Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-08-18

eral laws, is killed in considerable numbers; som
have been sold in recent years at the rate 6
three for a dollar Wild turkeys are now much
searcer than formerly, but their numbers might
be restored by proper protection. Bobwhites are
still common.
Trapping is extensively practced 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
Okefnokee a goodly place in which to survive.
For the student of herpetoOgy the region holds
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 mud
fish (Amia), various species of catfish, and num-
erous killifshes. Among the recent discoveries
is a particularly dainty little fish, Lucania ON
mata, which previously known only from
few specimens taken in Florida; it enjoys the
distinction of being of the very tinest of ex-
listing vertebrates.
The wonderfully rich and diverse plant life
of theA OkefnOkee constitutes one of its greatest
charms and beauties. And herein one may per-
ceve veritable Illustration of the course of beau
ty"; for 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 open forests Of
long-leaf and slash pines, between whose straight
and lofty trunks one may look for distance of
a quarter of mile in almost any direction The
low underground consists principally of saw pal
metto, together with profusion of huckleberres
and blueberries, which form important ele-
1nent in the food of many birds and mammals.
One may find on 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 a 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
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 bOgs and cypress ponds.
each with a charm of its 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 a
great mill near Waycross, has already removed
fhe 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
Bily's and Floyd's islands. Another company has
turpentined the magnlncent pines on bllIy lSlanu
and the Pocket Thus the area already devas-
tated probably comprises more than one hundred
SQUARE miles; and there is constant menace of
industrial encroachment from all sides of the
swamp.
Fortunately, the entire area in which the re-
moval 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 Mnnes lake; and also through the bay
northeast of Billys island to Floyds island
Floyd's island, in the eastern part of the swamp
is the most diversified, and in some respects the
most intresting of the islands. The owners have
kent it as a sort of game preserve, and it is ev
IDENTIFY in no immediate danger of exploitation.
Plans are already being considered for definite
system of drainage operations to be started after
the timber has been taken out, for the purpose
of converting the swamp into land suitable fol
agricultural purposes
So it appears that if Okefnokee Is to be saved
it must be soon.
In 1889 the state of Georgia sold Okefinokee te
n numbering syndicate for 261s cents an acre
The pity of it