Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-06-24
Birds and Trees.
TRAVELLER

Many causes nowadays are tending to
bring men into closer fellowship than
heretofore. Foremost among them is
science. Science belongs to no particular
cline or country. 1t ignores political
boundaries and national divisions there is
nothing in it that is either sectional or
sectarian. 1t enlists mems sympathies on
behalf of a sublime object which benef-
ciallv reacts on their dispositions. They
who work together in the search after
truth learn to think well of each other.
and to feel kindly International scienti-
fic conventions are especially instrumental
in promoting friendly relations and bring
inc to light community of interests which
cannot but be favorable to the furtherance
of general good harmony and good will
One of the latest of these was held re-
Gently in the capital of Austria. Its OBJ
iect was to take action, or to prepare the
ground for future action, on questions of
agricultural and forest economy, interest
inc alike to all nations Delegates from
almost every part of Europe were present,
and among the various subjects considered
and discussed were two which are sugges-
tive, and important enough to command
general attention.
The first relates to measures for the
efficient protection of birds useful to agri-
culture. Appropriate Legislation and the
supervision of the state were considered
the best means Of securing this end. DR..
Brehm. however, remarked that another
method for preserving insectiverous birds
from destruction would be to extend Il
knowledge of them among the people and
to make thoroughly known the services
they render to agriculture. He proposed
to have work on natural history publish
ed, to which the most competent scientists
and the best artists should contribute, and
which should treat of the animals and
plants of each country. He also pointed
TO the necessity of preserving certain strips
of forests where birds are in the habit of
finding a precious and indispensable refuge
After a lively debate, it was decided by
the convention that it should be absolutely
forbidden to catch and kill insectiverous
birds-a complete list of which is to be
drawn up by an international commission
that the war even on graniverOus birds be
prohibited from March l to Sept. -; that
the sale of inscctiverous birds, dead OF
alive, be always forbidden, and that care
full watch be kept for that purpose by the
superintendent and police of public
markets.
L
! by which the ever-increasing devastation
of forests may be checked and stopped.
Every country needs a certain extent OF
wood land, not only to secure the necessary
supply of timber. but also in order to enjoy
Il regular climate and temperature. 1t is
therefore necessary to ascertain what mini
mum of timbered land is indispensable tC
every region The information should be
sought from an international point of view
since the destruction of trees in one coun-
try is liable to produce in furious conse
Quences to the fertility of another. The
preservation Of forests, too, has a specia
international importance near the head
waters and on the banks of large rivers
where it prevents too great variations il
the depth of the water, the caving in o
embankments. the inundation of cultivated
land, and similar accidents.
These subjects are practical, and worthy
of careful consideration. There is scarce
ly any country where training of the peO
pie in regard to them, and regulations fol
guidance, are more needed than in this
An indiscriminate and inhuman war ha:
been waged for years on the birds of ou
fields, while the area of our wood lands
has been dealt with in the most reckless
manner. 1t is time, therefore. to discon
time this course of wanton destruction
and an attempt at devising proper RENE
dies should not pass unnoticed.--Nea
York Times.