Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-03-04
From the Vermont Aurora.
FISH.

Upon settling new country the ad-
vaniages which society derive are esti-
mated with much commentator and
certainly: and III etiec., they enlarge the
boundaries Of civilization and increase
the subsistence and numbers of mankind.
But VIVA, is acquired to human livell-
hood by cultivation is lost IN possession
TO the wild tenants of the woods. The
wilderness untouched by the Efforts OF in
dustry, and un,rod by the footsteps Of
man, IS their only secure and peaceful
dominion. A destruction OF many spe-
cies, and dmlnution OF those tina, re.
main, upon settling this or any Other
new country, are the mos, important facts
in The progressive history OF wild ami
mails. The jeer no longer ranges over
the rough and craggy tops OF our noun
tains, or browses upon the green verdure
OF our valleys. The moose has been OBJ
s,ructed In his pathway, and his lofty
mien is no longer seen in the covert OF
our forests. The hoarse terrific howlng
OF the wolf has ceased; and that mos,
ingenious, harmless and Industrious ami
NAL, the beaver, has been ex,lrpated
the fraternity Of his race are separated
and the works OF their united and social
intercourse Frustrated in the success Of
our Improvements. But these are in
considerable in comparison with the
plumbers and variety OF smaller quadru-
peds, reptiles, fishes and insects, tina,
have shared the hard fate OF extirmina-
ton. The rivers and streams which wa
tered this state we're formerly stored
with an abundance OF fish: The babhiios
brook was darkcned with clouds OF speck-
led trout, and The delicate salmon resort
ed in numbers to the rivers; but the
places Of their resort and protection are
swept away by the changing channels of
the streams, so that the size and number
OF the former are too diminutve Tor no.
tice, and the latter have entirely desert
ed our waters.
The propriety of preserving the fish
in the waters Of this state has been dis
cussed, and laws have passed +he legls-
lature prehlbitIng the taking OF FISH from
the same in certain seasons of the year
The design of these acts is to give these
aquatic inhabitants an opportunity TO mnl-
uply and grow for the accommodation OF
those who can participate in the plea
ourc and profit Of such bounty Win a
knowledge Of the nature and growth OF
certain fish which cannot ascend the falls
and rapids of our streams, a company as
socia,ed from several of the towns in this
and Rutland county, have pu, into Otter
creek a great number Of pieSeral and
o,ber fish which they had prev iously ia
ken Tor this purpose, and for the preser
walton OF these, until suitable season for
taking them, an act was passed by the
legislature in 1928, of the following ten
or: That no person should take, Kill, or
destroy any pickeral, otherwise than with
hook, after the first of December, with.
out mourning penalty OF from TWO to
ten dollars; and also, that no person
shall take, Kill, or destroy in Otter creek,
above Sunder!and's falls, or any streams
connected with it, any of the aforesaid
fish, until after the 10Th of June, 1927,
without mourning like penalty. In
consequence Of these Legislative provi-
sions, the Creek IS we'll stocked with
pickerel of large size and excellent
quality; some taken from the creek last
summer weighed more than fourteen
pounds. In a short time person can
take as many Of them as present use
would require. While much is acquir-
ed on the score of profit and comfortable
subsistence, there is no loss sustained on
that Of pleasure. A river passing
through a valley as fertile as Otter creek,
supplying the inhabitants Of its vicinity
with subsistence from its waters, is high
ly beneficial, and should the same mea-
sures be taken to supply the other
streams and ponds in this state with fish,
a similar result would be the conse-
quence, and that much to the advantage
and comfort Of the inhabitants.
In the autumn Of 1922, collected
four or FIVE clusters Of green balls from
the potatoe vines, and in the spring OF
1928, on the l4th Of April, l sowed the
seeds that obtained from them; the
bed in which l sowed them was prepar-
ed in a manner similar TO the one which
is usually prepared for sowing carrot or