if the owner but
knew how. Life is far more abundant
in water than in the small area on lard
and this means that the water can be
made to yield fully as much or more
for mans use as can the soil. "rhe
waters should feed the land" is an
old saying that may justly claim a
literal signihcation. In some parts of
Europe today ponds and lakes are
renting at the same rate per equal area
as the best land adjoining them. This
is for the fish they are made to yield
| Although our state and national fish
commissions are doing all in their
lpower TO maintain the number OF
fishes useful to mankind, it must be
acknowledged that they are playing at
a losing game owing to (D lack of
the complete and detailed knowledge
as 10 what is best to do and how to do
it: (2) the constantly increasing des-
tructive effects of the so called "march
OF civilizations" and CD the lack of
adequate state and federal support for
placing this very important industry
upon its proper scientific bssls. Truly
has one of Americas greatest living
scientists, Prof. S. A. Forbes, State
Zoologlst of Illinois, said in one OF
his recent reports, "In regard to fish
culture we stand 10 day at point to
be compared with the American in
dams knowledge of agriculture at the
time of the discovery of America by
Columbus" However, we can live
up to the best light and knowledge we
have, and by so dong hope to obtain
more. Just as the Indians could use
their crude knowledge of agriculture
by clearing the ground, planting the |
grains, tllling the soil with sharpened |
stones and sticks, and pulling some of
the larger weeds, thus causing the |
maize to increase in abundance above
what it would be withou. this effort, |
so can we use our crude knowledge of |
fish culture to make the water more
productive by observing some Of the |
following suggestions: 1. Put the
pond or stream into proper condition,
not only by cleaning everything out of |
it, and making i, proper depth, but
by making variation of conditions so
the fishes can select sites to suit them
selves. One part should be as deep
as possible, another should be shallow
and quiet and contain growing aquatic |
vegetation OF as many varieties of |
plants as possibl., while in the more
rapid parts of current there should be
sand and gravel. 2. The water
should be kept as cool as possible in
summer, both by shade trees growing
along the banks and by artificial floats
to afford shade and concealment. |
Grass and weeds should be permitted |
to overhang the water to yield some
insects to vary the diet of the fishes.
and give them additional protection.
8. Enemies OF fishes should be re-
duced. These are other voracious
fishes, water snakes, musk rats, herons,
ospreys or fish hawks, king fishers,
owls, musk-rats, minks and
raccoons 4. Ducks and geese
should not be kept in waters intended
to yield fish. They befoul the water,
make 1t muddy, and destroy the Or
ganlsms that would directly or indi-
rectly become the food of fishes. (s) i
After the favorable and desired con.
ditions are established the food plants
and small aquatic animals have been
introduced, minnows added, if for fish
eating fishes, spawning sites, winter
retreats and summer shade provided,
then introduce the desired fishes suit
ed to the waters. 6. Select the
kinds of fishes suited to the waters
thus prepared. If this is not known
send full description of the conditions
10 the U. S. Fish Commission, WASH
ngton ID. c., or other experts and
receive the essential information act
ing accordingly.
We know where this has been done
N such practical sensible, and scien-
'lhc manner with the most gratifying
results.