The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-01

country, and capital flows in to reap the
fruits. Some day it may be that the
pen OF some able writer-let us hope it
may be Montanian-will do for Mon
tana what Sir Walter Scott did for his
native land by his descriptions of the
Highlands. II that should be the case,
tour in the states would be incomplete
without visit to the park, and Mon
tana will harvest rich reward.
The Secretary's report is decidedly en-
couraging. Thanks to tho vigilance Of
the force in charge and the instructions
issued to tourists, no forest fire this
season can be laid to the charge Of visi-
tors. That is decided improvement.
VI the seventy fires Of the previous sea-
son, many were the result of the
grossest carelessness, and entailed not
only severe labor on tho part Of the
soldiers, but destruction OF one of the
chief natural beauties of the park.
Animals thrive and increase. There is
no doubt of the fact, though few are
seen by tourists during the
park season. The deer are driven
to the highest elevations by the flies,
and it is tho nature of the buffalo and
the elk to seek the Businesses OF the
mountains, where they may roam I'M
disturbed by human travel In this
connection tho superintendent has a
wise suggestion to offer. For the bene.
fit Of the naturalist, he proposes to fence
IN band of elk at Sylvan Lake and a
herd Of buffalo at Hayden valley. While
bear and pumas are profiting by a pro-
lection not primarily intended for them,
and while they may cause some loss
amongst the young Of other animals, the
secretary does not believe that their
ravages are at present SO extensive us to
necessitate Interference He fears to
insert the thin end Of the wedge by al
lowing hunting of any kind to go on in
the national preserve. II the necessity
becomes pressing, he is Of opinion that
the duty may safely be entrusted to the
military force stationed in the park.
The waters of the park are being rap
idly stocked under the directions of the
fish commission, and within three years,
it is confidently expected, the angler
will be able to ply his line everywhere
with success The subject of worm
infested trout is touched upon, and an
ingenious speculation advanced by Prof.
Edwin Linton. Personal investigation
of the diseased fish led him to the con-
clusion that the larva was on-sexual,
and that it could only be called into ex-
istence by the Intervention and assist
ance of some other animal. Further re-
search proved that the stomach OF the
pelican contained intestinal parasites,
sexually mature, Of the same genus as
the immature form occurring in the
trout. On the incomplete evidence be-
fore him, however, he hesitates to fasten
upon the pelican as the real culprit, and
the secretary points out that the de-
struction Of the bird would probably be
moro difficult than the humiliation OF
the diseased fish.
Sixteen miles of new road were con
structed last year. Transportation was
not entirely satisfactory, and investiga
ton is to be made. Some of the hotels
are not all they ought to be, and The
association has been notified that i'm
provements must be made or contracts
forfeited. The elevator in the canyon
has been prohibited. Altogether. Their,
is evidence of wise judgment and sue
cessful management in the affairs Of tn
park, and the people Of Montana ar
ready to express their thanks and tn
hope that the good work will 60 on an,
| prosper.