,,the ,,history ,,of ,,esculent ,,fish4 ,price1 in ,boards1 ,one ,guinea and a ,half1 coloured4 ,,the ,,history ,,of ,,esculent ,,fish1 ,,with ,,plates1 ,,drawn ,,and ,,engraved ,,by ,,eleazar ,,albin3 ,,and ,,an ,,essay ,,on ,,the ,,breeding ,,of ,,fish1 ,,and ,,the ,,construction ,,of ,,fish-,,ponds1 ,,by ,,the ,,honourable ,,roger ,,north4 ,,london3 ,printed for ,,edward ,,jeffery1 ,pall ,mall2 ,,robert ,,faulder1 ,new ,bond ,street2 ,j4 ,,cuthell1 and ,j4 ,,deighton1 ,holborn2 ,j4 ,,walker1 ,paternoster ,row2 ,,hamilton and ,co4 ,beech ,street1 ,barbican4 ,,mdccxciv4 ,illustration3 ,barbus3 ,barbeau4 ,a ,barbell4 ,elizabeth ,albin ,depictio ,june #cj4 #agcf4 ,the ,,barbel1 ,called1 in ,icthyology1 ,barbus1 but by some writers in ,natural ,history1 ,mustus ,stuviatitis1 and is a species of the ,cyprinus4 ,the ,barbel is a fish commonly known and so called from the barb or beard under its chaps or nose1 and is of the leather-mouthed kind4 ,it is but a moderate tasted fish1 and the female is less esteemed for the table than the male2 but neither of them is much valued3 the worst season for them is in ,april4 ,they love to be among the weirs1 where there is a hard gravelly bottom1 and generally swim together in large shoals4 ,in summer1 they frequent the strongest and swiftest currents of water1 as under deep bridges1 weirs1 and the like places1 and are apt to get in among the piles1 weeds1 and other shelter2 but in winter1 they retire into the deepest and stillest waters2 the best season for angling for this fish1 is from ,may to ,august1 and the time for taking them is very early in the morning1 or late in the evening4 ,the place should be baited with chopped worms some time before2 and no bait is so good for the hook as the spawn of fish1 particularly the ,salmon3 in defect of these1 lob-worms will do2 but they must be very clean and nice1 and the hook carefully covered1 otherwise he will not touch them4 ,old cheese steeped in honey also is a fine bait4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,cyprinus4 ,carpe4 ,the ,carp4 ,eleazar ,albin delineavit ,decem4 #ab4 #agce4 ,,carp4 ,leonard ,marchal first brought this fish into ,england about #aead3 it is the most valuable of all kinds of fish for stocking ponds1 because of its quick growth and great increase4 ,if the feeding and breeding of this fish were more understood and practised1 the advantages resulting would be very great2 and a fish pond would become as valuable an article as a garden4 ,the gentleman who has land in his own hands1 may1 besides furnishing his own table and supplying his friends1 become a source of much profit in money1 and very considerable advantage to his lands at the same time1 so as to make it produce more than by any other employment whatever4 ,the sale of ,carp makes a considerable part of the revenue of the principal nobility and gentry in ,prussia1 ,pomerania1 ,brandenburg1 ,saxony1 ,mecklenburgh1 ,bohemia1 and ,holstein4 ,particular attention should be paid to the soil1 water1 and situation of a ,carp pond2 the best kind are those which are surrounded by the finest pasture1 or corn fields1 with a rich black mould1 and soft springs on the spot1 or other running water1 that is neither too cold1 or impregnated with acid1 calcareous1 selenetic1 or other seraneous1 mineral particles4 ,the water may be softened by exposing it to the air or sun in a reservoir1 or by forming an open channel for it some distance from the pond2 they should be exposed to the influence of the sun1 and sheltered from the eastern and northerly winds4 ,by experience1 it is found convenient to have three kinds of ponds for ,carp1 viz4 the spawning pond1 the nursery1 and the main pond3 the first pond must be cleared of all other kind of fish1 especially those of the rapacious kind1 such as the perch1 pike1 eel1 and trout2 the water beetle1 and also of the newts or lizards4 ,it should be exposed to sun and air1 and be supplied with soft water4 ,a pond of one acre requires three or four male ,carp1 and six or eight female ones2 and in the same proportion for each additional acre4 ,the best ,carp for breeding are those of five1 six1 or seven years old1 in good health1 with full scale1 and fine full eyes1 and a long body1 without any blemish or wound3 the pond should be stocked in a fine calm day1 towards the end of ,march1 or beginning of ,april4 ,carp spawn in ,may1 ,june1 or ,july1 according to the warmth of the season2 and for this purpose1 they swim to a warm1 shady1 well-sheltered place1 where they gently rub their bodies against the sandy ground1 grass1 or osiers2 and by this pressure the spawn issues out at the spawning season4 ,all sorts of fowl should be kept from the ponds3 the young fry is hatched from the spawn by the genial influence of the sun1 and should be left in this pond through the whole summer1 and even the next winter1 provided the pond is deep enough to prevent their suffocation during a hard winter2 then the breeders and the fry are put into ponds safer for their wintering4 ,the second kind of ponds are the nurseries2 the young fish should be moved1 in a fine calm day1 into this pond1 in the months of ,march or ,april3 a thousand or twelve hundred of this fry may be well accommodated in a pond of an acre4 ,when they are first put in1 they should be well watched1 and driven from the sides of the pond1 lest they become the prey of rapacious birds4 ,in two summers1 they will grow as much as to weigh four1 five1 or even six pounds1 and be fleshy and well tasted4 ,the main ponds are to put those into that measure a foot1 head and tail inclusive2 every square of fifteen feet is sufficient for one ,carp3 their growth depends on their room1 and the quantity of food allowed them4 ,the best seasons for stocking the main ponds are spring and autumn4 ,carp grow for many years1 and become of considerable size and weight4 ,mr4 ,foster mentions seeing in ,prussia two or three hundred ,carps of two and three feet in length1 and one five feet long1 and twenty-five pounds weight2 it was supposed to be about sixty years old3 ,gesner mentions one that was an hundred years old4 ,these were tame1 and would come to the side of the pond to be fed1 and swallowed with ease a piece of bread half the size of a halfpenny loaf4 ,ponds should be well supplied with water during the winter2 and when they are covered with ice1 holes should be opened every day for the admission of fresh air1 through want of which1 ,carps frequently perish4 ,carp are sometimes fed1 during the colder season1 in a cellar3 the fish is wrapped up in a quantity of wet moss laid on a piece of a net1 and then laid in to a purse2 but in such a manner1 however1 to admit of the fish breathing3 the net is then plunged into water1 and hung up to the ceiling of the cellar3 the dipping must at first be repeated every three or four hours1 but1 afterwards1 it need be plunged into the water only once in six or seven hours3 bread soaked in milk is sometimes given him in small quantities2 in a short time1 the fish will bear more1 and grow fat by this treatment4 ,many have been kept alive1 breathing nothing but air in this way1 several successive days4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,cephalus4 ,the ,chub4 ,fortin4 ,albin delin4 #agdj4 ,the ,,chub ,is1 according to the ,artedian and ,linnan system1 a species of ,cyprinus1 and is called by the ,french the ,vilian and ,testard1 and was called by the ancient ,romans ,squalus4 ,the resorts of this fish are easily found2 being generally holes over-shaded by trees2 and on a hot day1 they may be seen in great numbers1 floating almost on the surface of the water4 ,for the table they are very poor fish1 full of bones4 ,they afford much entertainment to the angler1 and are easily caught4 ,the best manner of fishing for them is thus3 prepare a very strong rod of sufficient length2 fix a grashopper to the hook2 place yourself so as not to be perceived by the fish1 and drop in the bait about two feet from the place where a ,chub lies2 if he does not see the angler1 he rarely fails biting1 and is taken directly2 but he is so strong a fish1 that he should be taken out carefully1 after a great deal of play1 otherwise the tackle will be in danger2 a beetle1 or any large fly1 will answer the purpose in the place of a grashopper2 and if none of them are to be had1 the method of fishing must be altered1 and the line be long enough for fishing at the bottom4 ,in ,march and ,april1 this fish is to be caught with red worms2 in ,june and ,july1 with worms1 snails1 and cherries2 but in ,august and ,september1 the proper bait is good cheese1 pounded in a mortar with some saffron and a little butter4 ,some make paste of cheese and ,venice turpentine for the ,chub in winter1 at which season the fish is better than at any other2 the bones are less troublesome in this season1 and the flesh more firm and better tasted4 ,the roe is also generally well flavoured4 ,the angler must keep his bait for this fish at the bottom in cold weather1 and near the top in hot4 ,the fish will bite easily4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,asellus ,major4 ,the ,cod-fish4 ,e4 ,albin ,delin3 ,march #bi4 #agci4 ,the ,,cod ,,fish ,is the largest of the genus ,aselli1 by authors called ,asellus ,maximus1 and sometimes ,asellus ,varius1 five ,striatus4 ,it is distinguished from other fishes of the same kind by the following marks4 ,its colour on the back and sides is a dusky olive1 intermixed with yellow spots2 a white belly1 with a white line running along each side from the gills to the tail1 which is curved at the abdomen1 but straight elsewhere4 ,it has very small scales1 which adhere firmly to the skin2 its eyes are large2 a single beard hangs at the angle of its lower jaw1 which is short1 seldom longer than one's finger4 ,it has a broad tongue1 and several rows of teeth1 one being much longer than the rest4 ,among these there are some moveable teeth1 as in the ,pike2 and in the palate1 near the orifice of the stomach1 and near the gills1 it has small clusters of teeth2 it has three back-fins1 two at the gills1 two at the breast1 and two at the anus2 and the tail is plain4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,asellus ,minor4 ,the ,haddock4 ,fortin4 ,albin delin4 #agdj4 ,the ,,haddock ,is1 according to the ,artedian system1 of the genus of ,gadi4 ,it is called by ,salvian the ,asellus ,major1 or ,greater ,asellus1 and by ,turner and ,willoughby the ,orus1 or ,asinus of the ,ancients4 ,charlton tells us1 that it was the ,callaris ,galeris1 or ,galaxis1 of the old ,romans1 mentioned by ,pliny2 but ,artedi has some doubt about that4 ,it is likewise called by ,artedi the ,gadus2 with a bearded mouth1 three fins on the back1 a whitish body1 with the upper jaw longest2 the tail a little forked4 ,large ,haddocks begin to be in roe about the middle of ,november1 and continue so till the end of ,january2 from that time till ,may1 their tails grow thin1 and they are out of season4 ,the small ones are very good from ,may to ,february2 and those which are not old enough to breed in ,february1 ,march1 and ,april4 ,it is said by fishermen1 that in rough weather they hide themselves in the sand at the bottom of the sea1 and among the ooze1 and shelter themselves till the storm is over1 because they take none in stormy weather4 ,they live in the summer on young ,herrings1 and on other young fish2 and in winter1 on a species of sespula1 called the stone-coated ,worm1 and by the fishermen1 ,haddock-meat4 ,the great shoals of ,haddocks come periodically on the coast of ,yorkshire4 ,the large ones quit the coast as soon as they get out of season1 and leave behind them a number of small ones4 ,they are said to visit the coasts of ,hamburgh and ,jutland in the summer4 ,there is a large black spot on each side of the ,haddock1 ascribed by superstition to the mark which ,st4 ,peter's thumb made1 when he took the tribute money out of the mouth of a species of this fish4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,halec4 ,the ,herring4 ,e4 ,albin ,del3 #agci4 ,the ,,herring4 ,harengus1 in ,icthyology1 a species of the ,clopea4 ,its ,harengi forms are these3 its length is generally seven or eight inches1 though it sometimes grows to a foot2 its head is flatted1 and its mouth placed upwards3 it has a green back and sides mingled with blue1 and a belly of a silver cast2 its scales are large and round4 ,it is not spotted at all1 and its belly is carinated2 the ridge is quite smooth1 and not at all serrated2 its side lines are small1 and scarce