May, 1913.] Control of Aquatic Resources. 139 



acre as a source of fertilizing material for the 3'ears to come. 

 This seems all the more desirable when it is remembered that 

 this basin must collect quantities of the finest and most fertile 

 parts of the soil washed from the higher ground. Moreover, I 

 hope to show that there is good reason to expect that the acre 

 can be made so productive over and above this function of con- 

 serving fertility that it will be worth more in Avater than it could 

 be as cultivated land. 



What is needed in the matter of utilization of our great tracts of marshy: 

 or swampy land is some such systematic study and the development of some 

 such adapted system as is in progress of development in the systems of 

 "dry farming" in the arid or semi-arid regions of the west — a system which 

 will intelligenth' conserve and utilize our heritage of water, not throw it 

 ignorantly away and reduce our uplands to a condition of sterility."* 



There are certain resources among the natural inhabitants of 

 aquatic areas, and a few of these may be enumerated to ad- 

 vantage. First perhaps in general recognition is the fish indtistry 

 which iti many localities is a qtiite important matter. In large 

 part, however, the fish industry is carried on without particular 

 regard to the methods by which the largest available crop could 

 be secured, and except as efforts are made to save and rear eggs 

 of certain species and to regulate the capture for certain seasons, 

 no systematic plan is in practice by which the crop may be regu- 

 larly grown and harvested, so as to provide for perpetuation. In 

 many localities, especially in swampy areas, the growing of frogs, 

 turtles, ducks, geese and musk-rats is sufficiently recognized to 

 indicate that these are all capable of a much greater cultivation, 

 and there can be no question that a systematic study of the means 

 of culture and adaption to the best localities would result in pro- 

 ductive crops. Aside from these there are several species of fin^- 

 bearing animals, especially the beaver, otter and mink, which in 

 wilder tracts might undoubtedly be grown with profit. In streams 

 and ponds where the native species of clams used to abound, there 

 unquestionably could be established a productive inditstry in the 

 growth of these animals for pearls, and as a basis for the button 

 industry. While not yet developed, there is, in all probability, 

 a great latent resource in the aquatic plants which might be used 

 for the inanufacture of paper. Some of the species that are native 

 here seem likely to furnish an excellent fibre, but if not, the in- 

 troduction of other species, especially the Japanese paper plant, 

 might establish a most important industry and serve to relieve 

 in part the drain upon the forest areas which are being consumed 

 in the manufacture of paper. Willows and other rapid growing 

 semi-aquatic trees might also be utilized in this direction, as well 

 as for their influence in checking the outflow of flood waters. 



*Osborn, Pop. Sci. Monthly, July, 1908, Vol. LXIII, p. 85-87. 



