The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-08-28


we have these precious gifts bestowed only
to be snatched firm us by these depreda'
tors
We find in every department of nature
nicely balanced system, one race oil crea-
tlres set over against another to keep each
other within the limits which the Creator
has assigned them, and at head of this sys
TEN is man. lie has intelligence capable oi
knowing the designs of the Almighty, and
Incorporating with the divine plans, or oil
thwarting them. In the sea, over which
man has little control, the balance between
the various tribes of fishes is kept up with
little variation. II any race is materially
diminished, it is that which visits the riSer'
aud small streamcs for the purpose of depos'
iing its spawn, and thus comes within the
reach of man. The tribes that are yorac-
ious are less prolific, so.that they are not un-
duly multiplied, and those which constitute
the prey Of Others are made more abundant
! " fertile, and by instinct deposit their
spawn in secure places. Thus, life in the
sea moves on harmouiously, and no race
becomes extinct until it has accomplished
the work assigned to it by the Creator.
Man has intcrFcrcd with thcarranScments
Of Providence in regard to insects in two
ways, Their supplies have been cut off, SO
that instead of feeding upon the forests and
shrubs, they are now forced to feed upon
cultivated crops. The forests once covered
the whole country nearly, and every one
must see the effect upon insect life of cut
tins of three-lourths or more OF their nat.
ural pasture grounds. Vt the same time
that there has been this reduction in the
supplies of the insect tribes, the birds, their
natural enemies, have almost been extermi.
mated. They were designed to check the
enormous multiplication of insects, and to
be taken under the protection of man-for
the ,ake of their ala in protecting him in
the enjoyment Of the fruit of his labors In-
stead OF receiving this protection, many of
the birds have been prescribed by law, and
a price set upon the heads Of crowns and
black.birds, as If they were the enemies of
man. vagrbUud boys have had u special
commission to destroy them with powder,
and lead, as il they were doing the world
service. So greatly has the stock of birds
been reduced, that cultlvators are beginning
tD be alarmed, and in some OF the States
they have already secured wiser legislation.
But it vii take many years before the natu.
raj balance between birds and insects can be
restored.
There are, doubtless, moral lessons under
lying these facts, but it Is not our purpose
to discuss them here. Meanwhile man
must do tariily, and with infinite labor, what
were better done by the myriad songsters of
the grove and the meadow, until these have
resained their place in our field. and gar
dcns. Man holds the ba ance of powor,and
may, through the birds, keep the insect
tribes in cheek 50 rs TO secure his harvests
The swallows and martins, that find con
genial society in man, should be encouraged
to take up their labor around our barns and
dwellings. They devour swarming insects
wasps, beetles and goldsmiths. Ii is estinIa
ted that n single bird will devour five thous'
and moths in week. The sparrows and
wrcus prey upon insects in another stage o.
their existence. when they first come out o.
their eggs, and lurk within the buds, leaves
and flowers of plants. The thrushes, crows,
blue. birds, jays, and black.brds dovour but
terilres, grasshOppers, crickets, locusts, anC
the larger beetles. In season OF threC
months, single family Of jays will destroy
at least twenty thousand insects. Thn
gives us some idea OF the eftctual check
which birds put upon the rayages OF insects
Now in fly time" while the whole air II
redolcnt of their mumurings, we would stir
up the pure minds OF our readers to think o
their dCpredations, and to devise methods u
destroy them.
EXAMINE YOUR rRsEs
for the evidence of their rayases. Ii Is sur
prising to see how ready farmers are to pay
cash for trees, aud to plant them well, anC
how careless they are of their after treat
meut. They take it for granted that th'
crop of fruit is sure, as soon rs the tree b
set. Ii is not 50. The work is only vel
begun. Trees should be treated Us personal
friends, looked to. visited, and iatterel Will
particular attentions. Inquire after then
health. and response will come from the
bark, the twigc, and the leaves. Il th'
trunk smooth, indicating that the ownel
has applied strong soap-suds recently, anC
routed the moss and the countless progeny
O, scale bugs? There is sawdust around th'
collar perhaps. Investigate the hole with q
wire, and snite the borer with fatal 6or'
under the fifth rib. Is the new wood strong
and healthy and the foliage luxur'ant aud
glossy? You will find many curlcd and
dead leaves, perhaps, and wi,hio the folds a
whole brood Of eggs, or crawling grub
Kill him, as you hops for fruit mkt yar.
Turn piss into your orchard t. ea' up th'
Early dropping fruit. Every wcr@'eatcr
apple is p~, house-destrcy it. Scr.pc
,fr the oil bark, that serves as a reraSc for
che moths and their esss, aud bear II in
mind. tha, all these hbors and appliances
will bat impertectly do the work OF birds.
rnS riNsLr SAVING OF sEsDs.
Do no, w.it till they peSin to she'll from
.he poior husk is dry. and the drying ps1
esss will 20 on q lite as sill under an oPer
she'd Us on the stalk. cAbblss, turnips