distinguishable2 the lower jaw is stronger and more prominent than the upper2 its gills are four in number1 as in other fishes2 their fibres very long1 and open remarkably wide2 so that this fish dies almost as soon as taken out of the water3 it has one fin on its back1 which consists of about seventeen rays1 and is between the head and the tail2 the two ventral fins have nine rays1 the pectoral seventeen1 and the anal fourteen2 the tail is forked4 ,the name ,herring1 takes its derivation from the ,german ,heer1 an army1 which expresses their number when they migrate our seas4 ,herrings are found in vast quantities from the highest northern latitudes as low as the northern coast in ,france2 on the coast of ,america large shoals of them are to be met with as low as ,carolina4 ,in ,kamtschatka they are also to be found1 and very possibly in ,japan3 their winter rendezvous is within the arctic circle2 they retire there after spawning1 and wherever they can meet with insect food4 ,they are in full roe at the end of ,june1 and in perfection till the commencement of winter1 when they begin to deposit their spawn4 ,,preserved ,,herrings4 ,various are the names given to them1 and according as they are ordered3 as1 #ast4 ,,sea-,,sticks are what are caught all the fishing season1 and but once packed4 ,a barrel of these contains six or eight hundred2 according to law1 eight barrels go to the hundred4 ,a hundred of ,herrings is one hundred and twenty2 a last is ten thousand2 and they generally reckon fourteen barrels to the last4 #b;d4 ,,repacked ,,herrings are ,herrings repacked on shore4 ,seventeen barrels of ,sea-,sticks make from twelve to fourteen barrels of repacked ,herrings4 ,they repack them in the following manner3 take out the ,herrings1 wash them in their own pickle1 and lay them orderly in a fresh barrel3 they have no salt put to them2 but after being close packed1 have a sworn copper put over them with the pickle when the barrel is half full3 the pickle is brine2 so strong that the herring may swim in it4 #c;d4 ,,summers are what are caught by the ,dutch ,chasers1 or ,divers1 from ,june till the middle of ,july4 ,they are sold in ,sea-,sticks2 they will not endure repacking3 they go one with another full and shotten2 but the repacked ,herrings are sorted4 #dth4 ,the ,,sick and ,,shotten ,,herrings by themselves2 the barrel should be marked4 #eth4 ,,cruss ,,herrings are what are caught after the middle of ,september2 they are cured with salt upon ,salt3 all these are full ,herrings4 ,there is likewise another sort1 called ,,cowed ,,herrings4 ,these serve to make ,red ,herrings from ,september to ,october2 they should be carried on shore within a week after they are taken2 they are roed in salt1 but never gipped2 those which they make ,red ,herrings of1 are washed in fresh water previous to their being hung up in the ,herring-,houses1 generally known by the appellation of ,herring-,hangs4 ,then followeth the manner of salting ,herrings4 ,when the fishes are taken out of the nets and put into the warbacks which stand on the side of the vessel1 one fills the gipper's baskets4 ,the gippers1 after having cut their throats and taken out their guts1 proceed to sort them4 ,when the gipped are put into the basket1 one man takes it to the rowerback1 wherein there is salt2 one stirs them about in the salt1 whilst another takes them from him1 and carries them in baskets to the packers4 ,each barrel is packed by four men1 who lay the ,herrings one by one in a very even manner2 which barrel being full1 another man takes it from them4 ,the barrel is usually left to stand open for a day or two1 to dissolve the salt2 afterwards it is filled up1 and the barrel is headed4 ,observe1 that the pickle be strong enough to sustain the fish2 otherwise they will decay in it4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,scombrus4 ,maquereau4 a ,mackarel4 ,eleaz4 ,albin del3 ,may #c4 #agci4 ,illustration3 ,scombrus4 ,maquereau4 a ,mackarel4 ,eleazar ,albin delinavit4 ,july #ba4 #agce4 ,the ,,mackarel4 ,a very common sea fish of the ,schomber kind4 ,its nose is sharp pointed and tapered2 its eyes large2 and both its jaws of the same length3 the teeth are small1 but very numerous2 the body compressed on the sides2 towards the tail1 it is rather slender1 and somewhat angular4 ,the first dorsal fin is placed a little behind the pectoral fin2 it is triangular1 and has nine or ten stiff rays2 the second has twelve soft rays1 and lies at a distance from the other2 the pectoral has twenty1 and the ventral six rays3 at the base of the anal fin1 is a long spine4 ,betwixt the last dorsal and the tail1 are five small fins2 the same number1 likewise1 betwixt the anal and the tail4 ,the tail is broad and semilunar2 the colour of the back and sides above the lateral line is beautiful green1 variegated with black lines pointing downwards2 beneath the line1 the belly is of a beautiful silvery colour4 ,the eyes of the ,mackarel are almost covered with a white film1 which grows in winter1 during which time they are nearly blind3 they cast it in the beginning of summer4 ,it is in high estimation amongst the ,romans1 because it furnished the precious garum4 ,illustration3 ,mullus4 the ,mullet4 ,eleaz4 ,albin ,delin4 #agci4 ,the ,,mullet1 ,is a name given indeterminately to fish of several kinds2 but the true meaning of the word is the same with that of the ,mugil1 or ,cephalus4 ,the characters of the ,mugil are these4 ,the branchiostege membrane on each side contains six crooked bones2 the upper one being the broadest1 and hid under the gills2 only five are discernible2 the scales are large1 and cover the head and the opercula of the gills1 as well as the body of the fish4 ,the head is depressed in the anterior part2 the body oblong and compressed4 ,according to these distinctions1 there is only one species of ,mugil1 namely1 the ,mugil of ,ovid and the ,ancients4 ,it resembles the ,thymallus in its external figure2 its jaws are tender and thin1 and have no teeth in them2 the tail is forked4 ,the ,linnan system reckons two species2 viz4 the ,cephalus and ,albula4 ,three or four different species of the ,mugil have been described by ,rondeletius and others2 but their difference seems to arise merely from age1 place1 and the like accidents4 ,the nose is sharp1 the belly bowed2 the head plain and flatted2 the scales are very large1 and cover the body entirely4 ,the back is of a dusky blue1 or greenish-brown colour2 the belly white1 and the sides variegated1 from the head to the tail1 with green and black lines2 its tongue is rather rough2 it has no teeth4 ,it preys upon no fish1 and is therefore supposed to feed on weeds4 ,at certain times it comes up the river1 but it is generally caught at sea4 ,the ,mullet is a very good tasted fish2 we make tobago of its spawn4 ,mullets are to be found chiefly on the sandy coasts2 particularly where there are influxes of fresh water4 ,they come in great shoals2 and they keep rooting the mud like hogs1 and leave their trace in the form of large round holes4 ,they are very cunning2 and when surrounded with a net1 the whole shoal frequently escape by leaping over it2 for if one takes the lead1 the others are sure to follow4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,perca4 ,perche4 ,a ,pearch4 ,eleazar ,albin ,del4 ,july #h4 #agcf4 ,illustration3 ,the ,pearch from the ,river ,rhine4 ,eleaz4 ,albin del3 ,may #a4 #agci4 ,the ,,pearch1 or ,,perch1 ,is a genus of fish of the order of ,thoracci2 the characters of these are1 that the membrane of the gills has seven bones1 and the back has one or two fins2 the first spiny1 and the second soft3 the body is covered with rough scales2 the edges of the gill-covers are scaly and serrated4 ,linnus enumerates thirty-six species2 this fish is variegated with black spots4 ,there is a strange variety of ,pearch2 some of which are quite hunched2 and the backbone1 near to the tail1 very much distorted3 in colour and other respects1 it is similar to the common kind4 ,the best time for their biting is betwixt spring and summer1 as at that time they are very greedy2 and the angler1 with good management1 may take all that are in the hole1 at one standing1 if there were ever so many4 ,the ,pearch will bite all day long1 if it be cloudy2 but the best time is from eight till ten in the morning1 and from three till six in the afternoon4 ,it is very abstemious in the winter1 and will seldom bite2 if it does at all1 it is in the middle of the day4 ,all fish bite best at this time of the day in that season4 ,illustration3 ,lucius4 ,the ,pike or ,jack4 ,eliza4 ,albin delin4 #agdj4 ,the ,,pike ,is the ,lucius ,esox of ,linnus4 ,it has a very flat head2 the upper jaw is broad1 and shorter than the lower1 which turns up a little at the end2 the body is long1 slender1 and compressed sideways2 the teeth are very sharp1 disposed only in the front of the upper jaw1 but in both sides of the lower2 sometimes in the roof of the mouth1 and frequently in the tongue4 ,the eyes are small1 and the slit of the mouth very wide2 the dorsal fin is placed very low on the back1 and consists of twenty-one rays2 the pectoral of fifteen1 the ventral of eleven1 and the anal1 of eighteen2 the tail is bifurcated4 ,they are to be found in most of the lakes in ,europe4 ,lapland produces very large ones1 some eight feet long2 they are dried there1 and exported for sale4 ,the ,pike was introduced into ,england in the reign of ,henry ,,viii4 in #aecg1 when a ,pike was sold for double the price of a house lamb in ,february4 ,besides its usual food1 fish and frogs1 it devours water-rats and young ducks4 ,it is remarkable for its longevity3 we read of one that lived till ninety years old1 and of another that was no less than two hundred and seventy years old4 ,illustration3 ,rubellio4 ,the ,roach4 ,e4 ,albin ,del3 #agci4 ,the ,,roach ,is the ,english name of a very common fish1 called by some authors the ,rutilius and ,rubiculus1 and by others the ,rubellio4 ,it is a species of the ,cyprinus1 according to the new system of ,artedi1 and the ,cyprinus ,rutilius of ,linnus4 ,it has been looked upon 7though without much reason7 remarkable for its liveliness and vivacity1 from which comes the proverb 8sound as a ,roach40 ,in some parts of the world1 this fish will only live in standing waters3 it thrives very much in ponds and deep1 still rivers3 it is very remarkable for its progeny2 a pond being sooner stocked with this fish than any other4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,clupea3 ,halachie4 ,a ,shad4 ,eleazar ,albin ,del4 ,june #cj4 #agcf4 ,the ,,shad ,is the name of a sea fish of the ,herring kind2 it is also called the ,mother of ,herrings2 by some authors ,clupea and ,trissa2 by the ,ancients ,trechis1 or ,trichias2 and the ,clupea ,alosa of ,linnus4 ,in its general form1 it very much resembles the ,herring2 only it is flatter and broader1 and grows to a cubit long and four inches broad4 ,the back is convex and rather sharp2 the head sloping considerably from it4 ,the body grows gradually less to the tail from thence4 ,the lower jaw is rather longer than the upper2 the teeth very minute4 ,the dorsal fin is small1 and placed very near the center3 the middle rays are the longest4 ,the pectoral and ventral fins are small2 the belly very sharp2 the tail forked3 the body is of a dusky blue4 ,above the gills is a line of black spots1 which mark the upper part of the back on each side4 ,the number of these spots is different in different fish1 from four to ten4 ,it is very common in many of our seas1 and in some of our rivers which lie near the sea4 ,they run up there in great numbers1 and are then very fat2 they afterwards become lean1 and go down to the sea again4 ,they usually swim in large shoals together4 ,the ,shad is in higher perfection in the ,severn than in any other river in ,great ,britain4 ,it appears there in ,may1 and in very warm seasons1 in ,april2 it continues about two months4 ,at its first appearance1 it is esteemed a very delicate fish2 especially at ,gloucester1 where it sells dearer than ,salmon4 ,the ,london fishmongers distinguish it from that of the ,thames by the ,french name of ,alose4 ,whether they spawn in the ,severn and ,wye1 is not determined1 as their fry has not yet been ascertained4 ,the old fish come from the sea in full roe4 ,the fishermen imagine1 very erroneously1 that the ,bleak1 which appear in multitudes near ,gloucester in the months of ,july and ,august1 are the fry of the ,shad3 many of these are taken in those months only2 but none of the emaciated ,shad