The Republican journal., 1870-05-26
HOW TO PRESERVE SEED CORN FROM
BIRDS.

A correspondent of the Country Gentleman de-
sired to be informed show to prepare seed corn 10
render il unpalatabc to birds, that they will not
pull it on its first coming upE' The following re-
plies TO this question were received and publlsheu
i'll the journal referred to:
This is an important question. Every year we
hear the report of the gun in the hands of some
neighbor who is killing off the common blackbird
his best feathered friend. Early in the season,
when the mass of farmers are breaking ground
our blackbirds follow the ploughman closely, and
deyour the white grub the larva of the May beetle
and the tardy farmer, late in the season, IS quite
tll Bird simply because it does not find an abnnd-
ance of white grubs. The white grub is our worst
insect enemy, and our backbird, 50 ignorantly
hated by many, is its greatest foe.
the ravages of birds. The modus operandt is as
follows: 70 peck of corn use only Il tablespoon
ful of tar IN water tight vessel place the tar on
top of the seed. Pour boiling water on the tar I'M
til the seed is covered. Stir it brskly until the tar
is dissolved and all the grains will be discolored.
Turn it out on the ground on spot bare OF grass.
throw on ashes sufficient to dry it. and str ii quick
y which will prevent any adhesion OF The grams
thinl, nothing bu hog will touch the seed thus
prepared. It vcgetates well. If the corn has been
previously soaked, (Which OBJECTIONABLE it should
he treated to the hot water.
NV first attempts at tarrlng corn We're ridiculous
enough; L used ten times too much tar, and water
not sufficiently hot The birds will of course test
the field to taste of the corn hut soon become DIS
guStcd. w. w. kAIliBoNE.
noticed an inquiry in the Country Gentleman
to the best to prepare seed corn to rem
der it unpalatable to birds. have found coal tar
very etectlla. 1t not only prevents the birds from
pulling it up, but also prevents it from rottlng,
should the weather be wet before the corn sprouts
The tar should be heated before applied; one half
pint 10 Il bushcl of corn is sufficient.
OR.
The plan generally adopted by the farmers of
this country to prevent backbirds from pulling up
cor n the SDrinp is the one nllf Il
bushel, in a tub or other convenient vessel, ana
pour sufficient hot water to cover 1t ana lct
il stand few minutes, or till the corn IS thorough
lv warmed; then drain OIL the water, ana pour
over the corn very little gas or coal tar, which
has been previously warmed till it is thin, and with
Il stick stir il thoroughly, which will give every
grain thin covering of the tar, lastly dust over it
some dry plaster or earth to prevent the grams,
adhering together. and stir again:
The birds may pull few stalks, but gas tar be-
ING decidedly unpaatable, they soon find ii won't
pay. and dcsist from further attempts. A pint OF
tar would be sufficient for two or three bushels,
ii properly applied. Carolina tar would probably
answer the purpose. but there would be Il danger
Of putting too much on. so as TO interfere with the
termination of the seed. AGRICoLA.
Salem Co., n. j.
have Il remedy that is sure and no mis-
take. Put the seed corn to soak in lukewarm
water; let it stand from six TO twelve hours. then
turn Oft the water and stir in coal tar or gas tar, as
some call it, and stir it until it is all covered: gill
of tar to one-half hushel of corn is sufficient; then
stir in plaster ashes to prevent sticking together,
and let stand for twelve to tWcnty-our hours, and
is leady to plant, and you may be sure birds OF
any kind will not pull it, | have practiced it for
twelve years with perfect success. The reason
recommend letting it stand awhile, after being
tarred before planted. is that il planted ON moist
land immediately after tarring, the ground seems
to take out the eXtract the tar not having time TO
thoroughly penetrate the corn. 1t will not iniurc
the seed in the least. u. Il. II.
WllliSt0n, vt.