NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL 

 PROPAGATION. 



m^NGLAND and the older countries of Europe long ago 

 p found it necessary to adopt means to preserve their 

 yd wild game and fish from total extinction. The 

 )u rapid increase of population and the spread of set- 

 tlements not only depopulated the forests and 

 streams, but denuded the land of its timber, so that eventu- 

 ally plans for restocking and reproduction became objects of 

 most serious consideration and earnest practical application 

 on the part of scientific and thoughtful men. Judicious 

 legislation, combined with the active cooperation of landed 

 proprietors and sportsmen, have secured results exceeding 

 the anticipations of the most sanguine, results remarkable 

 for the ease with which they were accomplished, and re- 

 munerative in every instance. At present nearly every king- 

 dom, state, and province has its game. Zoological gardens, 

 acclimating societies, public and private parks, fish works, 

 and all manner of associations for breeding and preserving 

 game and fish, are found all over the Continenl Indeed, the 

 whole subject has attained so great importance that statistics 

 bearing thereupon are eagerly sought aiui collected by the 

 British Foreign Office, through its legations, wherever they 

 exist. Considered in its length and breadth, it involves the 

 prosperity of communities to a degree that is not dreamed of 