are ever caught in their return4 ,the ,thames ,shad does not frequent the river till the month of ,july1 and is thought a very coarse1 insipid fish4 ,at that time1 the ,twaite1 a variety of ,shad which makes its appearance in ,gloucester1 and is taken in great numbers in the ,severn1 but held in as great disrepute as the ,shad of the ,thames4 ,the real ,shad weighs sometimes eight pounds2 but in general from four to five4 ,the ,twaite1 on the contrary1 weighs from half a pound to two pounds1 which it never exceeds4 ,it only differs from the small ,shad1 by having one or more black spots on its side1 which are generally placed one under the other4 ,illustration3 ,tinca3 ,tenche3 ,a ,tench4 ,eliza4 ,albin ,delin4 ,may #bg4 #agcg4 ,the ,,tench ,is1 in ,icthyology1 the ,english name of the ,tinca of the modern authors2 but1 according to the ,artedian and ,linnan system1 a species of the ,cyprinus4 ,it is distinguished by ,artedi by the name of the blackish1 mucous1 or slimy ,cyprinus1 with the end of the tail even4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,a ,salmon ,trout from ,berwick on ,tweed ,e4 ,albin #agdj4 ,illustration3 ,trocta1 the ,trout4 ,albin ,fecit1 #agda4 ,the ,,trout ,is a very valuable river-fish2 the characters of which are these4 ,it has a long body2 its head is short and round1 its nose blunt at the end3 its tail is very broad2 its mouth large1 and each jaw furnished with one row of sharp teeth4 ,in its palate there are three parcels of teeth1 each of an oblong figure1 in the congeries1 and all meeting in an angle near the end of the nose2 the tongue has also six1 eight1 or ten teeth on it4 ,it is very beautifully variegated on the sides with red spots4 ,the colour of the ,trout1 and of its spots1 varies greatly in different waters and different seasons2 yet you may reduce each to one species4 ,in ,llyndivi 7a lake in ,south ,wales71 there are ,trouts called ,coch y ,dail1 marked with red and black spots about the size of a sixpence2 others1 not spotted1 and of a reddish hue1 which sometimes weigh from eight to ten pounds3 they are very ill tasted4 ,in ,lough ,neagh1 in ,ireland1 there are ,trouts called ,buddagh1 many of which weigh thirty pounds2 others are taken of a much superior size1 in ,hulse ,water 7a lake in ,cumberland71 the same as those ,trouts in the lakes of ,geneva4 ,the stomachs of the common ,trouts are very thick and muscular1 as they feed on the shell fish of lakes and rivers as well as the small fish2 and take gravel or stones into their stomachs to assist in comminuting the testaceous parts of their food4 ,the ,trouts of certain lakes in ,ireland are remarkable for the great thickness of their stomachs1 which1 from some resemblance to the digesting organs in birds1 are called ,gizzards2 and the species which have them1 are called ,gizzard ,trouts4 ,these stomachs are frequently served up to the table in ,ireland1 under the nomination of ,gizzards4 ,trouts are a very voracious fish1 affording the angler great amusement4 ,the under jaw of the ,trout is subject to the same curvature as that of the ,salmon4 ,there is likewise a species of ,trout1 which migrates out of the sea into the river ,esk in ,cumberland1 from ,july to ,september1 and called1 from its colour1 the ,whiting4 ,its taste is delicious4 ,when they first make their appearance from the salt water1 they have a ,salmon ,louse adhering to them4 ,they have milt and spawn2 but no fry has been yet observed4 ,it goes under the appellation of ,phinocs1 among the ,scotch4 ,they are never more than a foot in length2 the upper jaw is somewhat longer than the lower2 the upper contains two rows of teeth1 and the lower one3 on the tongue there are six teeth4 ,its form is truly elegant2 the colour dusky1 mingled with silver4 ,first dorsal fin spotted with black2 the tail quite black1 and forked2 the first dorsal fin has eleven rays2 the pectoral thirteen2 the ventral nine2 the anal nine4 ,illustration3 ,asellus4 ,the ,whiting4 ,fortin4 ,albin4 delin4 #agdj ,the ,,whiting ,is1 in ,icthyology1 the ,english name of a common fish of the ,asellus kind1 called by some ,asellus ,mollis1 and by others ,asellus ,albus1 or ,merlangus4 ,it is certainly1 according to the ,artedian system1 one of the ,gadi2 distinguished by that author by the name of ,gadus with three fins on the back2 without beards1 with a white body2 the upper jaw longer than the lower4 ,the ,whiting1 or ,gadus ,melangus of ,linnus1 has a very elegant form3 its eyes are large1 its nose sharp2 the teeth of the upper jaw are very long1 and appear above the lower when closed4 ,the first dorsal fin has fifteen rays1 the second eighteen1 and the last twenty4 ,the head and back are of a pale brown colour2 the lateral line white and crooked2 the belly and sides silvery2 the sides being marked lengthways with yellow4 ,they appear in the sea1 by large shoals1 in the spring1 keeping at the distance of about half a mile to that of three miles from the shore4 ,they are the most delicate and wholesome of any of the genus1 and seldom grow to more than ten or twelve inches in length4 ,a ,,discourse ,,of ,,fish ,,and ,,fish-,,ponds1 ,,by ,the ,hon4 ,,roger ,,north4 ,a ,,discourse ,,of ,,fish ,,and ,,fish-,,ponds4 ,of the ,situation and ,disposition of the principal ,waters4 ,one great point in the conduct of fish1 is1 to have them at command2 another is1 to have perpetual recruits1 to supply your stock as you draw it off4 ,this is not to be done without a certain order and method2 and with it1 nothing is more practicable and easy4 ,your method must be1 to have some great waters1 which are the head-quarters of the fish1 from whence you may take1 or wherein you may put1 any ordinary quantity of fish4 ,then to have stews1 and other proper auxiliary waters1 so as you lead the fish from one to the other1 whereby you never shall want1 and need not abound2 and1 which is more1 lose no time in the growth of the fish1 but employ the water1 as you do your land1 to the best advantage4 ,this will appear more distinctly in the sequel of this discourse1 which shall begin with the situation and disposition of the principal waters1 whereupon you must depend for the raising and feeding the greatest part of the stock4 ,first1 you must examine the grounds1 and find some fall betwixt two hills1 as near a flat as may be1 so as there be a sufficient current for the water4 ,if there be any difficulty in judging of such1 take an opportunity after some sudden rain1 or the breaking up of a great snow in winter1 and you shall see plainly which way the ground casts2 for the water will take the true fall1 and run accordingly4 ,the condition of the place must determine the quantity of ground to be covered with water4 ,i should propose in all1 fifteen acres in three ponds1 or eight acres in two1 and not less4 ,and these ponds should be placed one above another1 so as the point of the lower may almost reach the head or bank of the upper2 which will be very beautiful1 as well as profitable1 as will appear afterwards4 ,the head or bank1 which1 by stopping the water in its current1 is to raise the water1 and so make a pond1 must be built with the clay and earth taken from the pan or hollow dug in the lowest ground above the bank2 and that pan should be shaped as half an oval1 whereof the flat comes to the bank1 and the longer diameter runs square from it4 ,but were there not need of earth for this purpose1 it were better to leave the natural soil for the fish to feed upon4 ,i shall give the reason afterwards1 and consider the manner of raising and fortifying the bank particularly4 ,of the ,manner of the making and raising ,pond-,heads4 ,it is obvious1 that if you make a dam cross a valley or swamp1 where at any time after1 the water runs1 it will produce a pond2 and as the bank or dam is higher at the point or center1 which is against the lowest ground1 so much is the pond deeper2 and if the hills on each side rise steep and quick1 the water stopped will cover less ground than if they rise slow4 ,now first1 for making the bank or head1 you must be sure it is tight1 and that it do not sew or leak1 as it will certainly do1 if it be composed of mere earth2 therefore a bed or wall of clay1 the whole length of the bank1 must be carried up with good ramming1 from a foot or two below the surface of the ground1 to such height as you propose the water shall stand4 ,if you do not give the bed of clay this foundation1 the water lying under a great weight from the depth of it1 will work itself underneath1 so allow a spit or two at least for it4 ,then1 as you ram the clay1 you must be sure that earth be brought to carry the bank up with it1 or else the sun will search and crack it1 which is of pernicious consequence2 so when it is come to its full height1 close and cover it with earth immediately1 lest the inconvenience happens4 ,you must allow three feet to the breadth of this bed of clay1 and raise it to the height you intend the water shall stand1 and lay earth three feet higher2 two feet would have served1 but that the allowance of one at least must be made for the sinking of the bank2 for it will do so notwithstanding the pressing of tumbrels1 horses1 and men working upon it4 ,if you project many stews1 or other ponds to be sunk right down about the same time1 you will have great advantage by the clay you take out of them1 which will be much more than is necessary for the bed1 and that may fortify the bed1 by being pressed down by the tumbrels on each side of it2 and so the bank will be very much confirmed1 and it will also save breaking of ground within the pond1 which is a great advantage in the feed of the fish4 ,the ,dimensions of ,pond-,heads4 ,the dimensions of these banks are governed by the manner of the hills rising2 for if it be quick1 then1 to cover a competent quantity of ground1 you must raise the bank higher1 and consequently it must be made stronger1 than when the ground riseth slow1 so as a moderate height shall cast the water upon ground enough4 ,and of this there will be great difference2 for in some places1 ten feet high shall cover as much as twenty feet in others4 ,and this will be easily discovered by the water-level1 used according to art1 whereby you may stake the water-line upon the ground to any height2 and so you will fix the determinate height of the bank4 ,i will suppose a medium1 and that a bank1 fourteen feet high at the center1 will cover the quantity of ground4 ,then you must make your bank at the foot at least fifty feet wide1 and so straitening by equal degrees on either side1 bring it to sixteen at the top2 and so you will have a sufficient slope1 and the bank will stand firm and durable1 scarce to be destroyed without as much pains and industry as made it4 ,by this proportion1 pond heads of any dimension may be projected2 the matter is not so nicely circumstanced1 that a little more or less should signify4 ,but it must be noted1 that to make them too slight1 is the greatest error1 and most to be avoided2 let them be rather made too strong1 for then you have not only a more secure bank1 but a more beautiful walk1 and more room for wheel-carriage1 besides a capacity of some wood2 all which compensate the charge of what is superfluous4 ,of securing your ,banks4 ,if the bank be well made1 and in sufficient dimension1 nothing can hurt it1 but great land-floods1 or water-shots1 which1 if suffered to run over the bank1 will carry away the fish1 which in a warm flood will rise1 and go with it to seek adventures1 but also gurry holes in the back of the bank1 and weaken it so much1 that if the flood continues1 it shall carry all away together4 ,for preventing of this mischief1 there are two ways2 #a4 ,grates at each end of the bank1 planted upon the level that is to be the highest of the water4 #b4 ,channels of diversion1 which being taken so high in the current as may lead the water upon the side of either hill above the bank1 you have the power to turn out all the water when you please1 so that none shall come upon the bank4 #a4 ,as to grates1 the way of them is well known2 however observe1 that if they be made of wood1 the banks must be set diagonally1 like window-bars2 for so rubbish stops least against them1 and the water passeth freely4 ,and in regard you cannot allow any great distance between them for keeping in the fish1 you must help out the room by extending the grate from each side of the cut in the bank where the water is to vent1 some considerable space from the bank1 and there to meet in a point1 forming a triangle upon the bank4 ,here are many more slits