202 MAJOR JOHN F. LACEY 



people of the United States are awakening upon this ques- 

 tion at a much earlier period than did our kinfolk across 

 the sea. 



Now that anyone can put his dogs and gun into a bag- 

 gage car, and, taking a comfortable sleeping berth, reach 

 his hunting grounds five hundred miles away in a few 

 hours, his power of slaughter has become so great that 

 moderation and self-restraint become the test of a true 

 sportsman. 



The unlimited power to travel and kill should be also 

 bounded by the limitations of the law. The necessity for 

 protection increases as the powers of man to kill have in- 

 creased. With the bloody breech-loader, and abominable 

 automatic gun of the present day, exterminating is an 

 easy thing. In fact, with long-range, rapid-firing guns in 

 the hands of inexperienced hunters, it is dangerous alike 

 for man or beast to go into the woods in the open season 

 in Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Maine. 



It is to be hoped that the people of the Pacific Coast 

 will profit by the experience of their Atlantic ancestors 

 and not permit their salmon streams to become as barren 

 as the once prolific Connecticut now is. 



The forest reserves have had additions during the past 

 year of 22,854,978 acres, bringing up the grand total to 

 85,618,472 acres, exceeding the area of Iowa and Missouri 

 combined. 



Not the least important of the uses of this vast domain 

 should be to give shelter to a remnant of that wonderful 

 wild life that once filled this continent. 



