330 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
NATIONAL AND STATE PROTECTION. 
The concluding inquiry, as to whether State protection of the beds is desirable or 
necessary, is answered with more or less definiteness in 73 papers, and, as might be 
expected on 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 the 
purpose of the question clearly, and some hold that while not necessary now it may 
be so in 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.” 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 takeu 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. 
Only a few approximate figures can be given. The total production of pearls may 
be summed up as follows: In the 1856 excitement $50,000, worth to-day at least four 
times that amount; in the 1868 excitement $50,000 worth; in the 1889 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 great 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 is, therefore, very desirable, as the industry, if properly regulated, 
yields a product which can always be sold for cash. 
New York City. 