for the water to vent at1 than if the grate lay flat upon the bank1 covering the passage only4 ,and if need be1 there may be doors to slide up and down1 made in the grate1 to let the water pass more freely2 but this endangereth losing the fish4 ,if you will afford iron for these grates1 you need only cover the passage of the bank2 for the bars need not be so thick1 but there will be space enough for the water to vent at4 #b4 ,the channels for diverting the water are very useful in this and many other respects2 for they give you a perfect command of the water1 and you may turn it which way you please1 so as to fill or keep dry any of the ponds1 and in a wet season are a perfect security4 ,these should be made four feet wide1 and on each side of the ponds the loss of ground is not considerable2 for wood growing there will make amends for it4 ,the string of ponds in ,hyde-,park are admirably disposed in this respect2 for the current of the valley is carried along by the side of all the ponds1 and may be let into any of them1 or any may be emptied into it2 than which1 there is not a greater command of water4 ,however carefully a bank is made1 it is probable it will sew a little at first2 but this should be no discouragement2 for by the settling of the earth1 it will continually grow higher1 and in a few years1 if made with tolerable care1 be as firm as a rock4 ,of ,sluices4 ,these are very requisite to the good command of a water1 and though very ordinarily used1 yet require an experienced carpenter to make and fix them as should be1 especially in great waters2 and such as have not experience1 shall err most grossly in this work4 ,they must be framed so as to stand firm1 that the force of any thrust1 or a boat's running against them1 may do no prejudice to them3 for if they are any thing strained1 they are apt to prove leaky2 and in so great an height as is needful for deep waters1 a small matter will do it1 unless they are extraordinarily well abutted4 ,the timber-work must be heart of oak1 especially the top1 and that all of one piece1 how long soever it be2 and the vent hole must be guarded with large boxes perforated so as the water1 but no fish1 may pass4 ,and all this well framed1 and what is under ground extraordinarily rammed with clay1 else it will be apt to leak4 ,the use of these is very great3 for if a great water must be emptied1 you must either apply engines1 cut the bank1 or draw a sluice4 ,as for engines1 they are too chargeable1 and puzzling to fix2 however1 ,i may propose to them that are lovers of art1 some facile ways of lifting great quantities of water4 ,then1 if you cut the bank1 the passage is interrupted and made troublesome by the earth1 and you shall scarce ram it up so well again1 but it will perpetually leak about the place where the fissure was2 but sluices vent the water certainly1 though slowly1 without any labour1 charge1 or inconvenience4 ,of the ,manner of working to raise a ,pond-,head4 ,now1 as for the manner of raising this bank1 which ,i think is the only chargeable work you have1 ,i shall give some light into the way of working1 so as to abridge the expence as much as may be4 ,the advantage of trades1 is1 that by continual experience1 they find nearer ways of doing things1 spending fewer strokes1 and less time1 than others can4 ,and in the conduct of this work1 there is much to be saved2 every man's reason leads him to contrive compendiums of business1 as ,i have done in the disposition of my waters2 which experience of mine may save others the thought1 as well as loss by making their own experiments4 ,when you have projected your work1 for which the latter end of ,june1 or the beginning of ,may1 is the best time1 take the assistance of your neighbours1 and provide yourself with six tumbrels1 four good horses1 and two stout labourers1 besides the driver to each pair of tumbrels4 ,i call them pairs1 because they work alternately with the same horses2 so that one is filling1 while the other is moving1 and your labourers1 as well as horses1 are always at work4 ,the first work to be done1 is1 the taking up the first spit of earth where the bank is to be1 and from the pan of the pond1 and to lay it by for the uses ,i shall declare hereafter4 ,then lay down your sluice1 with trunks sufficient to convey the water through the head or bank4 ,this must be done at the deepest part of the ground1 which probably will fall in the center of the bank4 ,this will employ two pair of tumbrels and four labourers1 for digging and fetching of clay1 besides four labourers to ram it1 which must be1 as was said1 very well done4 ,and the carpenter1 who beforehand hath fitted his work1 must attend also one whole day to help in the laying it down1 and to see it well rammed4 ,the next day's work may be the employment of two pair of tumbrels in fetching of clay1 and four or five good labourers to ram the foundation of the bed of clay4 ,and ,i suppose this may rise a foot in one whole day's work1 more or less1 as the length of the head is4 ,clay riseth stiff1 and for that1 if it riseth near1 as in the pan of the pond1 three labourers to a pair of tumbrels1 are requisite to dig and fill1 otherwise the horses will be idle1 and want work as well as the rammers4 ,the day after employ four pair of tumbrels more1 to fetch earth out of the pan of the pond to lay along the bank on each side of the bed of clay1 the whole length of the head2 and to this work1 two labourers for a pair of tumbrels are enough4 ,here you must lay on six labourers at least1 to ram the bed of clay1 and spread earth upon the bank1 so that it may be done as fast as the six tumbrels supply it2 and by this means the bank and bed of clay will rise together4 ,thus you proceed till the bank is finished1 which will rise faster as you come nearer the top1 and so will somewhat alter the employment of the tumbrels and men1 which you must conform in proportion accordingly4 ,and observing these directions1 you may make two ponds in one month 7supposing the weather propitious71 which shall be three1 four1 or five acres apiece1 as the ground gives1 and not expend in money above eighty pounds1 although you pay for every hour's work of man and horse4 ,but considering that a gentleman is supposed to intend this business1 not only as a care1 but an entertainment1 he will not suffer his own servants and horses to be without a share of it2 and then ,i cannot imagine which way he can expend above sixty pounds1 supposing labourers work for twelve pence per day1 which ,i cannot say they will do in all countries4 ,the third pond may be a work of another year2 and if the ground lies fair for it1 that is1 much upon a level1 ,i would not be without it2 for it will add much to the ornament of your estate1 because it will fill up a range or string of waters1 which two do not2 and besides contribute vastly to the increase of fish1 as ,i shall shew2 and ,i press this thing the rather1 because without it1 in the method ,i propose1 you will have the use of but one pond as to water every year4 ,nay1 were not conomy1 and saving charge1 one great branch of my design1 ,i should recommend more of these waters1 if the place will receive them4 ,and to demonstrate the charge is not so very great1 compared with the other expences gentlemen are at for their diversion1 without any return of profit1 as to deter any from undertaking this particular work2 ,i must remember1 that once1 at the command of my ,lord ,north1 ,i did1 as ,i have directed1 proceed to the making one great pond1 and one stew1 at ,catledge1 which are still to be seen1 but neglected2 and besides1 the regard to profit by the fish they would maintain and supply1 the very ornament of them was worth the charge4 ,i was limited to ten pounds1 besides the work of his lordship's horses1 which ,i compute to be four pounds more2 so the whole did not cost fifteen pounds1 and yet a full acre of ground lay under water1 and all was completed in twelve days4 ,his lordship would not allow the laying down a sluice1 else that water was a specimen of my proposition1 as well for the conduct1 as the charge of the work4 ,of ,auxiliary ,waters4 ,as a great garrison must have many subservient forts and redoubts dispersed about the place1 for securing the country1 and collecting the contributions1 which are to maintain the head-quarters2 so the great ponds1 which are the head-quarters of the fish1 must be accommodated with many other subservient waters1 which ,i call auxiliary1 because they serve to relieve the greater when over stocked1 to supply them when under stocked1 and to rear up and maintain fry and young stores1 as well as to render the fish easy to be taken2 without which conveniences1 you will have but a sorry account of the fish4 ,there are stews1 moats1 and ordinary ponds dispersed about in your estate and neighbourhood2 the employment of which being very considerable in the well ordering of fish1 ,i will consider each apart2 and first1 of stews4 ,of ,stews4 ,the peculiar use of these1 is1 to maintain fish for the daily use of your house and friends1 whereby you may with little trouble1 and at any time1 take out all or any fish they contain2 therefore it is good to place them in some inclosed grounds near the chief mansion-house4 ,some recess in a garden is very proper1 because the fish are fenced from robbers1 and your journey to them is short and easy1 and your eye will be often upon them1 which will conduce to their being well kept1 and they will be an ornament to the walks4 ,if you have two great waters of three or four acres apiece1 ,i do advise1 that you be not without four stews1 of two rods wide and three rods long apiece4 ,the way of making these1 is1 by cutting the sides down somewhat sloping1 and carrying the bottom in a perpetual decline from end to end1 so as you may have a convenient mouth1 such as horse-ponds usually have1 for taking out your nets when you draw for fish4 ,if you have ground enough1 it is better to make a mouth at both ends1 and the deepest part in the middle2 for so you may draw your nets backwards and forwards1 losing less time1 and the fish will not have such shelter1 as the depth under a head will be4 ,besides this1 you will find the fish will delight themselves in coming upon the shoals1 and it may be1 thrive better4 ,but for this manner you must allow at least a rod of ground in length more than for the other4 ,these ,i intend for carps chiefly1 though not absolutely2 and if you find the tench and perch increase and prosper1 you may make other lesser stews to accommodate them apart1 if you please2 and so you will have them at command1 without disturbing the other fish2 only observe this by the way1 that perch will scarce live in stews and small waters1 if the weather be hot1 but will pine1 grow lean and thin1 if not die2 therefore the stews are to be their winter-quarters2 from whence you take them for the use of your table1 but in summer translate them to the greater ponds4 ,these stews being designed at the same time you raise the pond-heads1 will be done almost under the same charge1 as is hinted elsewhere3 and once made1 you have the fish at a minute's warning ready for the kettle1 or any other use2 which convenience is the great end of all the charge and pains1 and without it1 you are not a master of fish4 ,of ,moats4 ,these were made ordinarily for securing of dwelling houses1 rather than for fish2 and since wars have been less frequent1 or rather1 grown so much an art1 that the ancient way of fortifying is not useful1 are almost disused4 ,for being laid so near the dwelling1 as we observe commonly they are1 for want of sun1 and air to purge them1 the water grows putrid and slimy1 yielding no pleasant scent to the house2 besides1 when laid dry1 as is necessary sometimes1 the stench and filth of them are insupportable2 and therefore many gentlemen have either slighted them wholly1 or presented the form only1 as a walk or low garden1 planting the side-walls with fruit1 but without water3 and so is the moat at ,althrop in ,northamptonshire1 a seat of the ,earl of ,sunderland's1 much of late beautified1 put in order1 and from a defect1 turned to a great perfection4 ,but ,i am an advocate for moats1 ordered as they might be1 and do esteem them a very great accomplishment to a seat in many respects4 #a4 ,though they are not a fortification for resistance in time of war1 yet against pilferers and tumults1 they are sufficient and better than any walls you shall make4 #b4 ,they shall nourish a world of fish1 which1 though not so well at command as in other waters1 yet for