of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 509

tion in the early 20's, the United States Bureau of Fisheries conducted a survey
along the same lines. As a result of its specific recommendations, appropriate
laws were enacted by the two Legislatures and the industry made such a tre-
mendous recovery that crab production in the Bay reached an all-time peak in
1931 and 1932. There is good reason to expect that, from the study now being
undertaken, there will come recommendations for measures that will go far
again to restore the crab fishery to its former high level of production.

While the Department of Tidewater Fisheries supervises the commercial
fishery setup, the Maryland State Game and Inland Fish Commission has similar
jurisdiction over the fresh-water fish and upland game of the State. It can
be said with deep gratification, that much progress has been made under this
Commission in building up the supply of upland game and fresh-water fish as
well as in securing better observance of protective laws.

The Commission has made forward strides in the matter also of restoration
of cover for wild life which, in addition to furnishing food, assists in preventing
erosion of valuable land. Likewise, with Federal help, it has been able to dis-
tribute some 12, 000 bobwhite, 4, 000 pheasants and 6, 000 wild turkeys during the
past year. In addition to having the best trout and bass fishing season in our
State in many years, the sports fisherman among you will be interested, I am
sure, to know that the distribution of trout this year by the Commission will
approximate 75, 000 in lengths from 8 to 18 inches, while up to 125, 000 bass will
have been placed in the various streams of the State.

One of the means developed in recent years for the protection of game has
been the establishment of game refuges in various sections of the State. Along
such lines for instance, the Board of Natural Resources will be able to offer
useful suggestions with respect to the coordination of effort between the State
Game and Inland Fish Commission, the Commission of State Forests and Parks,
and the Department of Tidewater Fisheries. Similarly, the Board can offer
much in the way of help to the newly created Department of Forests and Parks,
whose representative, the State Forester, is a member of the Board.

The problems confronting this Department are many and varied. Among
its major responsibilities are the protection of the State's 21/! million acres of
woodland from forest fires, for which a State-wide system of 36 fire towers, 650
Forest Wardens and guards are employed during the spring and fall seasons.
It also has the administration and maintenance of 9 State forests, totalling
110, 000 acres, in four different sections of the State for timber production,
watershed protection, wild life and recreation.

The Department has the administration and maintenance of 6 State parks
totalling 4, 000 acres for recreation and preservation of scenic values, and of two
State forest nurseries for the growing and distribution of seedlings and trans-
plants for forests, windbreak and roadside planting. Under the roadside tree
law the Forestry Department is responsible for the protection of some 4, 000, 000
trees along the streets and highways throughout the State.

Combining the activities of several previous departments, there was created
under the new Act, also, a Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources,
of which the Chairman is a member of the parent Board of Natural Resources.

The relationship between this Department and some aspects of the work of