Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1911-09-09
Leuisiana's Natural Re sources.

The NATURAL RESOURCES of the
State of Louisiana in the way of game,
fish, oysters, forests, waters, and soils
have been SO great that many have come
to look upon them as an inexhaustlble
mine of wealth that never could be de-
pleted
But in recent years. it has dawned
upon us that these resources are great
PUBLIC ASSET which must be care
fully look after, or in other words they
must be CONSERVED.
OF the various sources of uneXplolted
wealth in our state, attention is called TO
our FISHERIES. At present, they exist
in embryo and yet no equal area for the
propagation of fish is to be found in
tnis or any other country. Untold wealth
lies in our streams and only awaits scien-
iific development to unlock the sources of
the wealth which would willingly be
given US by the markets of the world.
\ fine beginning has been made and we
nope shortly to have black bass fish
hatchary in operation. 1t is no secret
that the FEDERAL GOVERNMENTi 1 is
anxious to begin the propagation OF con-
mercial fisheries in our waters, but the
lack of strong public sentiment backing
| the efforts of our Board acts adversely
against the inauguration of this move
| ment.
In our OYSTER BEDS, we have
another sources of great natural wealth.
We believe that the present trend of pub
lie opinion backing up the Game and
Fish Con, ,mission is auspicious for the
greatest kind of development in that
iue, so much so, that the great markets
of the West and North will soon be sup.
piled by the luscious bivalves which
come to their finest flavor in the waters
of the Gulf. Controlling 400, 900 acres of
the finest oyster bottoms in the world
we can supply the people of the North
the West with our unrivaled product.
In order to preserve the present spe-
cies of game. birds inhabiting our mar
shes, fields and streams, GAME PRE-
SERVES have been set aside where this
faunal life may flourish and be safeguard.
| ed for all time. Thanks to the muniti-
cence of one of our citizens aided by Il
| gentleman of wealth from another state,
as well as by legislative enactment. we
now boast of three great preserves where
conservation work may be carried out
to it's fullest development. We owe this
to ourselves as well as to posterity and
here we are giving a grand account OF
ourselves.
In bringing the Importance of this
conservation work to the people OF the
State, one feature has been used which
has been emiuently successful and that
Is the TRAVELLING EXHIBIT which
has been shown in ray 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 territory sc
that there may grow up within them
chat keen delight In the fatherland and
that earnest belief that here the bench
! cent hand of Providence has strewn un-
told wealth for 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. Inc Game and Fish Commis
sion is self supporting, not dollar be.
ing paid out of the state treasury for its
| maintenance. Its officers and employees
are paid from the revenues derived from
licenses collected from those who gel
either profit or enjoyment thereby.