angling1 and the sporting part of net-fishing1 are better than the others are1 because nearer1 and fished with smaller nets4 #c4 ,they are an ornament and delight to a seat beyond imagination1 as will appear when ,i have shewed how ,i would have them made2 and of that next4 ,they should encompass not only the house1 but all the out houses1 yards1 orchards1 and it may be a pightle or two1 such as are neat for ordinary convenience of horses1 or a cow or two3 ,i say1 all that is called the home-stall1 should be environed by the moat4 ,it should be no less than forty yards1 or one hundred feet over1 cut down with a slope on each side1 as your pond-heads were1 without walls2 which are too great charge to keep in repair4 ,and towards the pastures1 you may make a mouth2 if it runs the whole length of one side of your moat1 it is the better1 and fish will increase and thrive from it4 ,let there be but two avenues with bridges3 ,and to prevent the charge of crossing so great a length with bridge-work1 you may leave the earth on each side broad enough for carriages1 but not to meet by ten or twelve feet1 which may be covered by a bridge1 and underneath1 the water to communicate2 so the pass shall be1 as upon a causeway1 with a draw-bridge2 for so it may be made1 if you please4 ,i know all situations and soils will not admit of this2 for some are low and marshy1 and so have naturally too much water2 others are upon hanging ground1 which for want of a level1 cannot be moated in this manner2 others are sandy1 and will not hold water3 ,but the happiest of all1 is1 such a situation as either hath springs1 or will take a current1 and discharge it again by a sluice or gates1 so that the moat shall be perpetually fed with a fresh water1 and may at any time be laid dry2 therefore in these affairs there must be a previous judgment of the place1 else undertakings will not succeed1 and that is a great disgrace4 ,now1 such a moat as this hath all the convenience ,i spoke of1 besides serves the house with water2 which from the wind and the sun's free access to it in a great body1 will certainly preserve it sweet and wholesome4 ,the sinks of the house will not foul it1 as it doth in lesser quantities1 even to kill the fish1 as well as make the water unfit for use4 ,the view of it is a delicacy the greatest epicures in gardening court1 and we hear of it by the name of canal4 ,then the moving upon it in boats1 either in calm weather1 or with some wind that stirs the water1 and gives a power of employing somewhat of sail1 after a romantick way2 and thus circling an house1 taking the variety of walks and gardens here and there1 visiting stables and offices1 seeing the horses air upon the banks1 c4 are pleasures not given to be understood by any but statesmen1 laid aside for their honesty1 who by experience are taught the variety of greatness1 and have an understanding to distinguish the true felicities of life4 ,i know the objection of charge1 which must be very great in such a work1 as this2 but ,i consider the great profusion of money that is allowed to transitory vanities2 such as habits1 treats1 equipages1 not to mention vices too well known2 such as are tellers of money and depauperate families1 leaving nothing but diseases to shew for them4 ,if so much1 or a much less proportion being disposed to employ mankind1 the poor especially1 in making holes1 and filling them again1 were much more commendable4 ,what is it then to produce advantage to yourself and family1 to improve your habitation and estate1 preserve health and reputation8 ,but even the charge might be alleviated1 if not in great part saved1 by good management4 ,for such gross works as this may be put out to undertakers1 and you may compute by the solid foot or yard1 what the charge will be2 and the masters will see the men work1 which you cannot do if you are master1 and do all by the day4 ,then1 every one delights to have raised walks and terraces about an house and garden2 so that the earth being employed in such1 and raising mounts in proper places1 will produce a real equivalent for the charge3 but this is a digression which here ,i conclude1 and return to the affair of fish4 ,then considering moats1 as commonly they are1 it is not expected that the fish should be much at command1 because it is difficult1 and perhaps not convenient to lay them dry4 ,however1 they should be kept full stocked1 and will maintain a great many4 ,this will mend your angling1 and the fishing with nets will seldom be labour in vain1 as certainly it will prove if under stocked4 ,these waters will receive a great share of your fry and stores that are superfluous1 and so preserve them4 ,if a moat come to be laid dry1 as will be necessary sometimes to keep it from turning all to mud1 after you have by a sluice or cut1 drained the water as low as you can1 make dams with boards and clay1 and ram them to be water-tight2 so you may toss the water out of one division to another1 and take out the fish in good order2 but if you dry all together1 you will not be able to secure all2 besides1 having one division full of water1 you can relieve the fry and eels by letting it upon them2 which else1 for want of a fresh to let in upon them1 will be lost4 ,so when one division is fished1 that is relieved by tossing the water out of the next4 ,and this course is not amiss1 though you intend to throw out the mud2 for the saving the fish while you are taking them out1 quits the charge of making the stanks4 ,of other auxiliary ,waters4 ,you must have other waters besides stews1 to assist in the disposition of the fish2 for laying a pond in that great order dry1 as ,i propose1 once in every year1 there will be a great quantity of fish to be disposed2 so that you must have a sufficient quantity of waters to receive when you abound1 and to recruit when you want4 ,the stews will carry sixty1 seventy1 or eighty carps apiece1 supposing you spend continually out of them2 so other waters will receive their proportion1 by sending this way and that the stock of fish1 you will preserve all1 and know where to find them again4 ,these bye-ponds will be dispersed about your estate1 where perhaps your predecessors thought fit to make them1 for the convenience of their pastures1 or you may make them as you can best1 with respect to charge and other advantages1 observing always in a ground to take that part for your pond1 to which the waters are most apt to settle4 ,in some places1 but very few1 the waters stand best upon the hills1 and the valleys1 when sandy1 will not hold well4 ,the nature of the ground is to be regarded4 ,some ponds of good depth1 of about five or six rods square1 should be assigned to maintain pikes1 which1 when great1 ought to be kept by themselves2 for in a few years they will devour other fish1 and greatly surprise you in the destruction they will make4 ,but ,i shall speak more of this when ,i come to the stocking of waters4 ,i do much approve of cleansing and carting out the mud of small standing waters once in seven or eight years1 and so letting them lie dry one summer1 if you can spare the water2 which1 from moats1 and pasture-waters1 can scarce be done1 without great inconvenience4 ,these matters exercise the invention of a good conomist1 who will endeavour to prevent damage1 as well as save time1 and turn even his pleasures to profit4 ,one thing ,i advertise here1 which is1 not to let carps continue in a small standing water above two summers and one winter2 for so you run a much less hazard from frost1 than otherwise you will do2 besides1 the fish will grow much more upon transplanting1 than by continuing in the same water1 and more in the great1 than in the small waters3 but of these things more afterwards4 ,the ,course of laying the ,great ,waters ,dry4 ,before ,i come to the business of fish1 ,i will finish what ,i had to say about ponds1 and the conduct of them2 and of that only remains to speak of the course of laying them dry4 ,as for the smaller waters1 ,i have touched what concerns them already2 as for the greater1 or principal ponds1 proceed thus3 ,in ,october1 or after1 draw the sluice of the first made pond1 and lay it as dry as possible you can4 ,it may be the sluice1 especially if the pond be many acres1 will not vent the water suddenly4 ,that is of no great import1 because1 as the waters fall1 you will have opportunity of fishing with nets1 and so clear the fish by degrees2 which left to the last1 will be too great a burden to clear1 and will not be done without damage2 besides1 the hurry will disorder every thing4 ,if the sluice will not vent all the water from the pan1 a labourer or two will soon throw it out with scuppets4 ,here you find the use of the channels of diversion1 spoke of before2 for they will keep off all land-waters1 if the time should prove rainy1 and so permit the pond to empty1 and continue dry1 which you could not answer for a day without them2 and therefore they should be made on both sides of the waters1 on each hill one1 which will defend the shot of these hills1 that otherwise would retard the work4 ,when your pond is dry1 and thus secured1 keep it so all summer1 and you may make a profit of the soil sufficiently1 either by ploughing or feeding4 ,and at ,michaelmas next1 or a little sooner1 let fall the sluice1 and turn in all the water you can1 that the pond may fill1 and at the being near full1 it is ready to receive the stock again4 ,at the same time lay another dry1 proceeding as before2 which you may do alternately during your whole life3 nay1 if you have but two great ponds1 this is the best course1 and will turn most to the profit and feed of the fish1 as ,i shall shew when ,i speak of feeding4 ,if your stock be very great1 you may let your ponds stand full two or three years1 but not longer1 unless you delight to see starved lean fish2 for such they will certainly be1 unless you keep an under-stock by three-fourths continuing in the same water four or five years4 ,and it is a certain rule1 that the oftener waters are laid dry1 the better the feed of the fish shall be1 and more shall be maintained4 ,and a little experience will demonstrate the advantage to be great1 as to the size1 fatness1 and sweetness of the fish4 ,when your pond is dry1 concern not yourself to carry out the mud for the first fourteen or fifteen years2 and then let it be only out of the pan whence you took the earth to raise the bank1 but never break the turf of the rest of the ground flowed3 but when it comes to be a yard thick in mere mud1 it is good to take it out2 for though mud be good to improve ground1 yet1 when it is taken from the pond1 down to the dead earth1 your ground and soil are depauperated1 and the water by consequence1 which cheats the fish1 that is1 yourself4 ,of the ,breeding of ,fish4 ,having done with ponds1 the manner of making1 preserving1 and using them1 ,i intend next to discourse of fish1 and how best to dispose them to maintain the waters in full stock3 but before ,i come to the stocking of waters1 ,i must speak of the course of breeding fish1 whereby the stock is to be recruited and supplied4 ,some have thought1 that great difference is to be found in the sorts of carps1 some whereof are more apt to grow up to a great size1 others to spread and look thick1 and others for the sweetness of the meat4 ,i do not deny but there may be some difference1 but ,i cannot esteem it so considerable1 as to be worth the looking after4 ,varieties in nature are infinite1 and in the several breeds of fish1 as of other creatures3 yet ,i have not observed so much of it in carps1 that ,i could tell how to distinguish them1 where ,i could promise myself better success with one sort than another4 ,this is a nicety which fishmongers1 that make a trade of buying and selling1 talk of1 intending it only as a topic of mystery1 which all trades affect1 and to have something to say for valuing or undervaluing1 as they sell or buy1 to justify in their talk the prices they propose to take or give2 therefore this nicety is left to them4 ,i do yet believe1 that a sort of fish1 bred in great numbers in bad waters1 over-stocked1 and almost starved1 may in process of time degenerate1 and both lose a good shape1 and be less apt to grow up to a due greatness1 than others that have been better descended of a cultivated stock3 and on the other side1 it is no less possible1 that by coming into good quarters1 fish may improve and mend2 so that a gentleman is to expect the goodness of his fish from the cleanness of his waters1 and the plenty of their feed1 and not from any choice of his stock