Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-08-28
Dr., Edwards Letter

es constitute one of the chief food
supplies of the Philippines, and /
have been much interested in the
various modes of catching them. l
was along the shore yesterday and my
attention was attracted to a lot OF
bamboo sticks standing OFT of the
water. | discovered that they form
ed fish trap where large mum els
of the finny tribe were taken. The
method most extensively used for
taking fish on this coast is by the
construction of pens or corrals, which
are to be seen in large numbers whel
ever the water is SHALLOW. The sides
of these pens are constructed with
pieces Of split bamboo, bound togeth-
er with rattan in such way that
long pieces can be rolled up and
transported from place to place. When
it is desired to construct a corral at
any given point stakes are driven
into the bottom and the siding is
then unrolled and fastened to them.
These pens are sometimes so paced
that they surround fayorite feed
ing place of fish, and are immersed
at high water. The fish come in to
feed, swimming over the tops at high
tide, and ebb leaves them impris-
oned.
More commonly, however, the top
stands above the water at all tines.
A long line of close bamboo fence
leads from near the shO. to the cor
raj which has narrow opening, and
the fish follow this fence into the
corral and then are too stupid to
find their way out of the narrow op-
ening, before the fall OF the tide
renders it impossible for them to
reach 1t.
Frequently narrow lane leads out
Of the main part of the corral to
deep water, where it ends in circu-
lar pond. The opening from the
lane into the pond is surrounded by
sharp pointed bamboo, directed into
the latter, so that when the fish
have once entered it they cannot es-
cape. Their tendency to run toward
deep water as the tide falls results
In imprisoning the whole catch here,
and they are either speared or TAX
en- out with a dip net. Very large
catches are frequently made. The
fish are sold fresh If possible but
If there are too many for the mar
ket they are split and sun dried in
which form they find ready market.
Another. method much in vogue, es
pecially near Malabon, is the suspend
ing of large dip nets from masts
erected on boats, or bamboo RATS,
by means of a contrivance not un.
like the old fashioned vel sweep
SO that they can quickly be lowered
or raised. In the Tanon channel,
and various other parts of the archi'
pelago, where conditions are suitable
deep water traps are used, which are
sometimes sunk as deep as twelve
hundred feet. These traps are loose.
ly made baskets, at one of which is
an opening protected by sharp point
ed bamboo. The trap is baited with
meat, and fish once entering can.
not escape. The line by which these
traps are lowered is simply a series
of long pieces of split rattan. A
load of stones is necessary to sink
them and these are so adjusted that
jerk of the line loosens them be-
lore the trap is hauled up.
Spearing is sometimes resorted to
in sheltered bays, torches of dried
palm leaves being used to attract the
fish. There is a peculiar species of
mud fish known throughout the is.
lands, called the dalag. This fish
is found in the rice paddles in large
numbers and the natives catch then
with peculiar long baskets which the
dash. down into the water where
they see the vegetation moving. The
Ilsh are so numerous that many
are caught by this simple manner
The natives believe that this fish
burrows in the mud and remains in
there when the waters go down, to
the next flooding time, but those
who have studied the fish are Of
the opinion taht the fish makes its
way with the receding water, and
is capable Of working through the
shallowest water, and sometimes ev
en- over bare ground, something like
the carp does in American waters.
Among the sea fish along here are
number Of poisonous fish, the eat
ing Of which occasions severe i'll
ness and sometimes death. The ma