130 State Papers and Addresses

and fish for the sportsmen of our State. Our Conservation Commission, in
devoting its attention to matters affecting the commercial fisheries, has already
demonstrated its ability to improve conditions, and is launched on a program
guaranteeing further improvements in its all-important sphere. Through a
cooperative agreement with the State Forestry Department, the Game and
Fish Commission has been able to establish, on State-owned forest property,
nine wild life inviolate sanctuaries, or game refuges, each of which will be
properly enclosed, and posted thoroughly against trespassing and hunting.
Thus the wild-life in these refuges will have an opportunity to propagate, free
of molestation, without interfering with any hunting privileges on surrounding
lands. As a matter of fact, the overflow from the refuges will serve to supply
additional game for the surrounding neighborhood.

Of the nine wild-life refuges, four are in Worcester County, covering a
total of 1, 400 acres, while five are in Garrett County with approximately the
same acreage.

In Washington County, the Commission, through the cooperation of the
United States Biological Survey, has purchased a 1, 200 acre tract of land, to
be known as "Indian Spring Wild-Life Restoration Project. " Under the Federal
Statute, the National Government pays 75% of the costs and improvements,
and the Commission, the other 25%.

Through the cooperation of Dr. Thomas B. Symons, Director of the Ex-
tension Service at the University. of Maryland, advisory councils are being
formed in every County to work with the State Game and Inland Fish Com-
mission. These Councils will be composed of leading citizens representing the
Farm Bureau and State Grange, sportsmen and other interested groups. This
is a definite advance because it will bring about cooperation from the farmers,
whose cooperation is definitely needed in developing our State wild-life restora-
tion projects.

During 1939, the State Game Commission has distributed 25, 000 pieces of
game in the covers of Maryland for propagation purposes, the great majority
of which were raised in State-owned propagation plants.

I enumerate these completed projects and plans to indicate that Maryland
has taken notice of the limitless possibilities inherent in our natural resources.
Believing that a statement of facts will afford an understanding of the scope
of the State's undertakings, as well as of the proposals for further extensions,
I invite attention to additional well-considered plans.

The Fish and Game Division has in process or is planning, extensive
improvements to our fish hatcheries and nurseries, whereby we can raise more
fish at these stations. Also, through the cooperation of the National Youth
Administration, the Division has a project underway in Washington County on
the old C&O canal, where the removal of brush and debris from the waters will
afford an excellent rearing area for game fish, especially black bass and crappie.

With regard to wild fowl, you all know as well as I, that Maryland, due
to the great Chesapeake Bay country, is one of the great gathering places for
wild fowl in these United States. There are more wild geese and wild ducks
concentrated on the Chesapeake Bay and tributary waters than on any other
one area on the east coast. By Chapter 723, Act of 1939, Maryland joined
hands with the Federal Government in a wild water-fowl restoration program
by designating an area on the Susquehanna Flats, in the head of the Chesapeake
Bay, as a wild water-fowl sanctuary. The President of the United States has