or breed2 and let him get them where he may1 if well ordered1 he may assure himself they shall answer his expectations4 ,it is a common observation1 that some waters will1 and others will not breed4 ,it is my experience1 that most waters1 the first year after having lain dry a summer1 do breed1 and that numerously1 especially carps1 which ,i have known increase to such an incredible fry1 that ,i have been troubled how to dispose them1 so as to have them again after three or four years1 when they became good stock for great waters4 ,eels and perch are of very good use to keep down the breed of fish2 for they prey much upon the spawn and fry of bred fish1 and will probably destroy the superfluity of them4 ,the quality of breeding is scarce to be found out by any certain symptom2 for some very promising ponds do not prove useful that way4 ,the best indication ,i know of a breeding pond1 is1 when there is good store of rush and grazing about it1 and gravelly shoals1 such as horse-ponds usually have4 ,when a water takes thus to breeding1 with a few milters and spawners1 two or three of each1 you may stock a country4 ,as for pike1 perch1 tench1 roach1 c4 they are observed to breed in almost any waters1 and very numerously2 only eels never breed in perfect standing waters1 and without springs2 and in such are neither found1 nor increase1 but by putting in2 but where springs are1 they are never wanting1 though not put in3 and which is most strange of all1 no person ever saw in an eel the least token of propagation1 either by milt or spawn in them2 so that whether they breed at all1 and how they are produced1 are questions equally mysterious4 ,the ,manner of ,stocking ,waters4 ,i have found a great analogy between the stocking waters with fish1 and pastures with cattle2 and that the same conduct and discretion belong to both4 ,waters may be over-stocked1 as pastures often are2 so both may be under-stocked4 ,the latter is the less error2 for if you over-stock1 you lose the whole summer's seed2 if you under-stock1 you lose only the rest of your profit2 what you do seed1 is much the better1 and turns to account by more ready sale4 ,so also of beasts2 some of the same age and seeding will not thrive so well as others4 ,i have found the like in my fish4 ,and waters themselves1 like pastures1 have varieties of goodness2 some will raise carps from five to eighteen inches1 in five years2 others will not do it in ten4 ,this is most sensible between your great waters made upon a fall1 and the small standing waters1 which have more inconveniencies1 and are liable to frosts1 and other casualties1 more than the others are4 ,therefore ,i propose1 that the smaller waters should be used as nurseries1 and either to breed1 or be stocked with the bred fry of other waters1 to raise them to a fitness for stores in your principal feed2 that is1 to six or eight inches4 ,and of these bred fry1 you may put one hundred into four rods square of water1 or near that proportion1 and fail not to remove them in two years time2 and so you will have good recruits of stores for your greater waters4 ,and thus the many thousands of bred fish that you will have upon the draining your great waters1 which many are apt to slight1 may be sent several ways to the waters about that and your neighbour's grounds1 and there fed up like chickens1 and in time turn to great profit1 as ,i shall shew2 therefore they ought not to be slighted1 but carefully to be preserved2 the rather1 because considering a pond 7as ,i propose7 will1 though but four acres1 feed up one thousand six hundred carps in two1 and perhaps in one year1 from ten to eighteen inches1 fit for your table-presents1 or sale4 ,how is it possible you should restock your waters the winter after1 without this providential forecast1 whereby you have magazines of fish in other ponds1 fit stores to supply your occasion8 ,now1 as for your great and principal waters1 it is hard to assign a certain proportion for the stock2 but perusing the methods ,i propose1 you will soon come to the knowledge what stock the waters will carry2 for laying a pond dry every year1 you will see the fish well fed1 or else thin and lean2 and accordingly you judge whether the stock was too little or too much for the water4 ,thus1 by the thickness or fatness of cattle1 you judge if your ground will carry more or not2 and both as to species and number of fish1 experience must be your guide in the stocking of waters4 ,however1 to save loss of time1 which you must sustain by making your own experience1 ,i will give the best directions ,i can1 for the first entry upon your business1 and not leave the matter wholly in the dark4 ,if the pond be supplied with a white fat water upon great rains1 you may put into it at first three hundred carps per acre1 in case there be three or four acres1 else not so many4 ,and it will be expedient to put in forty or fifty tenches for a trial1 because this sort of water is most proper for carp2 but being laid dry1 sometimes may prove well for tenches also1 which1 when thriven1 are a very good fish2 but this proof by trial must determine4 ,you may add perches to any number1 and not hurt the water3 ,i propose six hundred2 for though they are great breeders1 being also fishes of prey1 they devour their own species as much1 if not more than any other2 and by destroying the fry of bred fish1 they preserve the food for the maintenance of their feeders1 which the fry would intercept2 so do good rather than harm4 ,i took once out of a perch's belly of ten inches1 ten other perches4 ,this is esteemed one of the best sorts of fresh-water fish1 and therefore deservedly to be encouraged4 ,have a great care of putting bream in this sort of waters2 for they will grow up very slowly1 though at last they will be great2 but in the mean time they breed so infinitely1 and such a slimy nasty fry1 as both robs and fouls the water1 making it unfit for the other fish4 ,but when a water is ten or twelve acres1 and fed with some brook1 winter and summer1 they will do very well2 otherwise not to be made use of4 ,as for pike1 which are inferior to no fresh-water fish1 and now more esteemed than ever1 being less plentiful upon draining the fens1 and so harm more2 they are dangerous guests in the great waters2 for if grown large1 they will devour and destroy the best fish1 and depopulate the water4 ,but thus far you may trust them2 if you can procure one hundred jacks once in two years not exceeding nine inches1 you may put them with the carps into your great waters1 so as your carps are not under nine or ten inches2 but take care that they stay not above two years1 and then send them to their peculiar ponds1 and feed them as ,i shall hereafter discourse1 and so they will grow to be very large and fine fish1 which you would not want4 ,i cannot advise the stocking great standing waters with eels1 for they grow slow1 and being of an indifferent size1 will be lean and dry2 but in moats1 which have the sinks of an house drain into it1 is proper enough for them1 and they will thrive in it4 ,it is a sort of fish1 as ,i noted1 that belongs to a springy water4 ,these directions belong to the first stocking of new-made ponds1 which1 as to feeding1 lie under a disadvantage2 the reason ,i have touched1 and is from the dead earth in the pan from whence you raised the bank1 and that at first1 which is about an acre1 is almost unprofitable4 ,but afterwards1 when that dead ground hath contracted a little new soil from the settling of the water1 especially after land-floods1 and lain dry a summer1 whereby it will begin to graze1 it will become like the rest of the pond1 and put forth as good feed for fish as any other part4 ,this may seem strange and new1 but is a great truth1 known to me from indubitable experience4 ,then after one1 two1 or three years 7for longer the pond must not stand full71 when you come to restock1 and so on in all like occasions1 you may put four hundred carp1 or three hundred carp1 and eight hundred tench 7if the water feeds them7 into an acre1 besides perches4 ,it is incredible to those who have not seen it1 as ,i have done1 how carps thus ordered1 by transplanting them every year or two1 will grow4 ,i affirm1 that from six1 they will grow to twelve and better the first1 and to fifteen or sixteen the next year2 and then they are most fit for a gentleman's table ordinarily2 for though greater are more ostentatious1 yet these are the most sweet and best meat1 as young flesh is commonly preferred to old4 ,it is to be noted1 that if the fish wherewith you stock the waters1 were kept so close together1 and come from over-stocked waters1 which renders them lean and poor1 you must double the stock at first2 else the two sudden plenty of food at first will surfeit them1 and they will die of overmuch blood1 as ,i have found to my great loss4 ,of the ,manner of feeding ,fish4 ,in a stew you may keep up thirty or forty carps1 from ,october to ,march in winter1 without feeding2 and by fishing with trammels or flews in ,march or ,april1 you may take from your great waters1 to recruit the stews2 but you must not fail to feed all summer1 from ,march to ,october again1 as constantly as your cooped chickens are fed1 and to as good and certain account4 ,the reason you feed in summer1 and not in winter1 is1 because the fish will lie close in cold weather1 and feed little1 not caring to stir1 especially upon the shoals1 where it is proper to give them meat4 ,if you would bring more fish together into your stews1 you may preserve and improve them by feeding2 but there are bounds1 because the water is but small1 and will not admit any great number3 but if you have a great number of fish to be kept for an opportunity1 and you put them into a considerable water1 you may in that manner stock to any quantity1 taking care duly to feed them2 and so not only maintain1 but improve one thousand per acre2 but if thus over-stocked1 and you do not feed sufficiently1 they will sink1 and you be a great loser4 ,now1 as for your stews1 the care of feeding is best instructed to a butler or gardener1 who are or should be always at home1 because the constancy and regularity of serving the fish1 conduce very much to their well eating and thriving2 for they will expect their meat as duly as horses1 and appetite in any creature wastes by disappointment4 ,any sort of grain boiled is good to feed with1 especially malt coarse ground4 ,pease boiled a turn or two are as good as any other grain4 ,the grains after a brewing1 while they are good and sweet1 are very proper2 but one bushel of malt not brewed1 will go as far as two of grains4 ,the chippings of bread1 and orts of a table1 steeped in tap-droppings of good strong beer or ale1 are very good food for carps4 ,of these the quantity of two quarts to thirty table carps every day is sufficient2 and to feed morning and evening1 is better than once a day only4 ,the place to feed is towards the mouth1 at about half yard deep2 for that keeps the deep clean and fit1 as a parlour to retire to1 and rest in4 ,the meat plainly thrown into the water1 without other device1 will be picked up by them1 and nothing shall be lost4 ,however1 there are several ways to give them meat1 especially pease1 which are useful1 as a square board let down1 with the meat upon it1 by the four corners1 whence a string comes1 and made fast to a stick like a scale1 is very manageable4 ,a gentleman had found out a very facile way to feed carps1 worth noting1 because ,i have heard it was successful4 ,he let down the very kettle in which the pease were boiled1 into the water1 and the fish would come and take out every grain4 ,when you feed in the greater waters1 where the numbers are also great1 it will be a charge as well as trouble2 but when you take out the fish1 and see how they are thriven1 you will allow both well employed4 ,either malt boiled1 or fresh grains1 is the best food in this case3 and what is not supplied from your own house and brewings1 you may take of neighbouring alehouses1 who will be willing1 for a small matter1 to throw into the water1 at a place you shall assign1 a certain quantity every brewing4 ,thus carps may be fed and raised like capons4 ,and tenches will feed in stews1 as well as carps2 but perch1 as was said1 are not for a stew in feeding time4 ,there is a sort of food for fish1 which ,i may call accidental1 and is no less improving1 than the best you can contrive2 and that is1 when the waters happen to receive the wash of commons where many sheep are fed1 the water is enriched by the earth1 and shall feed many