Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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ervation, the surest method of game propagation has been utilized; for good forests mean good fishing and hunting. A movement is now under way for establishing town forests. If Aga- wam wants a good investment, paying, not only in dollars, but in the health and happiness of its residents, let it buy a tract of land unsuited for agricul- tural purposes and use it exclusively as a breeding ground for wild life. Let it think of the future as well as of the present, and follow the suggestion of ’27’s class motto: Non Nobis Sed Omnibus — Not for Ourselves, but for Others. Paul B. Cesan (i)hip zAhoy ! hip Ahoy! — the captain’s shouting, As he leans against the bow — For four long years you’ve waited — But we’re leaving harbor now. For years you’ve been a-planning For just this one long run, But, even vet, you’ve much to learn Ere this great trip is done. I know you’ve conned the principles, But you’ll find the rule of three Can’t always be applied to things — Least of all, this sea. Book learning’s wonderful, And mighty handy, too, But there’s a host of things That books can’t ever teach to you. But this sea is a great old teacher — What she teaches you’ll recall Till your bones are laid to slumber ’Neath a cold and stony wall. But she don’t write your ratings On any card or mart — She just weighs you in the balance And writes upon your heart. Today, your hearts are glowing, The sky’s of softest hue, There’s a Land of Promise waiting Out there beyond the blue. Your very souls are throbbing With the lure of salty brine, With the hope of gems and jewels And casks of sweetest wine. [16]

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formed a background for our game laws today and renewed the spirit of conservation, created by the economical Indians. It is a long leap from the time the Indians roamed in this vicinity to the present time, and the facts are correspondingly arresting. We use enough wood each year to construct seven boardwalks, twenty-five feet wide, from the earth to the moon, and we are turning out railroad ties at the rate of three a second. As a result the income from our forests amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Only two-fifths of the original supply of timber remains, and it has been estimated that only about two- fifths of the original amount of game. Though we no longer rely on game for food and on skins for clothing, we sell millions of dollars’ worth of furs each year. In six of the surrounding states the annual kill of deer is about thirty-five thousand. Consider its worth at twenty cents a pound and you will have over a million dollars. Hut are we just a money-loving people who count only on commercial values? What would childhood be without the stories of the bears and the woods? Where can you find a better place to spend your vacation than among the trees, getting closer to Nature and enjoying her health insurance? If we are to continue to enjoy Nature in this way, it is up to us to support the policy of conservation. There are extremists in this issue as there are in every other. Some people arc in favor of abolishing all game laws, resulting in the extermination of game, and ending the argument, so they think. Hut they are thinking only of themselves. What of the future generations? These people would be no better than weasles, killing for the mere pleasure of it, and the result of this policy would be the same as in the case of our buffalo. In order to see one of these shaggy animals now, we have to go to Forest Park, whereas not long ago millions roamed over one- third of this continent. The other extremists desire absolutely no hunting, fishing, or trapping. Can they be considered red-blooded men and women? They forget the boy, and all men are bovs, say the women — the boy who likes to match his wits with the fur-bearers, who thrills at the tug upon the fish pole, who glories in the excitement of the chase. The supply of wild life is a heritage of nature and a gift from God, and it is ours to use as long as we use discretion. Let us endeavor to conserve and enlarge this supply. Theodore Roose- velt said that the conservation of our natural resources was the most impor- tant problem before our country and this problem is even greater today. To be a real benefit this policy of conservation and game propagation must be carried out in a sane and just manner. Much is said about the wonderful conservation system of Hritain. It is wonderful for the rich who have acquired all the hunting and fishing grounds. Hut what of the poor fellow who has the same love of sport? He resorts to poaching and gets a long prison term. Today even in our country, wealthy sportsmen are buying large tracts of land for private preserves. This is not the kind of conserva- tion which we, as Americans, wish to see practiced. Already our national government has done something in the line of a constructive forestry pro- gram by purchasing large tracts of wood land and by reforesting water sheds. This good work cannot be carried on rapidly enough, however, to make up for past years of wasteful lumbering and to prevent catastrophies like the present flood of the Mississippi. Ry this very policy of forest pres- [15]

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But it won’t be all smooth sailin’ As you skim along the years, ’Cause life’s made up of laughter, Of understanding, and of tears. Sometimes, a friendly lighthouse Will send forth its gleaming ray, And across the troubled waters Like a torch ’twill light the way. Life’s a game of give and take, And thus you’ll find it true That what you give unto the waves Is what comes back to you. When you feel the ship a-sinking Almost a lowly wreck, Just rescue all the others — Be the last to leave the deck. Be the man who’s just the same, On land or on the sea; When Dame Misfortune hits a blow, He takes it smilingly. Whatever be your destiny, Face it like a man, As long as God’s in Heaven, You’re a part of His plan. Now the sun is soaring skyward, It’s time to dip the oar, In the glory of life’s morning, We’ll leave this dear old shore. Yes, we’re leaving our safe harbor For wide channels of the sea, But all the days we’ve spent here Dwell in the hall of memory. Vivian Brown, ’27 rol