Norwich bulletin., 1911-01-21

property will be put to use for the public good. It is to be known as the Connecticut ornithological experiment station, a branch of the Storrs agrf- cultural experiment station, under the Connecticut agricultural college.
 Here will be tried out all sorts of experiments relative to the value of wild birds to mankind. Among these will be researches as to the value Of birds to agriculture, fruit, and foliage; methods of the increase of useful birds and the methods of the artificial pro- pagation of game birds and wild fowl as a new industry and asset to the state, including a systematic effort to start landowners in propagating their own game and on a large scale restocking the depleted covers of the state. This would be done both desired, institute lectures and publi- cations. The latter would consist of syndicated press letters by the state ornithologist and by illustrated bulle- tins published by the state through the Storrs experiment. station. MT. Tilley, who will be assistant to the state or nithelogist, is one of the leading ex- ports on game propagation in this country, who has visited the principal game preserves of Europe and learned their successful systems.
 In Europe the propagation of game UlEQ6 duO WItQIOWl IS UOtu ble industry and a successful mode of stocking the country with wild game In this country is beginning a great awakening on this subject. In the west and elsewhere wild ducks are be- ing raised by thousands, both for the markets and to stock preserves. Pheasant raising is very profitable, and there is demand for them, un- dressed at s per pair. Various na- tive game birds are being experiment. ed with, and there is special demand for quail. Prof. c. F. Hodge first practically solved the problem of rear Ing them in captivity, and recently va moderate but encouraging success enough to show that it can be done on larger scale. A large number of people in Connecticut are eager to go into game propagation and are writ ing to the state ornithologist Vari- ous sportsmen's associations in the state are taking action to have these methods tried out Private game pre- serves, some of them of from one to two thousand acres. are being estab- lished in various parts of the state, where game is to be both preserved and propagated. The volume of and demand for this movement is some ching astonishing.
 This new work, though requiring but very small outlay, is yet with out any appropriation whatever for its maintenance, but the state agricultur- al college, realizing its value to the public and the demand for it, is hay ing it started. in faith that the legis- lature and the game commission will assist. The latter has an annual in como from the hunters licenses of over $15,00o, which, according to law, must be used only for the increase Of game. Most of this amount has hith- erto been spent for the purchase and liberation of Hungarian partridges and it is reasonable that some should be used now for the propagation of our. native game. The following organiza- - tions have already passed resolutions demanding this: The Bridgeport Fish and Game Protective association, the Connecticut Fish and Game Protec- tive association, the Norfolk Rod and Gun club. Even little aid and au- thorization from the commission at once would be of special value. for, un : less the breeding stock can be secured very soon, the coming season will be lost and the many eager inquirers must be put off for another year.
 An article is promised for next week by the state ornithologist giving in detail the proposed plans for experi- mentation and instruction of the pub lie in the propagation of game birds and wild fowl.