more carps1 than otherwise it would4 ,this is the case at ,antlingham in ,norfolk1 where there are ponds in a common that raise carp wonderfully1 although the soil be sandy and poor1 and the waters seldom let out2 and this earthy wash is the reason of it4 ,when cattle are fed upon the pastures by your great waters1 if they have access to them1 in hot weather they will take delight to stand in the water2 the dung that falls from them1 is also a very great nourishment of fish4 ,it is believed1 that about ,london the fishmongers have ways of making carps fat by the offal of butchers shops and slaughter-houses2 which ,i do not at all recommend to others1 if that were to be done1 because a sudden filthy feeding can neither be wholesome nor sweet4 ,but ,i have not observed1 that carps do in any sort delight in blood1 nor indeed any other fish1 except breams2 and those will feed much upon new grains mixed with blood2 so that if you will be at the charge of feeding them in stews1 like carps1 you may have large breams in six or seven years1 which are a very slow grower1 unless it be in springy waters4 ,one way of feeding fish is worth remembering1 though not fit to be used in waters that you ever look upon4 ,it is laying a dead carrion upon stakes in the middle of the water1 and it will breed maggots1 which falling into the water1 feed the fish very considerably2 but ,i have not proved it4 ,as for pikes1 the best food to raise them up to an extraordinary fatness is eels2 and without them it is not to be done1 but in a long time2 otherwise small perches are the best meat you can give them4 ,and the common opinion1 that pikes will not eat perches1 because of their armed backs1 is a great mistake1 as ,i have found by certain experience4 ,breams put into a pike-pond1 will breed exceedingly1 and are good enough to maintain pikes1 who will take care they shall not increase overmuch4 ,and the great fry of roaches and rouds that come from the greater waters1 removed into the quarters of your pikes1 will be good diet for them4 ,pikes in all waters1 and carps in hungry springy waters1 being fed at certain times1 will come up and take their meat almost from your hand2 and it is diverting enough to see the greediness and striving that will be amongst them for the good bits1 and the boldness1 that by constant and regular feeding1 they will come to4 ,of disposing your ,increase of ,fish4 ,this care presseth when you employ your great waters2 and unless you have projected beforehand how you shall dispose your fish1 you will find yourself in great disorder4 ,as for carps for the service of your house1 and also tenches and perch for winter1 they are to be disposed into your stews4 ,the rest of your fish1 except the fry1 you may put into the great water1 and in ,march or ,april after1 with flews or trammels1 take out good quantities to recruit your winter's expence taken from your stews2 the fry goes to your pikes1 except carps1 tench1 and perch1 which may go to some of your auxiliary waters to be raised1 in order to become stores again when you want4 ,and if1 after all1 you find your stock too high1 you must feed as ,i have already discoursed4 ,but you may contrive to keep your stock within compass2 for you may enlarge the expence in your house1 and gratify your family and friends that visit you1 with a dish as acceptable as any you can purchase for money2 or you may oblige your friends and neighbours1 by making presents of them1 which1 from the countryman to the king1 is well taken2 for many that have waters1 not being in a method of husbanding them1 as well as others that have none1 want and desire fish1 and look upon such a present1 as of a rarity1 valuing it not by your plenty1 but their own scarcity4 ,and where fish is plenty1 it is a positive disgrace to appear covetous of them1 rather more than of venison1 or any other thing2 so that presents are not only expedient1 but necessary to be made by him that professeth a mastery of fish4 ,another way1 more prudent1 though in the account of shallow people1 less reputable1 is that of selling4 ,if there were any colour for disreputation in that matter1 ,i should bestow some words upon it2 but seeing it resides only among vain women1 or women-like men1 ,i let the humour pass1 and should as soon preach against the opinion of fairies and ,robin-,goodfellow1 as that4 ,only by the way1 ,i presume to advise the censorious sparks to do nothing unjust2 let their dealing be plain1 though in selling of horses1 spend what is their own1 provide for their families1 and be true to their friend2 and after this1 whether they sell corn1 cattle1 conies1 sheep1 deer1 horses1 or fish1 ,i will insure their honour for a farthing4 ,it is the truth and substance of things1 and no person's opinion1 that governs honour1 which consists wholly in doing what is truly just and good1 and nothing otherwise4 ,this matter being dismissed1 ,i proceed to direct the course to be taken when you propose to sell4 ,first contract with the person you deal with for a quantity2 which1 if for sale to eat1 will be by the measure of so much per inch1 for every inch above a foot2 if for stores1 then so much per hundred1 or dozen1 between certain lengths1 as between nine and twelve1 and seven and ten inches1 to be delivered alive where it is agreed4 ,this trade will be easy1 if you are planted within forty miles of ,london1 which will take off quantities for retailing1 else it will be hard to find contractors2 but for stores1 there will be some always beginning in fish1 with whom you may deal2 and so few will sedulously apply to the conduct of their waters1 as is necessary to a command of fish1 you need not fear the country will be over-stocked4 ,if the humour of living in the country once repossesseth the gentleman1 there may be much more occasion for stores than at present there is1 because their seats are let to tenants1 and the waters uncultivated4 ,when you have contracted1 you are at a certainty1 and may proceed2 for it is a great inconvenience to take and carry fish1 and then be paid with a wrangle2 therefore let your terms be certain1 and you can have no dispute1 because all is to be declared by measure4 ,you will find your stews and auxiliary waters of great use to you upon such occasions2 for you clap in what fish you please for fourteen or fifteen days2 for instance1 five or six hundred carps to a brace of stews1 and they take no harm3 if they continue longer1 it is but feeding them until they are fetched or carried away4 ,of fishing for ,carriage4 ,as for the particular ways and methods of taking fish1 such as ,i have dealt in1 is at present besides my design1 though ,i may not perhaps altogether pass it by1 so much as concerns the carriage of fish1 which ,i look upon as a considerable item in the managery as to profit1 which ,i principally aim at1 ,i shall now observe4 ,when your fishing is in order to remove far1 whether the waters are great or small1 it must be done in winter1 between the first of ,october1 and the last of ,march2 and the colder the weather is1 the better4 ,one great caution is1 not to handle1 or any way to batter or bruise them2 for it is a great truth1 and common sense speaks it1 that fish battered and bruised1 will not thrive upon transplanting1 so well as others2 therefore when your pond is drawn1 and you come to the fish1 take them out of the water with hoop-nets fixed upon staves about ten feet long1 and ten or twelve fish at a time in a net is sufficient1 though but a foot long2 more1 by their weight and struggling1 will damage each other insensibly1 so as to hinder their growth and thrift1 and perhaps be the cause that many die4 ,let the fish be as little out of the water as may be2 for when fouled1 and almost choaked with mud1 they will clean and recover themselves with water1 which freshen upon them often1 till you come to put them up for carriage4 ,if you fish with nets1 and make a great draught1 as probably you will when the water is low1 be not hasty to draw the fish upon the ground1 but secure them by taking the lead line upon the ground1 and holding up the cork line1 and so let them stir a little1 they will be the cleaner2 and then take them out with hoop-nets1 as before4 ,and if there be occasion to keep them any time out of the water1 let it be upon the grass1 when there is no sun1 or else in the shade1 for heat is the greatest enemy to the life of fish out of water that can be4 ,the best vessel for conveyance 7if you carry above twenty miles7 is a great tun that holds five hogsheads2 but if no more than ten1 fifteen1 or twenty miles1 ordinary hogsheads will do well enough4 ,i know by experience you may safely carry three hundred carps1 six and seven inches long1 in one hogshead2 but from seven to a foot1 not so many by a fourth part4 ,if they exceed a foot1 then not above seventy or eighty in a hogshead4 ,let every hogshead have ten or twelve pails of fresh clean water 7not well-water71 every six or seven miles1 if it may be had4 ,there is no need of any great liberty for the fish1 if their water be fresh1 and often renewed2 for one great use of the water is to bury the fish1 that with mere weight they might not crush and destroy one another4 ,when you are arrived at the place of discharge1 pour the fish into an hoop-net a few at a time1 and dispose them forthwith where they are designed2 and with this care you will scarce lose a fish4 ,some use to put up fish in baskets or hampers for carriage1 stowing them with grass between2 but this is not so good as water1 for the grass cleaving to the slime of the fish1 rubs and cleans it from the scales2 which done1 a carp scarce ever thrives after4 ,and although perhaps the fish may live1 they will not grow or thrive1 because their natural slime1 scarce recoverable1 is rubbed off2 and for the same reason1 it is not good to let carps lie at all in grass1 but keep them always in water1 to preserve them from bruises1 and losing their slime4 ,of ,nurseries to ,ponds and ,fish4 ,generally speaking1 the fresher air and cleaner soil your water hath1 the better fish thrive4 ,wood of any sort near the water is bad1 not only from its hindering the wind and sun from purifying the water1 but from the leaves falling in1 and rotten wood2 both which are pernicious to fish4 ,but osiers and willows may be allowed of1 without much inconvenience4 ,oak boards1 or timber laid in water1 as sometimes is done to season1 will in all probability destroy all your fish2 and likewise hemp laid to rot2 all which are therefore to be avoided4 ,dung-hills1 stables1 or cow-houses1 permitted to drain into ponds1 are very ill neighbours1 and most especially wash-houses1 which certainly spoil a standing water4 ,of ,frosts1 and the ,ways to save the ,fish in them4 ,the great plague and bane of fish in moats1 great and small1 and other little standing waters1 are great and sharp frosts4 ,i have used all the tricks that ,i have heard of1 which are not a few1 or could devise1 to save my fish in such waters2 and yet in ten years time ,i have lost three or four thousand carps4 ,but yet ,i have found ways to save the life of many a fair carp1 when my neighbours have lost all2 which ,i shall declare as my own experience1 and may be profitable upon like occasions to any that will use them4 ,first1 as to the sorts of fish that suffer most1 ,i can only say1 that the tench1 if any1 is frost-proof1 and will shift in extremity2 but if the frost be intense and long1 the other sorts1 as carps1 eels1 pike1 perch1 and roach1 will go near to perish2 and ,i have found not any great difference of hardness1 but when one fish complains1 they are all in imminent danger4 ,the waters most obnoxious to frosts are such as are standing1 shallow1 or small4 ,for if there be either a water-current1 or a fresh spring1 no fish dies for frost4 ,if an hard winter succeeds a very dry summer1 the fish suffers most4 ,if the ponds are large and deep1 such as ,i have directed to be made upon the channel of water1 which may not run but upon floods or rain1 the fish will never die in frost there2 but such waters you must look upon as the asylum for the securing the fish in extremity2 and all that you can put in there alive1 though through a hole in the ice1 will certainly live4 ,if the bank of a pond sews1 it will preserve the fish in frost2 the reason1 as ,i imagine1 is1 because where the water sews out1 the air will bubble in1 which relieves the fish2 or perhaps it might put the water into some degree of motion4 ,if so1 the stirring water with a board flat upon a pole put under the ice1 might do good2 