330 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



NATIONAL AND STATE PROTK<TI<.\. 



The concluding inquiry, as to whether State protection of the beds is desirable or 

 necessary, is answered with more or less detiniteness in 73 papers, and, as might be 

 expected <m such a subject, with much diversity; 46 of the responses see no need or 

 advantage from protection and 23 favor it. One or two fail to understand tin- 

 purpose of the question clearly, and some hold that while not necessary now it may 

 be so iu the future. Two or three say that it would be difficult or impracticable. Of 

 those that do not favor protection two (Michigan and New York) think it not desirable 

 to preserve the Unios, the latter curiously remarking, "The water would be purer 

 without them/ 7 And one Tennessee fisherman seems to hold a similar view, saying 

 that protection is not desirable, though it is necessary to the preservation of the shells. 

 Another Tennessee pearler, failing to appreciate the question involved, opposes pro- 

 tection, " because pearls bring in a great deal of money, and the mussels are of no use." 

 Two or three think that the shells are inexhaustible and in no danger of extinction. 

 Of those that favor the suggestion, an Indiana pearler says it would be well if no shells 

 were taken for five years. The Ohio paper advocates it "if the mussels are to be 

 preserved." A Tennessee paper alludes to the value of the shells for pearl buttons as 

 a reason for protection, and two other Tennessee papers advocate a limitation as to 

 not opening young shells. 



The whole question is curiously suggestive of the similar conditions in respect to 

 forestry and lumbering the apparently inexhaustible natural supply; the reckless 

 prodigality and waste of such resources by man; the rapid diminution and impending 

 extinction, which it would require years of labor to restore; the foresight and remon- 

 strance of the few, and the indifference or opposition of the many, as to any limitation 

 or protection designed to preserve the natural resources; and the ease with which 

 they could be preserved by a few simple and intelligent modes of management, once 

 established and made familiar to the people; and the pressing importance of some 

 such action. 



APPROXIMATE YIELDS OF PEARLS. 



( )nly a few approximate figures can be given. The total production of pearls may 

 be summed up as follows: In the 185<J excitement $50,000, worth to day at least f mi- 

 times that amount: in the. 1S(>8 excitement $50,000 worth; in the 18S!> Wisconsin 

 excitement perhaps $300,000 worth; the Tennessee fisheries $100,000; Kentucky 

 $20,000; Texas $20,000; Arkansas produced single pearls in the past year of a total 

 value of 35,000, some selling for over * 1 ,000 apiece, and many for over $100 and $200. 



The meat importance to a rural population of obtaining ready money easily 

 by pearling can not be overestimated, the pearlers being aided in the payment of 

 taxes, interest, and for such things as only money will buy; and the protection of the 

 pearling interests i>. then-lore, very desirable, as the industry, if properly regulated, 

 yields a product which can always lie M>ld for cash. 



NK\V Y<KK CITY, 



