The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-05-29
LENTEN FISH STORY.
American Fisheries Valued at $6o,-
100000 a Year.
Few Persons, Expert Anglers lnclud-
ed, Can Tell the True Names OK
the Denfxens of Lakes and
Rivers.
Especial Washington letter.


HROM the depths of religious con-
temptation we must plunge into
the depths of the waters OF river
and sea; because the penitential sea-
son of Lent would be wholly lncom-
plete without fish, which is to be
necessary article of diet until the COM
ing of Easter; when we may lay asloe
our religious cloaks for awhile, and
enjoy 1.-The vain pomp and glory OF
this wicked world" again.
Although we have not the congress
on our hands at this time, the execu-
tive branch of the government Is al
ways with us, and society is all ago6
with its religious duties and the keep
ing up of appearances for the season.
Somber gowns and more somber hats
are worn, while the gay gewgaws
which milliner and dressmaker are
making are kept from view. We must
keep up appearances, even with our
grocer and green grocer. Therefore,
we must have eggs and fish galore on
our order books. And this is good
time to make a little study of piscl-
culture; to talk about fish, that
meager fare" of which the ballad
makes the abbot complain.
This is to be fishy tale; but all
fish have tails. We are not going TO
pretend to be learned, and give marvel
Gus stories of experiences with rod
and reel-only one fish story. Jesse
Sarvis was for 80 years a well-known
newspaper man here, and he was also
an angler. One morning as Jesse was
cigar in the hotel lobby,
the proprietor of the news stand told
him about a big catch of fish at Cabin
Johns bridge, whereat Sarvis smiled
and said: Il don't believe it. don't
believe any fish stories. wouldn't be-
lieve fish story if preacher were
to tell it."
Standing near by, also lighting
cigar, was a giant, and a fine-looking |
one, too. He asked Sarvis if he had |
him Alright, when he stated
that he wouldn't believe a preacher, if
he were~to tell fish story. Sarvis
repeated his remark, and
was surprised when the big man re-
piled: Il don't blame you. I'm a preach
er myself; and I've told some whoppers
n my day."
I'm not church-goer," said Sarvis,
but I'd like to be a member of your
I'd believe you in the
pulpit"
You would scarcely believe it like
y, without previous reflection, but it
S true, that the last census showed
/ valuation of upwards of 100000, 900
n the fisheries of that year; and these
lgures only in part represent the
,atches for private and immediate con-
the uncanned, unrefriger-
tied, unsalted. Few realize the enor-
nous extent of the fish product in the
God supply of this country.
For almost score of years the fed
raj government has been arduously
aboring and patiently experimenting ,
n fish culture. The fish commission ,
as earned worldwide fame. And from
!, and its examples, nearly every ter .
TORY and state has created a sim =,
ar commission. Canada has also es- .
ablished and maintains a fish commits
ion of exceptional ability; and it now ,
GEMS very sure tina. in short time all
t the North American continent will
ecome the scene Of extended scier-
lfic efforts toward stocking the wa
ers, coast and inland, for the propa-