No. 4.] THE HARVEST 6f THE SEA. 145 



fering at all with the food-fish industiy, and probalily helping 

 it, then this also should be protected and encouraged in the 

 interest of husl)andry. In short, any method that shall 

 increase the food supply of man and help to build up our 

 agriculture should be fostered by the oroyernment. 



Its Bearing ox the Eastern Farmer. 



For <the Eastern farmer this question of plant food is 

 becoming a serious one. We have drawn our principal sup- 

 plies from the great packing and slaughtering houses of the 

 West ; but the time is not far distant when every pound from 

 these sources will be used on the srreat wheat and corn fields 

 nearer home. When that time comes, and it will be here 

 very soon, the Middle and Eastern States farmer, as well as 

 the cotton-grower of the South, will be forced to pay much 

 higher prices for his plant food, unless he is allowed to draw 

 upon the inexhaustil)le stores in the sea. 



Hero is a crop that comes to our shores almost every sea- 

 son, if the weather is fayoral)le. It is a crop which should 

 1)6 harvested like a crop of corn or a crop of clover. It is 

 here to-day and gone to-morrow, perhaps to ])e eaten up l)y 

 predaceous animals and lost forever to man's uses. Like a 

 crop of clover, it must be taken at the right time, whenever and 

 ivherever it appears, while I believe no one will be harmed 

 and the world will be enriched to the extent of the harvest. 



AYe are urged by the scientists to grow clover as a conserva- 

 tor of nitrogen. Here is a crop of nitrogen right at our doors, 

 in the shape of fish which should be secured especially l)y 

 the Eastern farmer, who cannot afford, like his Western 

 brother, to plough in a crop of clover. 



God has put the fish into the sea for the benefit of man, 

 not for any class, but for all mankind. He has })laced these 

 treasures in the sea in great variety and luxuriance, the same 

 as he has placed in tlie mountahis and valleys other treasures 

 to be utilized and enjo^^ed by man. 



The Appointment of a Commission. 

 This is of such great importance that it should not be 

 allowed to drift ; and if we are undecided as to the l^est 

 course to pursue, let us appoint in this country, as was done 



