28 With Rod and Gun in New England 



is to be seen on every side. He has in many localities destroyed the 

 forests, even those which covered the tops of hills and mountains, — agents 

 that Nature provided to secure a proper rainfall for the valleys and plains, — 

 and the result is the water supply has gradually diminished, until the plains 

 which were before fertile, have become arid, unproductive wastes. 



" Within the memory of all of us, the western prairies were covered 

 with immense herds of bison, improperly called 'buffalo.' So numerous 

 were they that their herds sometimes extended for many miles : their four- 

 footed enemies had no perceptible effect upon their numbers, and even the 

 Indians who killed them by thousands for food in their great annual hunts, 

 could not exterminate them or even reduce them beyond their natural 

 increase. But civilized man advanced toward them ; a new enemy armed 

 with a most destructive weapon attacked them, and in an incredibly short 

 time they were extirpated, or practically so, there being but a few left in the 

 Yellowstone Park and in private preserves, where they are alive now only 

 because they are under protection. You see the conditions of Nature were 

 changed in all these examples, and disaster has resulted." 



" Nature's methods then, in your opinion, Doctor, are perfect, and 

 cannot be improved upon." 



" We cannot do without them, although we can undoubtedly obtain 

 better results than she has given us ; take, for example, the artificial prop- 

 agation of the salmon. These fish, as you very well know, leave the 

 ocean and ascend fresh-water rivers for the purpose of reproduction. 

 When the proper time comes in the autumn they prepare spawning beds, 

 and the eggs are dropped among the small pebbles and stones in the cold 

 running stream, and are fertilized by the milt flowing upon them in the 

 water through which it has been diffused. In this way probably not over 

 five per cent, of the eggs become fry, the others are wasted. Now we can 

 greatly improve on these results. We can take the spawn and milt from 

 the fish, mix them together in a pan, and fertilize and probably hatch in 

 properly constructed tanks of running water about every perfect egg. In 

 doing all this we simply modify Nature's conditions, but do not abandon 

 one of them, for we cannot possibly obtain the fry without fertilizing the 

 ova with the milt, and we cannot hatch them in any but cold, clear run- 

 ning water, just as Nature does." 



'• Speaking of the extirpation of the bison," said the Judge, after a 

 short pause, " it seems to me that, with the tremendous increase of hunters 

 and the wonderful improvements which have been made in firearms, that 

 splendid animal, the moose, is likely soon to pass away. I have never 

 killed one and have no desire to. I should refuse to take the life of such 

 a magnificent beast ; but, unfortunately, there are few of my mind. I 

 suppose, Doctor, you have had your experience in moose hunting." 



