Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-04-07
LENTEN FISH STORY.
American Fisheries Valued at $780,
100000 Year.
Few Persons. Expert Anglers Includ-
ed, Can Tell the True Names of
the Denizens of Lakes and
Rivers.
Especial Washington letter.

TROM the depths of religious con-
temptation we must plunge into
the depths of the waters of river
son of Lent would be wholly incom-
plete without fish, which is to be
necessary article of diet until the COM
ing of Easter; when we may lay aside
our religious cloaks for awhile, and
enjoy ''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 agog
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 a good
time to make little study of pisci-
culture; to talk about fish, that
meager fare" of which the ballad
makes the abbot complain.
This is to be fshy tale; but all
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 well-known
newspaper man here, and he was also
an angler. One morning as Jesse was
lighting cigar in the hotel lobby.
the proprietor of the news stand told
him about big catch of fish at Cabin
| Johns bridge, whereat Sarvis smiled
and said: II don't believe it. 1 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 giant, and fine-looking
one, too. He asked Sarvis if he had
understood him Alright, when he stated
that he wouldn't believe preacher, if
he were to tell fish story. Sarvis
emphatically repeated his remark, and
was surprised when the big man re-
Piled: 81 don't blame you. I'm preach
er myself; and I've told some whoppers
in my day."
I'm not church-goer," said Sarvis,
"but I'd like to be member of your
congregation. I'd believe you in the
pulpit"
You would scarcely believe it like
ly, without previous reflection, but it
is true, that the last census showed
a valuation of upwards of $6O,oOo,oo0
in the fisheries of that year; and these
figures only in part represent the
catches for private and Immediate con
sumption; the uncanned, unrefriger
ated, unsaIted. Few realize the enor
nous extent of the fish product in the
food supply of this country.
For almost a score of years the fed
eral government has been arduously
laboring and patiently experimenting
in fish culture. The fish commission
has earned worldwide fame. And from
it, and fits examples. nearly every ter
ritory and. state has created sim
liar commission. Canada has also es-
tablished and n aintains fish commits.
sion of exceptio nal ability; and it now
seems very sure That in short time all
of the North Amarican continent viii
become the scene. o. extended scien
tific efforts toward stocking the wa
tiers, coast and inland, for the propa