Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-04-12
agricultural.
birds and KgricuIture.

DIrus anu ASTiCuftuC'
This subject has been taken upin the
Legislature of both Connecticut and
Massachusetts,, and law has been pass
cd by the former, perhaps by the latter,
also, prohibiting the indiscrimlnate
slaughter Of birds. In Report made
to the Legislature of Massachusetts, on
this subject, it is said that the examine
ton of the habits of birds has led many
intelligent persons to the conclusion, that
it is doubtful at least whether single
one is found in the State which does not
more good than harm to the farmer; and
has made it certain that many now look
ed upon as enemies are friends Of such
Importance that without them the bust
ness of husbandry could not go on.
The right of destroying birds by those
who wish to secure their orchards or gar
dans is not denied, but the greater num-
Der are killed by wanton boys, who with
out any reason but their own pleasure,
are permitted to indulge in a cruel and
injurious amusement.
1t is clearly proved that the extermi-
nation of birds which do little harm
occasionally, gives protection from a
small evil at the expense of greater ;
securing the fruit by the sacrifice of the
tree. Whilst no kind of cultivation is
affected to any considerable extent by the
deprcdations of birds, (and if it should,
other means than shooting may be devils
ed to prevent it, not so with the insects
and their ravages. If they fasten them
selves upon the locust, the apple, the
pear, and many other trees, they are gone
beyond all redemption.
Wilson" says the Massachusett re-
port, "makes the computation that each
red-winged blackbird devours, on an av-
erage, fifty grubs day +; so that single
pair in four months will consume more
than twelve thousand. Allowing that
there are million of pairs of these birds
in New England in summer, which is
but moderate estimate, they would de-
stroy twelve thousand millions. Let any
one consider what an immense injury
that number of insects would do, and
this would be sufficiently striking to show
how much we are indebted to the labor
of these birds. But the computation
may be greatly extended, for many in
sects have young by the hundreds; be-
sides cutting OFF the existing destroyers,
they are prevented from multiplying +;
and when we consider what myriads of
birds there are continually and efficient
ly engaged in this service, it is an i'm
preston beyond the power of calculation
to reach, of the astonishing manner in
which the increase of insects is kept down
simply by sparing the lives of their ma
tural destroyers. And this, it must be
remembered, is the only means of pre-
venting their increase and reducing
their formidable numbers. No other
remedy that man can apply will reach
the evil"
This is the vocation of birds; and if
for the sake Of removing small evil, we
viii not permit them to live and labor in
it, we must not complain when the natu-
raj consequences comc.
"We have experience, also, to teach
us on this subject. Kahn remarks that
after some States had paid three pence a
dozen for the destruction of blackbirds,
the consequence was total loss in the
year l749, of all the grass and grain by
means of insects, which had fourished
under the protection of that law. The
example Of our tree just alluded to, is
also standing warning; for we see that
new ones are adding to their number
The maple, perhaps the most valued Of
our ornamental trees, is now marked out
for destruction and in spite of all that
we can do, will soon be entirely lost
There is nothing to prevent this process
from going on. Other trees will soon
swell the list of victims; and when it is
too late, we shall lament that we have
protected our enemies and prosecuted our
friends. Every cultivator, for his own
sake, as well as the public good, should
endeavor to spread right views on this
subject, and to show that the wanton ex-
termination Of birds is throwing difficult
ties in the way of horticulture and farm
ing which no industry, science or skill
can overcome. y Weekly Dispatch.