Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-04-21
The Farm ey .
Tor the Lewisturs Chronicle.
Eirds vs., Insects.

Eirds vs., Insects.
Mr.. Editor In 4 conversation with you
a few days since, relative to the preScf,a-
ton of birds, and the benefits the confer
upon the farmer in the t;es,rucr,ac If the
numerous bugs, wcrms. and insects -aa.
prey upon his crops, | meat;ou.l aa is.
te : in Illustration, that came unlgr nI5
own observation you desired more pr
t;cular statement, and having little leis.
ure this rainy morning, | will give you
brief account of it. But first must cb-
serve, that it is not the farmer alone who
is benefited by the birds every one that
has a garden, fruit tree, or even few
plants and flowers, participates to a greater
CT less extent in the same benefit; nor is it
confined to those engaged in the cultiva-
ton of the various productions Of the soil
every consumer Of those products is aifec
ted by the same cause, both in the quauti
ty and quality of the articles with which
our markets are supplied. 50 numerous
are the insect tribes, and varied their trans.
formations during the different stages Of
their existence, that when We see them IN
one form, we hardly know when to look
for them in the next, or whether to expect
their attacks above the surface of the
ground or beneath it. But of this we are
assured, that at almost every period OF
their existence, under some form, they
prey upon the plants and fruits of the
earth i; and such is the rapidity Of their in
crease, that if they were suffered to multi
ply unmolested, we might continue 20
cultivate the earth, but plentiful harvests
an abundance of good fruit wonld be
events of rare occurrence; for, however
diversified the range Of our cultivation, |
believe there is not tree, plant, or flower
in the whole catalogue, that is not subject
70 their depredations. Various plans and
schemes have been devised for their de-
s:ruction, but most, if not all Of them fail
in that important particular, c5icic"cy,
when tested by experience. One plan
alone seems to promise success; and that
is, the preservation Of the different kinds
of birds, that frequent our woods and
fields. These insects are the natural food
Of many species Of birds, aud consequently
shey are always on the watch for them
Birds are the constant attendants OF the
farmer in all his operations, and whenever
the ploY, the harrow, or the cultivator ex-
poses worm or bug, they are ready to
take it up, and thus myriads of insects are
daily destroyed that would otherwise be
suffered to prey upon his crops, aud null
tiply their species for future deprcdatlons.
The benefits they confer upon the commu-
nifty in this way, are not easily over-esii-
mated. Notwithstanding this, there is Il
certain class of bipeds about our villages,
of nondescript genus and equirocal species,
constantly rowing about our fields with
"dog aud gum waging an indiscriminate
warfare against everything IN the form OF
2 bird, from hawk to wren. No argn
ment can influence this class 50 it is use
less to waste words with them ; but / fiH
sorry to say that occasionally see So A'e
among them whose education, nte-.lss-.c',
and refinement Of manners and tec.Iag,
should prompt them to seek relaxation oI
mind in amuscments Of 4 more useful anu
less barbarous character.
But, to return to the 81 incident, " which
YOU will think [ have forgotten. A few
years since, we moved heavy crop OF
clover from field, aud left it to grow up
again. The weather was favorable, and IN
q short time the whole field was covered
with luxuriant growth of clover Soon
after this, We discovered two or three spots
in the field, beginning to cnange collar ana
assume an appearance resembling STy
stubblc. Unable to account for this sia-
eular change, examined the spots care
fully for.he cause ,ard found the grass boiFi-
ering upon them covered with worms or cat
erpillars, while the interior OF the spots WIS
literally stripped Of q every green thing
The worms we're Of all sizes, from quar-
ter Of an inch TO an inch and half in
length, and Of almost every color. From