The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-08-12

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 or ~lio-
cats, opossums, and skunks are trapped.
The Mississippi alligator, now rapidly disap-
pearing from the haunts of man, has found the
Oketinokee a 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 fish life, including
pickerel, largemouthed black bass and other
smaller bass. short-nosed CARS, club suckers, mud
fish (Amia), various species OF catfish, ana num-
erous killitishes. Among the recent discoveries
is a particularly daint! little fish, l.ncania ON
malta, which was previously known only from a
few specimens taken in Florida; it enjoys the
distinction of being one Of the very tinlest 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 Il veritable illustration Of the "curse of beau
ty"; for it is the ma snificent timber of the swamp
that furnishes it's commercial value and has in
vited destructive exploitation. There are two
major types of forest growth-the pine barrens
on the islands. and the cypress bays occupy
ing inundated pOrIOnS OF the swamp.
The so-called pine barrens are open forests OF
~long-leaf and slash pines, between whose straight
and lofty trunks one may look for a distance OF
a quarter Of a mile in almost any direction. The
low underground consists principally of saw pal
metto, together with a %profusion Of huckleberrles
and blueberries, which form an important ele-
ment in the food of many birds and mammals.
One may find on some of the Okefinokee islands,
where the "turpentiner' and the logger have not
vet penetrated, the southern pine forest in It's
finest glory.
In the bays" which cover a large portion OF
the swamp, the dominant growth is the pond
cypress. Probably nowhere else in the world
does it attain a heavier growth or finer proper
tions. 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 boys. and cypress ponds,
each with a charm of it's own.
For ten years past the very existence of the
Okefinokee, 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 Il
great mill near Waycross, has already removed
the heavy cypress timber in the northwestern
quarter Of the swamp north Of Billy's island. The
company's railroad, with many branches, now
extends to the very heart of the swamp between
Ruly's and Floyd's islands. Another company has
turpentined the magnificent pines on BillyS island
and the Pocket. Thus the area already devas-
tated probably comprises more than one hundred
square miles; and there is a constant menace OF
industrial encroachment from all sides of the
swamp.
Fortunately, the entire area In which the re-
moyal OF the timber either has been accomplished
or is being planned, comprises only about one
third of the swamp. This lies mainly In the north
western part, extending south to Honey island and
east to MINES lake; and also through the bay
northeast Of Billy's island to Floyd's island.
Floyd's island, In the eastern part of the swamp,
is the most diversified. and In some respects the
most interesting of the islands. The owners have
kept it as a sort Of game preserve, and It is evil
IDENTIFY in no immediate danger Of exploitation.
plans are already being considered for q definite
system of drainage operations. to be started after
The timber has been taken out, for the purpose
~ converting the swamp into land suitable for
agricultural purposes.
So it appears that II Okefinokee Is to be saved
/, must be sooE.
In 1889 the state of Georgia sold Okefnokee to
a numbering syndicate for 26h cents m acre.
The pity of it!