Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-09-09

GUS wrong which should be corrected. In
some sections, not only nets and traps were
employed, but those who would quietly Sc
cure a few messes have used fish berries and
dynamite to crafty their desires, thus de-
stroying the supply for miles along the
| streams.
1t is plain fact that our laws must be
re,enacted and protection secured for this
valuable interest. The next Legislature
will be asked to revise the laws. The State
and county officers can be specially directed
to guard them, and the formation of game
clubs will greatly aid the authorities, and
by their watchfulness prevent violation Of
them. The Commissioner has reported,
and will again report, upon the necessity,
and it is to be hoped his admonitions will
be needed.
1t is said the Virginia hatchery, at which
her interests in fish propagation are now
concentrated, for advantages and beauty
excels any in the world, and has won that
distinction after being viewed by scientists
and experts, who by observation and exam
ination are prepared to express an opinion.
1t is situated three miles West of Wythe.
vile, on the Norfolk and Western Railroad
with shipping accommodations at the place
Its establishment there has impaired To-
cal pride. The adjacent streams have been
literally stocked, and through them an an.
nually -increasing income is favoring the
people from the attractions they have fol
visitors fond of the sport of fishing. The
grounds comprise about twenty acres, Of
wales and gentle elevations and level sur
face. Native forest and ornamental growth
are interspersed, and the succession of pools
is beautiful beyond description. One OF
the magnificent springs which supplies wa
ter for them runs thirteen hundred and six
ty gallons per minute. 1t is charming
spot in that charming section of our famed
Southwest Maturing for the next distri-
button are the following kinds of the finny
tribe destined next spring for streams
through the State:-Brook, Rainbow, and
Lake Trout, Land locked Salmon and Carp,
and Red Perch. This latter is native
of the streams flowing to the Albemarle
Sound. For the streams in Augusta coun-
ty, we are to have Rainbow Trout, Land
locked Salmon, and the Red-eye Perch,
which will be freely distributed in all
the sources of the Shenandoah River. Last
spring our South River received liberal
supply of Land-locked Salmon and Tench
Trout.
The States of the North, particularly
New York, that have provided the means
of propagation, were not guilty of the folly
afterwards Of allowing the expenditure and
the time employed in establishing such a
valuable interest to go for nothing In ad
dition to the enormous food supply secured
to the Inhabitants, the streams have be-
come the sources Of attraction, and hither
thousands of people flock for the pleasures
Of fishing. At this time the Adirondacks
and other mountains of Northern New
York are overrun with visitors, seeking
the pleasures which the hook and line i'm
banks of the streams and sail upon the
many lakes that abound in that region. In
extent that country is not large, and really
appears small for the supposed estimate of
money which is there distributed by pleas
ure-seekers. The amount, it is coniectured,
will reach from twelve to fourteen millions
of dollars this season. And so this in
terest will annually continue and grow to
still greater proportions.
Wytheville, with her pretty, wide streets
and plateau situation-with her fine social
attractions and delightful abodes, with min
eral waters piped to the main avenue and
flowing freely for all-has become quite a
resort. We may say that hundreds of people
summer there on the Northern watershed
of streams flowing to the Gulf, from the
States bordering on which they mainly
come.
Among the many charming drives from
the town is the one to the hatchery grounds
These advantages are duly appreciated by
the cizens of that place, and the preserva-
ton of their fish, and the abundance in
which they abound in their streams, are so
much real capital in the pockets of the in
habitants who are engaged in taking care
Of their summer visitors.
Having hundreds of mineral springs in
our Piedmont, Valley, and Mountains, we
have advantages in that respect greater
than the .Adirondacks, or any other upland
resort without them. With the same care
of our streams and fish-supply which has
characterized other people, we can in time
attain to equal advantages of income with
them.
1t was said by learned, and the best-in-
formed man who ever employed his thoughts
and pen in behalf of this interest for Virgin
ia, that the capabilities of her streams, un-
der careful regulations in providing food,
and that so cheaply obtained, was greater
in value than the entire pork product of the
State.
Some years ago, Colonel Marshall Melon
aid, then the Professor of Geology at the
Virginia Military Institute, was appointed
Fish Commissioner for the State He be-
came at once valuable to this great interest;
so much SO that Professor Baird, the United
States Fish Commissioner, called him to
larger service for the general government,
with the understanding that he should con-
tinue in charge of our State interests. Had
the Legislature continued the protecting
laws, as it should have done, the results
would have been far different. 1t is better
to try again, and conduct this great interest
to the success it deserves for the good of the
whole State. Some sections have greatly
improved fish-supply to what it once was,
but the benefit is not general, nor can it be
50, without restraining laws for its protec-
ton.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee will attend the agri-
cultural fair at Lynchburg, Va, October
4