The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-09-26
gillsburuugb Gsrarnsr.
PROTECTION OF GAME and
FISH

We are CAD to see this subject occupying
the attention II the Press. The Raleigh
Ne,rs lately contributed valuable article
DC the subject, aud that Journal in the issue
Of tie 18Th quotes an article from the Hem
derson Ne,c Era, showing that the guess
lion il gaining wide appreciation.
Really, there isno subject more truly de-
serving the intelligent attention Of the
broadest craftsmanship. Ii il not guess
ton affecting merely the faneies or the pri-
viicges Of sportsmen; il strikes deep into
tho matter Of Subsistence, aud certainly no
problem il more worthy 10 engage the at
tcntion Of statesmen than those things upon
which popular comfort, contentment and
prosperity depend. The subject Of food is
the primary one with the human race. 1t
is the first. the all continuing, and tho last
demand Of heaithful existence. Life owes
most Of its happiness to the cheapncss. the
abundance anl the variety Of ailments.
Aud nature is no niggard in its bounty. In
their primitive condition, almost all lands
teen with birds and beasts in endless yarie-
IN, aud the waters swarm with fish in such
abundance as Of themselves to determine
the course Of settlements, and the growth
If populations.
No region was ever so signally rich in its
stores Of game and in its supplies Of 6sb as
that now known US the United States was at
the time it began to & up with the white
race.
A savage people had depended almost
solely upon these for their subsistence, and
for some genera.io.s. the whites supple
mented the products Of civilized labors by
supplies drawn from the liberal stores Of
nature. But as in all cases where abun-
dance seemed exhaustless. so in this /, rcck-
less prodigality Of consumption and care
les disregard to the plainest suggestions Of
prudence have produced the usual effect.
A country Jet in the infancy of empire as
compared with the states Of the old world ,
i already nearly exhausted Of its natural
supplies Of food. To most Of our people.
ihc larger wild animals are as strange as
ihos~ exhibited 10 the menageries. Birds
ami wild fowl have been swept off with
reckless greediness. and fish, once the com,
mon food Of all classes 10 all our streams
even to the very foot Of the mountains. now
only are found 10 diminished numbers 10
tas bays and sounds into which those
streams finally discharge themselves.
Our population has increased. and with
the maintenance Of peace, must continue to
scrcase. With this increase, demand. un,
der an memorable law, presses close upon
tho heels Of supply. Every source Of food
for man must be made tributary to his
wants. Higher culture, more skilful agri-
cultural appliances are needed for the cul.
fiyation Of the land. But even this effort
10 obtain more from the land by better til
lagc is baked by curse brought upon the
agriculturist b. bis oxn improyidence. lie
las waged war Of determination upon the
birds, who IL their turn bad wagcd wal
upon the insect enemy and now the crop:
ii many sections Of the country are yearly
jeopardized By scourge against which mai
/, is powerlers, but over which the birds were
supreme. Ii the South, this is especially
the case where every boy seems born With .
gun ia his hand. and who pops away
iLrough bis boyhood At every thing feather.
ed 10 season and out Of season. And to this
class has beer added since tie liberation u
the negro. every freedman who could pos
soss himself Of gun aud whose skill o.
whose proves finds fitting mark 10 eve
rything that has life 10 il. from sparrow
To- = sLoat. Aud another element bas Of
lite come into play here owing to the eE-
urpation Of game At tho North. Our fields
are swept Of their birds 70 supply the
Northern ePieure. and our people Is eager
II fall into ,he snare ofcupidty as the fool.
isl birds run into the nets spread for them
both Of them 70 60d destruction at the
eLd. For. the birds destroyed. the insects
raysgc without check.
As with the psrtridges. 30 with the wild
turkey. wild duck sud other birds; al q
them hunted and prosecuted 10 season and
out Of season until they too are rarities
The pheasant. once well known IN this part
Of the State. is extinct, 20 10 speak; VI
remember to have seen but two in Orang'
county. The song birds. those which pre-,