A review of recent European literature on pond fertilization is offered as a foundation for certain phases of American pond‐cultural technique. The fertilizing substances, lime, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon, are discussed individually in the light of their usefulness in increasing fish yields and with regard to the important mechanisms through which they are able to effect these increases. European techniques in the employment of fertilizer are described where these are different from corresponding American procedures. In addition, an attempt has been made to integrate divergent aspects of the subject through a consideration of certain fundamentals of trophic metabolism in ponds, the function of pond soils as conservators of nutrients, and microbiological processes relating to the theory of fertilization. A synopsis of the history of pond fertilization in central Europe and a general criticism of research methods are included.