Conservation and Development

The Alamaba Bird Day Book, 1914

Fifth graders of Sacramento public schools being taught the fundamentals of game conservation at Southside Park, where many water fowl are to be found on the lake.

Conservation and development materials cover a wide range of topics, from geology to hunting, to underdeveloped land, to game protection, and some materials specific to conservation of bird species.  Hunting and game protection materials discuss laws surrounding hunting licenses and tags, number of species legally taken in-season, and population increases and decreases of species.  Migratory bird populations were of interest as early as the 1920's.  Law and population conditions of migratory birds are featured. 

Management of undeveloped and unproductive land is discussed in reference to the locations and values of these tracts of land and how to create a demand for the land. Suggestions of the land being purchased by the state and leased to farmers are discussed.

Mineral, oil, and natural gas are covered. Main topics include location and value of deposits, purity, mining methods, and uses.

Bird conservation is the topic of materials in Alabama and Indiana. Information such as conservation advice, habitats, and population records, are interspersed with poetry and short stories about birds.

 Education is mentioned throughout the collection as a method of promoting conservation and development.  Specific groups targeted include elementary-age school children and Boy Scouts, as they are mentioned as the easiest group to instill the messages of conservation for the future and self-restraint in hunting.  Exhibitions at agricultural fairs were another education method.  These featured live specimens from the area, information on hatcheries, game reservations, forests, streams, and lakes, charts of species population, etc.

Examples of Resources Available:

New Jersey Department of Conservation and Development Report

The Natural Resources Survey of the Conservation and Natural Resources Commission of New Mexico

Missouri Land Department (See Missouri Historical Documents Browser)

Forestry

Forest fire material is prominent within the forestry portion of the collection.  Items contain discussions of fire law, prevention, reported fires, cause, damage, regrowth, and effect on crops.  Dry conditions are certainly a cause as they are today, but railroads were a cause for concern as well.  Locomotives were named as the largest fire-starter in New Hampshire in 1903-1904.  Sparks from the smokestacks and hot coals from the ash pan were the main concern.  Prevention of forest fires was given more emphasis than actually fighting the fires.  Firebreaks, cutting wide swaths of land on either side of railroad tracks, and employing look-outs were the main prevention techniques.  Education of the public was another prevention technique.  This took the form of pamphlets, lectures, and one-on-one discussions with motorists in dry areas. 

Reports on the logging industry are common in the Forest Reports.  This includes information on the state of logging in various regions of the state, the various industries that use the cut trees, the types of trees available, and the conditions of the forests.  The major lumber industries that made use of the timber were wood pulp, paper, railroad-ties, and lumber.  The types of trees available, the conditions of the forests, and the cutting methods were noted in order to preserve the forests and prevent total devastation.

Forest Reports also contain information on damage to trees caused by various diseases, fungi, tent worms, and parasites.  This information was particularly important because it gave those throughout the state the knowledge to fight pests and problems.  The progressions and locations of problem areas were tracked and recommendations were made on how to relieve the problems.

Reforestation is frequently mentioned in conjunction with areas damaged by fire, logging, or grazing cattle.  Unproductive land was seen as a problem to be dealt with by planting new forests.  Land owners were encouraged to replant by prescribed methods or by redeeding the land back to the government for reforestation.

Examples of Resources Available:

New Hampshire Forestry Commission Report

Biennial Report of the State Forester of the State of California

Biennial Report of the State Forester of the State of Kenucky

Report of the New Hampshire Forestry Commission

Biennial Report of the Nebraska Firestation Commission

Missouri Forestry Commissioner (See Missouri Historical Documents Browser)

Fisheries and Game

Quite a few states have books cover matters of fish and game law (some have material on land and forest law as well).  These contain contents about the size and number of fish and game that can be taken, how it can be taken, and in what seasons.  The sale and transportation of fish and game are also covered.  Migratory bird law is briefly mentioned, as are recent law changes. 

Fish hatcheries are discussed in detail.  Each hatchery is mentioned for its species of fish produced, the cost, and where the fish were distributed.  Much of the Fish Commissioners Reports consist of tables outlining the number of fish stocked to ponds by county.  Some states feature a particular species of fish each year and give a more detailed report containing information on description, food, habitat, spawning, and hatchery work.  Other information on fish includes the number of fish taken by fishermen and their value.  Some states also provide information specific to shell fisheries.

Various species of game and its aspects are covered.  Frequently hunted animals such as deer, pheasants, quail, and ducks are discussed in detail for population numbers, hunting methods, number reported, and number reported taken for the year.  Species growth and decline over time can be observed, as well as hunting trends.

Examples of Resources Available:

State of California Fish Commission Report

Maine Commissioners of Inland Fisheries and Game Report

Biennial Report of the Commissioner of Fisheries and Game of Indiana

Report of the Fish Commissioners of Pennsylvania

Annual Report of the Fish and Game Commission of Illinois

Missouri State Fish Commissioner (See Missouri Historic Documents Browser)

Missouri Game and Fish Warden (See Missouri Historic Documents Browser)

Missouri Game and Fish Depertment (See Missouri Historical Documents Browser)

Agriculture

Early spring flowers of Vermont

Agricultural information varies by volume.  It consists mainly of reports given to agriculture boards on various topics. Some of these topics include the use of cow's milk in feeding children, fruit tree growth and pruning, modern dairy methods, insects and insecticides, sheep breeding, crop rotation, farm wastes, business practices, and natural history of the area. 

Meeting minutes are also given for dairy associations.

Also included are acts and regulations enacted by the General Assembly relating to the manufacture and sale of provisions and fertilizer, offenses against public health, testing of milk and cream, horse protection, and other agricultural ventures.

Examples of Resources Available:

Vermont State Board of Agriculture Report

Missouri State Board of Agriculture (See Missouri Historical Documents Browser)