Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-08
ANrtGuItMrnl.
Farmers Read This,

The American Agrculturalist, in answer
TO the inquiry, "What are birds good for ?"
relates the following;
In connection with this subject, we will
give an anecdote related 10 US last winter
by Gov. Aiken, of South Carolina, of the
rice birds. These little creatures gather
round the rice fields at harvest time in
bountless myriads, and of course consume
considerable grain. Some years ago it was
determined to make war upon them, and
drive them out of the country and the
measure was in some degree successful, as
far as getting rid of the birds. what are
birds for? 2 The rice plant soon found out;
Tor with the decrease of birds, the worms
increased so rapidly that, instead Of few
scattering grains to feed the birds, the
whole crop was demanded TO fill the nsati-
able nav of the army that came to consume
every young shoot as fast as they sprung
from the ground. Most undoubtedly the
birds were invited back again with hearty
welcome A few years ago the blackbirds
in the northern part of Indiana, were con-
sldered g5ievous nuisance to the farmer.
Whole fields OF oats were sometimes Destroy
ed and the deprodatons upon late corn
were greater than can be believed, if told.
The farmer sowed and the birds raped
He scolded and they twittered. Occasion
ally charge Of shot brought down score,
but made no more impression upon the
great sea Of birds than the removal of a
bucket of water from The great salt puddle
A few years later every green thing on the
| land seemed destined to destruction by the
army Of worms. Man was powerless-a
worm among worms. Bot his best friend
the Ratchet black bird, came to his relic
Just in time to save when all seemed lost
No human aid could have helped him
How thankful should man be that God has
given him for his companions and fellow
laborers, in the cultivation of the earth
those lovely birds. The laborer is worthy
OF his hire Why should we grudge :he
little share claimed by the busy little fel
lows which follow the pillow and snatch the
worm away f;om the seed, that it nigh
produce grain for his and our Sustenance
The Horticulturist, for January, contains
among other valuable and interesting arti
cIes, communication from William Hop
kins, of Brunswick, Rensselaer, county, il
relation 10 the CurcuIio, which has PROVED
SO destructive TO fruit, particularly Plums
through the country He aIudes to thu
great utility of birds and fowls as fol
lows
have put the following questions to thu
oldest people in the neigborhood, and re
celved invariably about the same answers
Are your apples as sound now as those
you raised thirty or forty years ago?'
ooh, no they're gnarly and wormy
now-the seasons amt as good as they uset
to be-"
:" Are the birds as plentiful as former
Iy%
ooh, law, no they used to make nos,
enough to deaten you, when | was young
"Do you raise as much poultry"
"Why no! guess not, we get more butch
er's meat now"
1t will be readily observed by the frs
reply, that those persons have not the leas
idVo vi VIC ji CSCht NduoS vi ldlIuI6. u
not insist that the curcuIio is the onI
troublesome thing). know of soitar
apple tree, in a forty acre field, where ever
fallen fruit shows several crescent shape
punctures. Paving under the trees, or white
washing the fruit, may save the crop, bu
both plans are expensive; and even whe
we have done it, the greatest vigilance
necessary, because they are still surround
ed by the enemy. Nothing short of tot;
determination should be the aim OF tn
fruit grower let him explain the nature ,
this insect TO every one who owns tree
to every man, woman and child, on hi
premises let him be grower of poultry
as well as grower OF fruit let him Civ
accommodation and encouragement to tn
birds of the air, in every possible way; Ii
him petition the proper authorities, thu
stringent laws may be enacted for Ihei
preservation that all dishonest person
may be prevented from coming on GU
land to shoot or ensnare them. The wor
dishonest may appear too severe forthis plac
let it pass, Those who feed the bird,
(namely the owners Of the soiD, have
special claim to their services, and n
struggling sportsman should deprive ther
of it.