The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-09-03

eraI laws is killed in considerable numbers; some
have been sold in recent years at the rate VI
three for dollar. Wild turkeys are no" uu.i'
scarcer than formerly, but their numbers mlgh'
be restored by proper protection Bobwhtes "i0
still common.
Trapping is extensively practiced. Great mum
bers of raccoOns and several dozens OF QUE"
are taken every winter Smaller numbers Oh VIII
cats opossums and skunks are trapped.
The Mississippi alligator, now rapidly disap-
nearing from the haunts Of man, has found the
Okefinokee a goodly place in which TO SURVIVE
For the student of herpetology the region nous
q vast and fascinating store of riches.
The swamp waters abound In fish life, including
pickerel large-mouthed black bass and other
smaller bass short-noSed gars, club suckers lhuo-
fish (Amia), various species of catfish, and num-
erols killifishes. Among the recent discoveries
is particularly dainty little fish, Lucania ohi-
mata, which was previously known only from
few specimens taken in Florida; it enjoys the
distinction of being one Of the very unlest VI ca
listing yertebrates. -
The wonderfully rich and diverse plant lie
of the OkefinOkee constitutes one OF It's greatest
charms and beauties. And herein one may per-
ceive yeritable illustration of the Course OF Deau
ty"; fer it 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
ON the islands, and the cypress bays occupy
ing inundated portions Of the swamp.
The so-called pine barrens are open forests Of
long-leaf and slash pines. between whose stralght
and lofty trunks one may look for a distance Oh
a quarter of a mile in almost any direction The
low underground consists principally OF saw PAL
metto together with a profuson of huckleberries
and blueberries, which form important ele-
ment in the food Of many birds and mammals.
One NAV find on some of the Okehnokee lsiands'
where the "turpentiner" and the logger nave not
vet penetrated, the southern pine forest IN us
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 worid
docs If attain a heavier growth or finer proper
lions Other trees in this habitat are the DlacK
gum red bay, white bay, sweet bay, ana :ed ma
pie. 1885,. -.
vegetation In the swamp, including hammocks,
"sand scrub" sphagnous bogs and cypress ponds'
each with a charm OF Its own.
For ten years past the very existence OF the
okoRnokee in any condition worth preserving,
has been threatened by rapidly extending CONNER
Gin, operations until matters have now reached
an acute stage. One lumber company, with q
oreat mill near Waycross, has already removed
tho heavy cypress timber In the northwestern
quarter Of the swamp north OF Biily's Island. Inc
cOmnany'S f6llTOdu, Will many cAAA'Ni-SS' NAO''
extends to the very heart OF the swamp between
Ri,,v's and Floyd's islands. Another company mas
turnentined the magnificent pines on Billy's island
ord the Pocket Thus the area already devas
totad probably comprises more than one hundred
souara miles: and there is constant menace OF
Industrial encroachment from all sides OF the
swamp.
fortunately, the entire area in which the re
r,oval If the timber either has been accomplished
or "a being planned, comprises only about one
third Of the swamp. This lies mainly in the north
western part, extending south to Honey island ant
cost To MINES lake; and also through the bay
,ortheast of Billys island to- Floyds island
rlovds island, in the eastern part OF the swamp
:, tha most diversified, and in some respects thu
-. INTERESTING of the islands. The owners have
,.ant II as sort of game preserve. and it Is evi
sort,v IN no immediate danger of exploitation
plans are already being considered for a definite
svstam Of drainage operations. to be started afte
-. ,,nbor has been taken out, for the purpOs
- converting the swamp into land suitable TO
agricultural purposes
So II appears that If Okefnokee is to be save
It must be soon.
In 1890 the state of Georgia sold Okefnokee I
numbering syndicate for 26h cents an acre
The pity OF It'll