PLAN No. 398. RAISING GOLD FISH
Two women, living together, built in their yard a shallow pond of rocks, cemented together so as to hold water, surrounding this with a second row of rocks, not cemented, and filled the space between with earth, in which were set mosses and delicate plants, thus giving the pond a broad rim of dainty growing things.
Then they bought six goldfish—the pretty, dumpy sort, with long flowing tails—and placed them in the pond which was about two feet deep in the center. This was in the spring, and in the following August they noticed dozens of tiny young fish in the water. The next spring they sold one hundred of these for 25 cents each, keeping the rest for breeding purposes.
In the five years since starting the fishpond they have realized a neat sum from their aquarium. The fish require almost no care whatever, as the little fellows live on insects in the water, while the larger ones are given regular fish food, which can be bought cheaply at any bird or drug store.
At spawning time, anywhere from May to August, the water in the pond is not changed for fear of losing the young fish, but is replenished and aerated by spraying the surface frequently with the hose until the pond is full. Growing plants or a few tree branches placed in the pond afford a place upon which the fish may deposit their spawn, and the water should be kept as near the same level as possible, so the eggs will not be exposed and dry out, thus preventing them from hatching.