Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-09-17
horticultural Department.
Toads not to be trOd on.

We have complaints from every quarter, Of the
depredaiions Of nies-and anxious inquiries are
made for remedies We have killed off all the
birds for fear they would steal few kernels OF
grain. And we pay no more attention TO toad
than If he was born, like ourselves, to labor for a
living. Crows we make war upon with more bit
terness if not at great cost, on the Mexcans;
and pigs are not permitted to run in orchards lest
they root and pick up green apples along with the
worms that harbor there.
"Shall we receive good ut the hand OF Provi-
dence and shall we not receive evil p II is the
duty of man TO turn TO the best account the in
stincts Of all the animals that are destined to ac-
company him.
Tolds are as harmless as any Of our fellow crea-
lures, and toads will pick up every worm and fly
in the garden, provided you give them a chance.
loads want a shelter from the wet and cold, and
if none is provided in your garden or field, they
will not make those places their home though they
find food enough. In Matamoros your warriors
are uneasy without tents and they too will quit
less a supply is furnished You may find toads in
plenty under your buildings, where they find not
half SO much good living as they would in your
fields. They 60 for protection, and leave :her
best game to riot your vegetables in the garden.
Last week we turned up board, several feet in
length, that had been carelessy left near our gar
den, OH some ploughed ground. Under this board
were snugy lodged large number Of toads and a
family Of little ones, half all inch long They ap-
peared more happy than many families under more
costly roofs, and seemed not much alarmed at the
unroohng Of their house, for they had the best Of
reasons for trusting US as friends.
We have removed this family-sheter and all
into our vegetable garden, ard intend to provide
more boards for others that may come ill we have
stock enough for the fodder. Flat stones are ac-
ceptabe TO these useful creatures, but number Of
boards, one foot wide and three in length, will an
swer better They will not be in the way. Indeed
they will save much wedding, and the roots Of veg
etabes will run well under such shelters when
there are none.
And no,o for orOws--While we were writing the
above, twelve crows gave us a loud call, and with.
out farther ceremony aighed in our mown field
and helped themselves to their stomach's content
TO the surplus grasshoppers which the hens coult
not pick up The crows on our premises this veal
have done more good than evil They pulled uE
not a bill of corn after we sowed peck or two on
the surface of the 6eld-and with their aid we shall
have fine lot of fall feed for cattle Grasshopper.
have often done ten times as much mischief on d
farm as crows and it is moot question whether il
is advisable to extermiuate their desiroyers.
We would electoneer right heartily for these
black pigeons, and naturalize them, were it not for
the war spirit which they too often manifest to-
wards the weaker tribes Of birds. But let ii be re.
membered that these black warriors are so shy that
they never carry off young birds from gardens OF
orchards near your dwellings
II robins and other small birds are encouraged
10 build near the habitation Of man, they will pre-.
fer such locations to extensive forests and swamps
where hawks, and crows, and snakes, are more apl
TO be their neiehbors- Massachusetts, PiOughman