The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-08-12
Cz1ER H1vzzz2

eral laws is killed in considerable numbers; some
have been sold in recent years at the rate OF
three for a dollar. Wild turkeys are now much
scarcer than formerly, but their numbers might
be restored by proper protection. Bobwhites are
still common.
Trapping Is extensively practiced. Great num-
bers Of raccoons and several dozens Of offers
are taken every winter. Smaller numbers Of wild.
cats, opossums and skunks are trapped.
The Mississippi alligator, now rapidly disap-
pearing from the haunts Of man, has found the
Okehnokee goodly place in which to survive.
For the student Of herpetology the region holds
a vast and fascinating store Of riches.
The swamp waters abound In fsh nfe including
pickerel. large-mouthed black bass and other
smaller bass, short-nosed gars club suckers. mud
fish (An1a), various species Of catfish, and num-
erous killihshes. Among the recent discoveries
is particularly dainty little fsh, Lucana om-
mata which was previously known only from q
few specimens taken In Florida: 1t enjoys the
distinction Of being Of the very tiniest Of ex
listing vertebrates.
The wonderfully rich and diverse plant life
of the Okefinokee constitutes one of its greatest
charms and beauties. And herein one may per
ceive veritabe illustration Of the Course Of beau
ty"; for 1t is the magnificent timber Of the swamp
that furnishes its commercial value and has In
vited destructive exploitation. There are two
major types of forest growth-the pine barrens
the Islands, and the cypress bays occupy
ing Inundated portions Of the swamp.
The so-called pine barrens open forests Of
long-leaf and slash pines, between whose straight
and lofty trunks one may look for . distance of
quarter of a mile In almost any direction The
low underground consists principally Of saw pal
metto together with profusion of huckleberries
and bueberries, which form important ele-
ment in the food of many birds and mammals
One may find some of the Okefinokee islands.
where the .turpentner" and the logger have not
yet penetrated the southern pine forest in Its
finest glory.
In the "bays." which cover large portion Of
the swamp the dominant growth Is the pond
cypress. Probably nowhere else in the world
does it attain heavier growth or finer proper
tons Other trees In this habitat are the black
gum red bay white bay, sweet bay, and red ma
pie.
There are a number of other distinct types OF
vegetation in the swamp including hammocks
sand scrub" sphagnous bogs, and cypress ponds.
each with charm of its own
For ten years past the very existence Of the
Okefnokee in any condition worth preserving
has been threatened by rapidly extending CONNER
cial operations until matters have now reached
an acute stage. One lumber company, with
great mill near Waycross has already removed
the heavy cypress timber in the northwestern
quarter of the swamp north of Biily's island. The
company's railroad, with many branches, now
extends to the very heart of the swamp between
Bi,lv's and Floyd's islands Another company has
turpentined the magnificent pines on Billy's Island
and the Pocket. Thus the area already devas-
tated probably comprises more tnan one nunoreo
souare miles and there is constant menace OF
industrial encroachment from all sides OF the
swamp.
Fortunately the entire area in which the re-
,noral of the timber either has been accomplished
ar Is being planned, comprises only about one
third Of the swamp. This lies mainly in the north
western part extending south to Honey island ana
east to Minne's lake. and also through the bay
uortheast of Billy's island 10 bioyus 1siano
Floyd's island, in the eastern part of the swamp
is the most diversified, and in some respects the
nos. ,ntresting of the islands. The owners have
lant n as a sort of game preserve, and 1t is evil
dentlv In no immediate danger OF exploitation.
plans are already being considered for dehnite
vsteu of drainage operations, to be started after
,Sa ,,nher has been taken out for the purpose
of converting the swamp INTO iand sui'ap'e ior
agricultural purposes.
So II appears that If Okefnokee is to be saved
II must be soon
In 1850 the state of Georgia sold okefnokee TO
lumbering syndicate for 261a cints an acre.
The pity of II