Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-01-13
GAME COMMISSION GETS
$4,000 IN LICENSE FEES;
ASKS FOR GREATER POWERS

In accomplishing this work the
board has had to depend entirely upon
the wardens, for, while il has received
and appreciated the support of scme
of the peace. prosecuting and judicial
officers Of the State, many of these Of
ficials apparently are not alive TO
their responsibilities and duties i'm
this respect This is particularly true
Of the cOnstables With but few ex-
ceptiOns they have entirely neglected
this part of their duties.
Buy Came Preserve.
On January first, of this year. tho
board purchased in the name of the
state as provided by law. $50 acres
Of land and began the work of propa
cation. This State Farm IS situated
in an ideal location, eight miles east
of Laurel, Sussex county It con
tains fine cover for birds and game.
and an old water course which has
been converted into a large pond.
This pond has been stocked with fish
and is an admirable site for a fish
hatchery. Much of the land has been
improved and cultivated. and. If the
methods of farming inaugurated are
pursued. viii rapidly increase in
value. The officials of the State Farm
at Newark have been invited to use
this farm for experimental purposes,
and the same invitation is extended to
the three agricultural county agents
of the Federal Government. Needed
repairs and additions have been made
TO the farm buildings and the farm
stocked with the necessary animals
and implements AS superintendent
of the farme the board has secured
the services of Thomas Rae.
Scotsman. who comes from "A family
OF the farm the board has secured
past Mr. Rae has been assistant to
the superintendent of the New Jer
sey Game Farm. one of the most sue
cessful State Farms i'm existence. ana
comes to us most highly recommend
cd
Raising Much Game.
As beginning the board is devot-
ing its efforts to the propagation OF
hinG-neck DheasantB. our native
quail, and wild water fowl Many large
pens and Enclosures have been con
stfucted and stocked with tho birds
needed for breeding purposes and tho
farm Will soon be in shape to carry on
the work on large scale. Sixty wild
water fowls Of various species have
been installed on the pond, an album
dant supply Of quail procured and
over three hundred pheasants piaced
IN the pens. Owing TO the short TIM
the farm has been in operation ana
the magnitude Of the work required
in preparation, the board deemed il
ire part of wisdom TO first securely
Jay the foundations for an increasing
production during future breeding
seasons.
In the construction work on the
farm notable economy was prac-
iiced by employing the wardens and
their hearty cooperation was of much
service and highly appreciated.
Inc board desires to express its
thanks to Mr. Alfred /. dupont. of
Wilmington, Mr. Edward Marshall of
Loves and The American Game Pro
tective and Propagating Association
Tor gifts Of birds for stocking the
State Farm.
During the past year more than
thirty OF our streams and ponds have
been stocked with fish and plans have
been made TO continue this work. but
II is almost impossible to procure
sufficient quantities Of fish fry.
Fish constitute one of the princi-
pal resources of Delaware. Our waters
naturally abounded with and are
] adapted TO many valuable species.
and can be made to yield annually
many millions of dollars worth of
cheap and delicious food and furnish
/ the best Of sport and recreation to
our citizens and visitors. but some
OF the most valuable species. notably
! the sturgeon, are now nearly EXTERN
mated and others are in grave danger.
Our fish laws are very complex. a
( different rule applying to nearly every
body Of water in the State. and many
or them are inadequate The enforce
ment OF some of the laws relating
TO hshing in the Delaware Bay and
our Atlantic Ocean coast line is in
other hands and the funds arising from
same are not available for the work
OF this department. Also the State
has provided no means to enforce the
laws regulating the taking Of Men
haden and other deep sea fisheries.
Under the present system an expen-
sive but inadequate oyster patrol
service assisted by an oyster police
man and FISH policeman. is maintain
ed. This service is VIGOROUSLY in
efficient and being under control OF
the political party dominant at the
time the offices have become mere
political sinecuros.
Your board must maintain one OF
more small but fast and powerful
boats to patrol our shores and pro.
tect our fish and waterfowl and th,
State warden force. with one expen.
diture, can adequately enforce the
q oyster laws as we'll as the game ant
, fish laws with an efficiency never
! heretofore known.
ASK Control Over Oysters.
! Under the present system OF di
vided responsibilities II is not pos
sible TO protect our fish industries
= We believe that the most practical
economical and efficient method fol
adequately protecting our large shell
fish industry and our deep-water fish
cries, as well as our birds and game
is to combine the work under the con
troll of one department This would
D surely be an economy of effort an,
funds A non-polltical board of fish
. oysters and game. centralized at tn
State capitol. reaching out. not onl,
D over the land. but over the water al
r well, through one State warden force
can assure to our fishermen, oyster
u men and sportsmen. a fuller measur
y of protection than they have hereto
5 fore enjoyed and to the State
h greater revenue.
y Many Of our citizens are not AWAKE
D. IN tho iunorfanco Of o~teraf,,,. Al