THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 69 
In this country the cutting down of timber, the draining of the. 
land, and the establishment of new industries have no doubt greatly 
increased the value of the soil, but have also influenced the decline 
in the productiveness of the water. 
This is a matter of serious importance, and one which is already 
claiming the attention of intelligent journalists who see the necessity 
of fighting the evil ere the remedy is beyond our reach. In fact, the 
fish industry of the country is one of national interest, and was, not 
many years ago, the cause of diplomatic difficulty between England 
and the United States, putting the latter to the expense of millions of 
_ money before the matter was satisfactorily adjusted. In view of these 
facts it will not be long before the necessity of cultivating fish for the 
market will make itself felt, just as it is in Europe to-day. 
The consumption of food-fish, of course, increases with the 
increase of population, while on the other hand, for reasons given, 
the supply is rapidly decreasing in quantity and quality. Besides the 
creeks and rivers are now becoming the sewers into which the wash- 
ings and dirt of the nation are poured, and the gradual destruction 
of our fish is consequently taking place right under our eyes. 
In the author’s opinion, the decrease of our fish is not so much 
due to the use of small mesh seines, as many pretend, as it is to the 
increased demand for fish as food. The destruction caused by a few 
careless fishermen is more than counter-balanced by turtle-hunters 
and snake-killing boys, the one making it a business, the other 
engaging in it for sake of the sport, who between them catch and 
kill a multitude of these voracious enemies of the fish, which, in 
the water all the time, manage to destroy untold numbers of fish. 
The oft-repeated remark, ‘‘in former years this river used to be 
alive with fish,” is very well in’ its way, and is, moreover, true; but 
it must not be forgotten that in former years there were not so many 
people requiring them for food. 
