The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-03-05

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and often dangerous The destruction o
Poi:onou. reptiles and birds Of prey too ofte1
leads TO an indiscriminate slaughter Of every
ns .. xS Thu ASX; e1
the use Of the bow an arrow but all ordinary
weapons soon give place to the fowling-piec
and deadly rifle. Useful reptiles and invalu
able birds are soon destroyed. Our Western
settlements do not attain score of years till
they are visited by grasshoppers, cut worms,
Caterpillals, curculi0 and bugs OF various
kinds which destroy every green thing nasn aa
necessary and just result Of our destruc!lve,
ness. All our children have been trained
Nimrods mighty hunters Of f nariess, a nse,ai
frogs. The usefulness OF many kinds OF small
birds has become obvious that grave city
councils are making appropriations OF city
funds to import sparrows from Europe to re-
populate our city parks, in hopes thai they
may pray upon caterpillars and other insects
90 disagreeable in appearance and touch, and
trees of our cities. Had onr children been
taught to feed and caress all harmless birds
and reptiles, such importations would not now
BIO necessary; for we should have had q full
supply of acclimated birds and domesticated
lizards and toads. The destructive and dis
agreeable bugs, grubs and worms that prey
upon our gardens would furnish most accept
able food for the latter, while the birds on the
insect destructive to blossom, leaf and fruit.
The cultivators of tobacco find the turkey a
most valuable auxiliary in the field. Passing
along the rows he has better eye for the to-
bacoo worm than for anything else. in the
field. And where grasshoppers are moderately
plentiful turkeys will form line across a
Geld and pick them up SO long as one can be
found. The destruction of prairie hens, part
ridges and larks will soon be followed by in
scots that will prey upon tile crops of our
Western prairies till not green thing shall
be visible. Better suffer the depredations upon
our Wheat and corn fields, of myriads of
pigeons and cartridges, than to see clouds of
locusts, weevils and bugs settling down on the
tender foliage. Increase the domestic fowls
of every kind. Treat every kind of harmless
bird with the kindness and gentleness you ex-
eroce toward an infant, and you will be am
tenderly and feed carefully every little bird
that comes near your dwelling, and soon even
our cities will be filed with variety of beauti-
full birds. Laws for the protection of game
should, if necessary, be So amended as to in
sure the full benefit of al birds during the
season when their appetite for insects is most
keen. Parents and teachers should make
themselves better acquainted with the habits
and peculiarities OF birds, beasts and insects, |
20 that they may impart to their children and
pupils proper instructions relative to the de-
structive nature of the one, and the value of |
the other. The sciences of Entomology and
ORTHODOXY are remarkable illustrations of
the greatness of little things. Yet few learn
anything thoroughly, but by what they suffer. |
The farmer gazes with admiration on his broad
acres and growing crops of corn and wheat |
and calculates with much satisfaction the |
thousands of bushels soon to fill his garners |
pers and weevils invade every field; the earth. |
the air, and everything living and dead seems
charged with q voracious enemy. Before them
is paradise Of beauty behind, the valley of
the sconrge has also provided the remedy. Let
Us not thwart his purposes and all will be we'll.
and our highest hopes realized.
HERMIT AND RoBBER An aged hermit
once dwelt by pleasant stream, whose placid
murmurings seemed a fitting emblem of his
peaceful life. In prayer and good works his
days flowed on apace and his name was loved
and roverenced by all. One morning as he was
setting out upon some mission of love, the
chief of q band of robbers who had long been
the terror of that neighborbood, met him and
throwing himself at his feet with many tears
begged him to say if he thought there was any
Passing in his walk, hs looked upon the rob-
Der, and feeling of pride and seif-ri ghteous-
ness filled his heart as he contrasted the blood
stained, lawless life led by that wretch with
ing in this manner, he eXclaimed-"V Vile
wretch! sooner shall roses grow upon this
staff" lsticking it as he spoke on the ground)
" than Gods mercy be extended to such as
thee and passed on, leaving the poor sinner
in despair. A very short distance had he gone
when his staff seemed to take fast hold of the
ground, resisting his efforts to draw it out.
But his astonishment may be- imagined when
tho staff, putting forth leaves, in q few mo-
ments was covered with the most beautiful
roses, and voice said" Sooner shall roses
bloom on barren staff than Gods mercy fail
the repentent sinner" Falling upon his knees
in deep humility. the hermit confessed his
fault; and, retracing his steps, he soon was
his prayers. Showing him the rose burdened
staff, he related what had passed, and, taking
the repeutant brother by the hand, he led him
to his humble home, where they two lived id
peace and friendship till death parted them.
They planned the staff before the door, and as
it grew to q beautiful shrub, it was q sweet
reminder that sooner will the barren staff
bring forth roses than Gods mercy fail the re-
pentant sinner"
CANEs.-1n the manufacture of canes great
quantities and varieties of material are con-
sumed. There is scarcely grass or shrub, reed
or tree, that has not been employed some time
or another. The blackthorn and crab, cherry
tree and furz bush, sapling oak and Spanish
reed, are the favorites. Then come supple
jacks and pimentoes from the West Indies. rat
tans and palms from Java, white and black
bamboos from Singapore, and stems of the
bambusa-the gigantic growth of the tropics
from Borneo: Al these must be cut at Ger
tain seasons, freed from various appendages,
searched to discover defects, assorted into