The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-03
GOLDFISH
COLLECTING A FAD
Large Sum Spent on Whim by
Wealthy Women
SOME COST OVER $50 CASH
And Then They Are Displayed in Re-
ceptacles That Are Valued at
Thousands of Dollars in
New York Homes.
SOME COST OVER $50 CASH

FROM the New 1Ofk sun
Many persons have taken to collecting
goldfish. II the collector is wealthy
enough not to consider expense in such a
matter. the goldfish are of kind very
different from those familiar a genera
ton ago. In handsome summer homes
down on Long Island, up in Westehes-
ter and along the Hudson as well as in
city houses. particularly where there are
eonservatories expensive reeeptaeles hold
dozens of varieties of these fish. Women
vie with one another in procuring rare
and expensive specimens from Europe,
Japan and China, and the receptacles
in which the fish are displayed may have
come from palaces and castles of the
old world.
According to dealer in goldfish, the
annual sale in this country is estimated at
100000 specimens and the value amounts
to 100000. A few years ago women were
satisfied with the little goldfish to be pur-
chased at small prices and with ordinary
glass cases to put them in.
Today it is different. In winter florist
is paid to care for the fish in a portion of
his greenhouse especially designed for the
purpose and summer after summer they
adorn the same aquariums and recepta-
Giles. For a goldfish may live, perhaps, as
long as its owner. If we'll taken care of
an ordinary goldfish mag live from fifteen
to thirty years, and they have been
known to live fifty years, and in China
where their culture is made study, 100
years.
An aquarium in the conservatory of one
New York woman was brought over
from an old castle in Italv- and was
originally fountain. 1t is made of
Carrara marble elabOratelv carved, and
is said to hold the largest and costlest
in this country.
Another which adorns the lawn of her
Newport villa is fountain taken from
an old palace in Florence, Italy. There
are at least three reeeptacles at this New
port home stocked with goldfish, and a
miniature lake holds larger species.
When Mrs. Stuyvesant entertained a
party at luncheon some time ago and
gave away as souvenirs tiny glass globes
containing goldfish it started the gold
fish craze Not only those fish that have
points of beauty are admired and sought
for, but those of extreme ugliness as well
The "automobile" or telescope fish. so
called because of its bullying eyes giving
the appearance of wearing goggles, is
even preferred to the graceful fringe
tail.
One wealthy bachelor In New York has
recently received from Rome, for his gold
fish, an obong piece of carved marble
1t measures four feet by six and cost
$4,000. Another New Yorker rich enough
to permit himself any extravaganza keeps
In his dining room picturesque assert
- Iael, hut la "a in
French glass case some six feet in length
and of sixty-four gallons capacity to the
more costly receptacles
In a New Workers palatal home at
New London there Is a magnificent gold
fish fountain twelve feet in height, which
was purchased in Italy at great ex
pense.
woman living on Fifth avenue has
scores of goldfish that cost s25 and $50
reach. The aquarium is made of import
ed glass. bound with gold to match the
costly furniture of her drawing room.
One of Andrew CaTnegie's first gifts
to his baby daughter was small aqua
rum of shining goldfish
A fish culturist and importer, speaking
OF the craze for goldfish, said
Goldfish as pets are increasing in popu-
larity and there are few families in New
York who have not some kind of aquarium
in their homes, quite as much solcitude
and affection is lavished upon them as
upon any other household pets and they
give their owners no trouble. We take
the contract to care for them and visit
regularly the homes of our customers to
keep the aquarium in proper condition
and see that the fish are properly fed and
do not get sick.
Many of the wealthy families Import
them at the fancy prices of $25. $50 and 800
apiece. and the orders number many. Or
they bring back specimens from their So
journs abroad One of my customers
purchased during her travels in China an
aquarium made OF carved ivory. inlaid
with gold and she has it stocked with fish
which I sold her sixteen years ago and
she is devoted to 1t.
I'm China goldfish are so admired and
loved that they adorn almost ever home
from the palace of the Emperor to the
home of the most humble peasant
They are brought to market over there
and offered for sale as our florists offer
flowers and plants.
1.-THE japanese reach the highest state
of perfection in the cultivation of them.
The finest goldfish that ever came to
this country were presented by the Jap
anese government to General Grant when
are now in the possession of his son,
Gen. frederick d. Grant. at Governors
Island. There are four and were formerly
valued at 500 apiece.
1.-The finest specimens are never allowed
to be sent out of Japan and the secret OF
breeding them there Is never divulged. 1t
is known, however, that in order to make
the ewes Of the automobile fish more
PROMINENT and. therefore. more homely,
the Japanese culturist places the fish in
small dark vessels shaped so as to oblige
them to look constantly in one direction.
"You would be surprised how much
these little fish can be taught. One lady
calls hers to the surface by ringing a
tiny bell when she wants to feed them,
and another Is Instantly recognized by
them.
..It has been said that fish cannot hear
and are devoid of most of the senses, but
I find the contrary is true. They are not
moved by music. but the slamming OF a
door will instantly disperse them. Their
sight is well developed.
do they sleep? Yes. but they capnot
close their eyes because they have no eye
lids. When asleep the pupils OF the eyes
appear 10 be drawn back They have no
special time as We have for sleeping:
some species sleep in the broad sunlight
of the afternoon and the same variety
may be observed eleepn3 at midnight.
..rhey Will eat almost any vegetable
food and frequently deyour their young.
but their proper food consists of prepared
fish food. and they should be fed only
once a day. at regular hour the quanti-
~ not TO exceed what they will immed-
lately consume
"Once a. week they may be given nnely