Smyrna times., 1932-01-06

time smyrna Times mas started
TO look back over its files and tell
what happened around the correspond
ing date of this issue. half century
ago. We hope to make this regular
weekly feature. If it does nothing else,
1t will call to mind people and events
of that day that should be interesting
to the present generation. We hope
readers will find it interesting and
that it will make the Times more eag-
erly sought and read-Editor.)
The Culture of Carp Fish
Probably one of the most profit
able industries recently introduced
into Delaware is the culture of thu
German Carp. This fish, in it!
three distinct varieties, has form
ed an important food product fol
Germany for centuries, and it is ar
unusual occurrence to find a well
managed farm there that has not
its accompanying Carp pond; and
so well are the fish relished there
that although raised in such large
quantities they readily command
ten cents per pound when labor is
to be had at forty cents per day.
The fish is one of the most pro-
life known, and its increase when
properly attended to is so great
that cannibal fish are frequently
employed to devour the young SO
that there may be a quick, large
growth of the others, by reason
of having more, food, etc. I'm
fortunately most all fish are can
nibals and from this fact, the Carp
being lazy fish, is destroyed by
other fish, so that to get proper
results, ponds for Carp culture
should be entirely free from all
other fish. This industry in Della
ware is so recent that but few
authentic reports can be had but
such indicate that we have natur-
al food in abundance, that the eli
matte influences are producing bet
ter results than in Germany, and
that fish here but eighteen months
old without artificial feeding weigh
from two to two and one-half lbs.
The habits of the carp are in many
respects different from our fish
here, and ponds for their culture
are generally made to meet their |
requirements. William G. Hill, Of
this town, commenced the prepara-
tion Of pond last spring, arrang-
ing it after the most improved |
methods, in fact under the person
al direction Of the Assistant U. S. |
Fish Commissioner. This pond 4
from its location forms one of the |
handsomest artificial ponds in the
state; in fact perhaps the only one
thus far that is arranged with the
proper system required The bot
tom of the pond is SO arranged
that part of it is covered with a
substantial wooden floor, what is
usually termed a Collector" SO
arranged that by current of wat
er the fish from the entire pond
can be collected there and caught.
This arrangement is necessary on
account of the habit of the fish in
diving down in the mud at the
least sign of fear The bed of the
bottom of the pond except a small
portion of mud surface where the
fish viii hibernate during the win
ter, is well planted with grasses,
lilly roots and various kinds of
wild seeds. The overflow to pro
tect the newly made banks and the 1,
arrangement for drawing off the
entire body Of water, are features
of its completeness. During the
early spring he will finish another
pond in which event he will have !
about five acres, and will attempt I
to propagate two distinct kinds. ]
The flesh of the Carp has been eat
en- and pronounced fully equal to I
our famous Delaware Shad by
Hon. James Williams, formerly {
member of Congress from this ,
State, who has Carp pond. We '
have no doubt but that the efforts !
put forth by Mr.. Hill will be high
ly satisfactory. Every farmer who ,
has a ravine or bottom on his farm
through which runs a stream or !
spring has a piece of land that can !
be made more valuable than any
piece of land on his whole farm. ,
The rapidly increasing interest ,
which is being manifested through (
out the country concerning Carp
culture has perhaps never been 6
equalled in the history of the new !
industry. 1t is believed that from ,
10000 to $4,000 persons in this ,
country are investigating the bus
mess and it is known that over
1000 have already commenced op-
erations and have applied to the
Government authorities for stocks
Of Carp, which are furnished free.
The great success of the business
has been established beyond doubt
and to the satisfaction of those
now engaging in it.
Death of E. Joy Morris Honor ,
able Edward Joy Morris, a prom !
inent citizen and politician of Phil
adelphia, ex-member of Congress
and ex-United States Minister IN