The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-08-26
N UMBER 3
LDU|s|ANA's RESOURCES,

| =
ways and Soils Sources Of Great
Natural Wealth - Conservation
Necessary to Fully Develop
These Great Public Assets,
PRESIDENT Frank NJ. Miller of The
Board of Commissioners for The Pro-
.ectlon of Birds, Game and Fish bas
issued the following message To tha
people of Louisiana concerning tha
!, natural resources of the state and
1he Importance of the conservation
work being carried on by the game
and fish commission:
Ine natural resources Of the state
OF Louisiana in the way of game fish.
oYsters, forests. waters, and soils
nave been SO great that MANY have
come to look upon them as an
'nexhaustible mine of wealth that
never could be depleted.
But In recent wears it has dawned
upon us that these resources are
2 great public asset which must be
carefully looked after, or in other
words they must be conserved.
OF the various sources of uney-
plotted wealth in our state. atten-
tion is called to our fisheries. AT
present, they exist in embryo and
vet no equal area for the propaga-
ton of fish is to be found in this
or any other country Uutold wealth
lies in our streams and only awaits
scientific development to unlock the
source of the wealth which would
willingly be given us by the markets
Of the world. "A fine beginning has
been made and we hope shortly to
have a black bass fish hatchery in
oDeration. 1t is no secret that the
federal government is anxious to be-
gin the propagation of commercial
fisheries in our waters, hut the lack
Of a strong public sentiment back
ing the efforts Of our board acts ad
Versely against the Inauguration of
this movement
In our oyster beds we have an
other source of great natural wealth.
We believe that the nresent trend
OF public opinion backing up the
Game and Fish Commission is aus
nicious for the greatest kind Of
development in that line, SO much
50, that the great markets Of the
west and north will soon be sup
piled by the luscious bivalves which
come 10 their ffinest flavor IN the
6RIlaas
| 600 acres of the fine st oy sgas BOT
toms in the world we can supply the
people Of the north and west with
our unrivalled product
In order to preserve the present
species of game birds inhabiting our
marshes, fields and streams, game
preserves have been set aside where
this fauna1 life may flourish and be
safeguarded for all time. Thanks to
| the munificence Of one Of our citi-
zens, aided by a gentleman of wealth
/ from another state, as we'll as by
enactment, we now boast
lof three great preserves where con-
servation work may be carried out to
Tits fullest development. We owe this
to ourselves as well as to posterity
and here we are giving a grand ac-
count of ourselves.
IN bringing the Importance of this
conservation work to the people Of
the state, ,one feature has been used
which has been eminently success
full, and that is the travelling ex-
hibit. which has been shown in many
parishes to the great delight of many
thousands of our people.
Every boy and girl In the state
should be made acquainted with the
vast natural resources within our ter
ritory SO that there may grow up
within them that keen delight in the
fatherland and that earnest belief
that here the beneficent hand Of
Providence has streWn untold wealth
for the seeking and asking.
One thing must be borne in mind
and that is that all this vast work
has been conducted without expense
| to the state. The Game and Fish
Commission is self supporting, not
a dollar being paid out Of the state
treasury for its maintenance. It's
officers and employees are paid from
the revenues derived from licenses
collected from those who get either
profit or enjoyment thereby.
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