THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 27 



In this country the cutting down of timber, the draining of the 

 land, and the establishment of new industries have no doubt greatly 

 increased the value of the soil, but have also influenced the decline 

 in the productiveness of the water. 



This is a matter of serious importance, and one which is already 

 claiming the attention of intelligent journalists who see the necessity 

 of fighting the evil ere the remedy is beyond our reach. In fact, the 

 fish industry of the country is one of national interest, and was, not 

 many years ago, the cause of diplomatic difficulty between England 

 and the United States, putting the latter to the expense of millions of 

 money before the matter was satisfactorily adjusted. In view of these 

 facts it will not be long before the necessity of cultivating fish for the 

 market will make ifBelf felt, just as it is in Europe to-day. 



The consumption of food-fish, of course, increases with the 

 increase of population, while on the other hand, for reasons given, 

 the supply is rapidly decreasing in quantity and quality. Besides the 

 creeks and rivers are now becoming the sewers into which the wash- 

 ings and dirt of the nation are poured, and the gradual destruction 

 of our fish is consequently taking place right under our eyes. 



In the author's opinion, the decrease of our fish is not so much 

 due to the use of small mesh seines, as many pretend, as it is to the 

 increased demand for fish as food. The destruction caused by a few 

 careless fishermen is^ more than counter-balanced by turtle-hunters 

 and snake-killing boys, the one making it a business, the other 

 engaging in it for sake of the sport, who between them catch and 

 kill a multitude of these voracious enemies of the fish, which, in 

 the water all the time, manage to destroy untold numbers of fish. 



The oft-repeated remark, "in former years this river used to be 

 alive with fish," is very well in its way, and is, moreover, true; but 

 it must not be forgotten that in former years there were not so many 

 people requiring them for food; 



