138 
The Ohio Naturalist. 
[Vol. XIII, No. 7 , 
drainage combined where possible with irrigation is a natural 
remedy for this condition. There is, however, no question that 
beyond this we have in water areas a source of production which 
is very extensive, and which, were it brought under the proper 
system of cultivation, would furnish a great source of wealth. 
We are all familiar with the rank growth of swamps and low¬ 
lands, and can readily appreciate that for certain kinds of vegeta¬ 
tion a constant or even excessive supply of water is in no degree 
detrimental. There is however, in addition to the evident growth, 
an enormous development of microscopic life familiar to the 
biologist, but practically ignored by those unfamiliar with aquatic 
life. 
“Some of this becomes apparent as green scum or as floating masses 
when its growth exceeds the capacity of the aquatic animals to consume it. 
Sometimes these minute algae become a great source of annoyance in water 
supplies if for any reason their multiplication is unchecked, since they give 
offensive odors and taste to the water. 
“It has been estimated that the rate of development in some of these 
organisms is such that the possible progeny of one individual would suffice 
to fill all the waters of the globe in less than a week. 
“This is significant to us here simply as showing the enormous possi¬ 
bility of these organisms in utilizing water and air in the formation of veg¬ 
etable substance, which substance may, with proper utilization, be trans¬ 
formed into fertilizing agents for the production of valuable plant crops or 
into animals having direct commercial value. To understand this process, 
let us consider for a moment the relations existing among aquatic organisms. 
The algae may be considered among the more simple and these develop 
with only water and air or the other inorganic contents of water, but they 
furnish food for an innumerable host of microscopic animals such as amoe¬ 
bae, rotifers, etc., and these in turn are fed upon by others, such as 
microscopic Crustacea, which again form an important part in the diet of 
young fishes. These when grown, or after furnishing the basis of food for 
other larger species, may reach our tables as human food. This, however, 
is but one line of transformation, as we have fishes of very different habits 
utilizing different kinds of aquatic life as food. 
“Where the life taken from the water does not balance the production, or 
where this product is not drained off into the sea, the accumulation of or¬ 
ganic debris forms at the bottom a mass of richest organic matter, which 
by its decomposition may in a large part result in marsh gas, and in this 
form escape into the air. * * * 
“We have in America practically no established system of cropping our 
water areas. * * * Something has been accomplished in fish culture 
in some sections, but even here the full utilization of the resources of a 
body of water are but poorly accomplished. A few sporadic efforts have 
been made here and there in the culture of frogs and turtles, but how many 
of them with such attention to the subject as to warrant the term cul¬ 
ture?” * * * 
The farmer who drains and cultivates an acre of swampy 
land on his farm gains that much additional space for his ordinary 
culture and for a time at least it may be unusually productive as 
it contains the accumulated organic debris of years, but would it 
not be far greater wisdom to dredge out occasionally a portion of 
this accumulation to spread upon higher ground and keep the 
