The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-05-30
FARMER READ THIS.

In connection with this subject, we
will give an anccdote related to 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 countless
myriads, and Of course consume con.
siderable grain. Some years ago it
was determined TO make war upon
them, and drive them out of the coun-
try, and the measure was in some
degree successful, as far as getting rid
Of the birds. 'Wha! are birds tor?'
The rice plant soon found out: for
with the decrease of birds. the worms
increased SO rapidly that, instead Of a
few scattering grains to feed the birds,
the whole crop was demanded to fill
the Unsuitable maw 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 wei.
come. a few years ago the black
birds in the northern part Of Indiana
were considered a gricvous nuisance
to The farmer. Whole fields of oats
were sometimes destroyed, and the
dcpredations upon late corn were
greater than can be believed, if told.
The farmer sowed and the birds
rcaped. He scoded and they twit-
tered. Occasionally charge of shot
brought down score. but made no
more impression upon the great sea
Of birds than the removal of Il bucket
of water from the great salt puddle.
A few years later every green thing
on the land seemed destined TO de.
struction by the army Of worms
Man was poWerless worm among
worms. But his best friend, the
hatchct black bird, came to his relief
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 COM
panions and fellow laborers, in the
cultivation Of the earth, those lovely
birds. The laborer is worthy of his
hire Why should we grudge the
little share claimed by the busy little
fellows which follow the plow and
snatch the worm away from the seed;
that it might produce grain for his
and our sustenance? The Horticul>
turist, for January, contains, among
other valuable and interesting articles.
communication from William Hop
kins, of Buynswick, Rensselaer, couns
ty, in relation to the Curculio, which
has proved so destructive 10 fruit,
particularly Plums, throughout tho
country. He aIludes 10 the great
utility of birds and fowls as follows:
have put the following questions
TO the oldest people in the neighbor-
hood, and received, invariably, about
the same answers:
"Arc your apples as sound now as
those you raised thirty or forty years
ago."
"Oh, no! they're gnarly and wormy
now-the seasons amt as good as
they used to be-"
Are the birds as plentiful as form
crly 2"
"Oh, law. no they used to make
noise enough to deafcn you, when /
was young"
40 you raise as much poultry?"
"Why no! guess not, we get more
butchers meat now."
Ii will be readily observed by the
first reply, that those persons have not
the least idea of the present cause OF
failure. q do not insist that the
Curculic is the only troublesome
thing) | know Of a solitary apple
tree, in forty acre field, where every
fallen fruit shows several crescent
shaped punctures. Paving under the
trees. or white washing the fruit, may
save the crop, but both plans are exs
pensive; and even when we have
done it. the greatest vigilance is me-
cessary, because they are still SUR
rounded by the enemy. Nothing short
of total determination should be the
aim of the fruit grower; let him cx-
plain the nature Of this insect 10 every
one who owns tree, TO every man,
woman aud child, on his premises; let
him be a grower Of poultry, as well
as a grower Of fruit; let him give ac.
commodation and encouragement to
the birds Of the air. in every possible
way; let him petition the proper aus
,horitiss, tha. stringent laws may be
enacted for their preservation! that
all dishonest persons may be prevent.
cd from coming on our land TO shoot
or iuiure them. The word dishonest
NAV appear too severe for this place
let it pass. Those who fed the
birds, (namely. the owners Of the soil,)
have special claim to their services.
aud no struggling sportsman should
deprive them OF it.
Folly TO think that you can make pork