South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-05-04

The industry of raising fish for
the market by many farmers who
have billy farms which are of little
value for agricultural purposes
should become more attractive. The
rearing of fish as a profitable COM
mercial pursuit is looming up as a
reality. There are many sections
of Indiana where farm land has not
attained its true value, simply be-
cause of the fact that raising fish
as a marketable commodity is not
understood by the average land
owner.
There are many farms I'm this
state where the land is rolling to
hilly and not very fertile for the
raising of ordinary crops of grain
or vegetables which are ideal and
therefore valuable if put into shape
for raising fish.
This proposition is likewise open
to the real estate dealers. L am
rather inclined TO think that the
matter of developing this industry
will depend more upon the aggres-
sive real estate agent. The average
farm land owner does not under
stand the necessary details in fish
pond building and therefore will de-
pend upon the real estate dealer to
come along and prove that the en-
terprise can be put into practical
use. / know of many small streams
that flow through billy territory
where some real estate expert, were
he posted upon the methods Of fish
pond construction. could easily dou-
BILE the value of these lands for the
entire length of these streams.
Where the lands are favored with
active springs it is an easy matter
TO construct ponds for raising nsh.
Where a fair-sized spring or flowing
well is at hand there you will in
variably find "A gully or valley,
where, by throwing up a small levee
at the lower end. a valuable pond
can be made. / would not advise
anyone, however. TO begin such an
enterprise without first learning the
elements necessary for promoting
the design. The mode OF construc-
ton. while simple, is very important
in order 10 make practical the han
ding OF the fish.
Such ponds muSut be made so
they can be drained at viii and
where there is more than one pond
they must be so arranged that each
can be drained separately. These
separate drains are Indispensable
when IL comes time TO take the fish
out for the market. ANY one who
has such a location favorable to the
building of fish ponds should en-
ploy an expert 10 draw the plans
for the various drains and the in
take. Every location is differently
situated and in some instances a
small spring can be made 20 pro-
duce much more water by a simple
tile extension along the gravel stra-
tuum, whereby the water can be
gathered and led TO the proper in
take of the ponds Other locations
with a little expert engineering may
develop ponds of several acres more
water than could be had by defec-
tive construction.
a FISH pond is not difficult TO CON
struct; but a fish pond like every
thing else must be planned along
practical lines. otherwise the work
OF operation becomes complicated.
once get a pond properly con-
structed and the art OF raising fish
becomes an easy matter. The eX-
pense of operation Is but a triffle
and the supply OF marketable fish
will be as regular as a crop OF fruit
or vegetables. BESIDES yielding
regular crop Of fish each year fish
ponds are worth much TO a farm
as collecting stations for fertilizer as
we'll as furnishing water for irriga-
ton purposes. There are many
thousands Of locations in the state
Of Indiana which are available for
this purpose.
The common yellow catfish is the
most easily reared. IL offers no
difficulties whatever in its natural
breeding. The catfish is good