but this is conjecture4 ,the symptom of mortality to your fish in time of frost1 is1 their shewing themselves2 which if you perceive in the least1 conclude all are going2 and without a thaw1 that water will not keep them alive4 ,for it is the nature of fish in cold weather to lie as close and deep as they can2 so that nothing but the pangs of death shall make them move4 ,if no holes are broke1 they will rise and stick to the ice1 and be frozen to it2 if there be holes1 they will move about them1 as if they came up for fresh air4 ,when the frost hath continued long1 and hard1 that you begin to suspect your fish1 you may make a trial by cutting holes in several places1 some in the middle1 and some by the sides of the waters that are obnoxious2 that is1 after about ten days freezing2 and by the appearing of the fish1 or not1 you shall discover the temper and condition they are in2 therefore watch them diligently4 ,if they are not well1 they will appear2 then prepare all hands to take out every fish1 as near as you can2 for what you take out1 you may preserve1 and all that are left behind1 are probably lost4 ,many use to break holes to relieve the fish1 and1 as they think1 give them fresh air2 some have put dung bound up together into the holes1 as if the warmth of that keeping the hole open would preserve the fish2 but these ways1 and all others that ,i have heard of1 except taking out the fish1 are mere vanities4 ,i have cut many holes1 and large ones1 and employed men to take out the ice1 and keep them open1 but to no advantage4 ,one thing appeared very oddly to me1 when ,i took that course4 ,many of the fish in a large moat had gathered together in a corner obverted to the ,south1 where the ground rose under an high bank1 to a shoal-water4 ,these fish1 by their motion and heat1 together with the sun's heat1 that was strongest there1 kept the water from freezing1 and ,i could plainly see every fish1 great and small4 ,there were carp1 pike1 perch1 eels1 and fry in abundance1 collected as if it had been a general counsel of all the orders of fish1 met to consider what was to be done in that extremity1 very diverting to observe4 ,but to leave conceits1 and come to the only expedient which ,i have found effectual to save the fish in this case2 and that is1 to set great tubs or fats full of water in some outhouse1 not far from a fire2 and as fast as the fish appear1 take them out1 and put them there2 and from thence you may convey them in a basket to your great waters1 where you may make an hole at about eight feet deep1 and putting the fish in1 preserve them2 or if you please1 you may keep them there1 freshening the water every twelve hours1 until the frost breaks1 and put them into their own houses again4 ,you may plainly perceive how the fish1 though stunned and numb with the frost1 coming into the fat1 will by degrees recover1 and be perfectly well again2 and thus you may keep them five weeks1 or longer1 if the frost continues4 ,i have gone farther3 sometimes fish have been to all appearance dead1 others frozen and inveloped in ice1 yet by this method ,i have preserved them2 for heating water1 and putting it into the fat1 until ,i brought the water there to a ,midsummer heat1 and then ,i have put such fish in1 with their shell of ice upon them1 and in six or seven hours the ice was gone1 and the fish alive and well2 and so ,i have delivered them to my great waters1 brisk as any4 ,this may seem strange1 but it is most true1 and to be attested1 if need were2 therefore in frost use this and no other means1 for all else will prove but labour in vain4 ,in small waters1 where is the greatest danger of frost1 observe never to put in stock1 but the last week of ,february1 or beginning of ,march2 for then they take less hurt in removing1 and they may be taken out in ,october after1 and so all hazard of frost prevented2 and if you venture them there one winter1 be sure never let them run the hazard of another4 ,so you have two summers feed1 which will raise a carp from store to the table1 and venture but one winter's frost2 and in winter they neither feed nor grow any thing considerable4 ,of the ordinary ,benefits and ,improvements by ,fish4 ,these were touched when ,i spoke of disposing the increase of fish2 that is1 furnishing your table1 obliging your friends1 and raising money4 ,i shall only add to the last1 that it is most reasonable1 if it can be contrived1 that pleasures pay for the charge of them4 ,then what is more justifiable1 than to make ponds yield a profit to answer the great charge in making them8 ,but we must go farther3 ground shall be vastly improved by fish1 and shall be intrinsically worth1 and yield more this way1 than by any other employment you can give it3 for suppose it meadow of two pounds per acre 7which is an high value for the best meadow far from ,london71 ,i will justify1 that four acres in pond shall return you every year one thousand carps fed up1 from -- to fourteen or fifteen inches1 besides pikes1 perch1 and tench1 and other fry1 useful on many accounts1 if the water suits them4 ,the carps are saleable1 and will bring perhaps twelve pence1 but in all likelihood not less than nine pence2 yet1 let it be six pence apiece1 there is twenty-five pounds1 which is six pounds five shillings per acre2 a little charge of carriage perhaps to be deducted4 ,this is improvement enough4 ,but lay aside profit1 and consider how a gentleman should entertain himself and his family1 which ,i must suppose every one hath1 who lives upon an estate1 and it may be numerous2 he must find some sort of diversion for them4 ,must it be altogether going abroad to make1 or at home receiving visits8 ,or if the female part are so grave1 to decline that course of life1 must they always be within8 ,or if they stir out1 have nothing but mere air to invite them8 ,perhaps the gentleman himself may find diversion by hunting1 c4 and meeting company upon several diverting accounts2 and shall all his entertainments be exclusive of his family8 ,no1 certainly2 whoever aims at an easy and satisfactory course of life1 must seek that his family1 as well as himself1 be pleased3 and if he doth not order it so that they shall be entertained1 it is ten to one they will find such entertainments as shall not be very grateful to him2 therefore there is advantage enough in the mastery of fish1 from the diversion1 not to speak of the employment that it brings to a family4 ,young people love angling extremely2 then there is a boat1 which gives pleasure enough in summer1 frequent fishing with nets1 the very making of nets1 seeing the waters1 much discourse of them1 and the fish1 especially upon your great sweeps1 and the strange surprizes that will happen in numbers and bigness1 with many other incident entertainments1 are the result of waters1 and direct the minds of a numerous family to terminate in something not inconvenient1 and1 it may be1 divert them from worse4 ,parks1 bowling-greens1 and billiard-tables1 are of the same design2 but it will be easily granted1 this of fish is beyond them all4 ,if it be said1 that this is not a pleasure1 it is all care and pains1 especially to him that is the master1 who must be perpetually vexed at the negligence and blockishness of servants1 that will never perform what he expects and orders3 ,i answer1 that is a good reason for leaving the world4 ,the plague of servants is the same in all business1 wherein you use and depend upon them2 therefore1 to be rid of it1 give away your estate1 retire1 and be an hermit3 and even then you shall find the gnawing of your own mind a more perverse evil1 than all the business1 servants1 with the crosses and vexations attending them4 ,we were not made perfect1 but must live in perpetual disease2 the only point is1 which way to lessen it2 and that must be by employment1 which diverts the sense of our innate misery4 ,what can be a greater torture1 than to live chained to a bed1 though the best in the world1 and have no company nor business8 ,therefore court business1 if you would pass for an epicurean1 and let it be such as brings comfort to nature1 and not pain and torment in the consequence2 that is to say1 lawful1 profitable1 obliging1 and temperate4 ,so you avoid offending the publick1 increase your store1 win your friends and family1 and preserve your health2 all which1 ,i take it1 are accomplished1 in great measure1 by the mastery of fish4 ,now1 as to the vending of fish1 observe that it is best to be content with the market price1 as you can find it1 as most are for other vendible commodities2 and for carps between thirteen or fourteen1 or sixteen inches1 measuring from nose-end to tail-end1 twelve pence is a good price2 selling to the nobility or gentry1 may produce one penny more1 and may measure up to seventeen2 but never promise above twenty turned of sixteen in twelve score4 ,of ,benefits1 besides the main ,design4 ,these are many1 and not inconsiderable2 as first1 when you make a great water1 you take the first spit of the ground upon which the bank is to stand1 and from the pan of the pond4 ,in case you take earth there for the bank1 and this you carry to some place where it is most easily removed upon your tillage-ground1 and there let it lie to rot the sod1 and then there is not a better manure1 and more than pays the charge of digging and carrying it4 #b4 ,you gain the making of stews1 and1 it may be1 other ponds for the convenience of your cattle1 all under one charge3 for if you must dig clay and earth for your bank1 it is as easily taken where it doth this1 as otherwise4 #c4 ,if the soil about the waters be any thing moorish1 it may be planted with osiers1 which yield a certain yearly crop4 #d4 ,the feed of the pond when laid dry1 or the corn1 that is1 oats1 which you may have upon the bottom1 though mere mud1 is very considerable4 ,this hath been touched before4 #e4 ,you will invite all manner of help to your fishing1 by the fry given among those who assist you2 and though you pay them1 they will expect fish2 and with expectations of carrying home a dish of fresh fish1 men will work in wet and dirt1 to a wonder1 without other pay4 #f4 ,if you graze cattle near your great waters1 they will delight to come and stand in the water2 and it conduceth much to the thrift of your cattle1 as well as the feed of your fish1 which is much supplied by the dunging of the cattle2 and therefore it is good to have ponds in cow-pastures and grazing grounds4 ,as to the sowing of oats in the bottom of a pond1 observe to dry your great water once in three1 or at most four years1 and that at the end of ,january1 or beginning of ,march2 which1 if not a very unreasonable year1 will be time enough4 ,after ,michaelmas following1 you may put in a very great stock2 and thin them in following years1 as the feed will decline4 ,the ,conclusion4 ,thus ,i have given1 as short and intelligibly as conveniently ,i could1 the best of my knowledge1 contracted by twenty years practice and experience1 of fish and waters3 and if ,i am so happy thereby1 to contribute in the least to the satisfaction or diversion of my friends1 it will extremely content1 if not encourage me to add somewhat farther concerning the nature of the several sorts of fish ,i deal in1 the ways of taking them1 of nets1 angling1 engines for clearing waters1 and other particularities that ,i have proved4 ,in the mean time1 they may command these as myself1 both being alike open1 considerable1 and at their service4 ,,index4 ,the ,barbel ,page #e ,carp #g ,the ,chub #aa ,the ,cod ,fish #ac ,the ,haddock #ad ,the ,herring #af ,the ,mackarel #bj ,the ,mullet #ba ,the ,pearch1 or ,perch1 #bc ,the ,pike #bd ,the ,roach #be ,the ,shad #bf ,the ,tench #bh ,the ,trout #bi ,the ,whiting #ca ,a ,discourse of ,fish and ,fish ,ponds #cc ,of the ,situation and ,disposition of the ,principal ,waters #ce ,of the ,manner of making and raising ,pond ,heads #cc ,the ,dimensions of ,pond ,heads #cd ,of securing your ,banks #ce ,of ,sluices #cg ,of the ,manner of ,working to raise a ,pond ,head #ci ,of ,auxiliary ,waters #db ,of ,stews #dc ,of ,moats #de ,of other ,auxiliary ,waters #di ,the ,course of laying the great ,waters dry #ea ,of ,breeding of ,fish #ec ,the ,manner of ,stocking ,waters #ee ,of the ,manner of feeding ,fish #fj ,of disposing your ,increase of ,fish #fd ,of fishing for ,carriage #ff ,of ,nurseries to ,ponds and ,fish #fi ,of ,frosts1 and the ,way to save the ,fish in them ib4 ,of the ordinary ,benefits and ,improvements by ,fish #gc ,of ,benefits besides the main ,design #gf ,the ,conclusion #gh ,,finis4