The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-06-19
Iron.-Ex-Sheriff Thomas has, after con-

siderable prospecting, struck what he be-
lieves to be, and what has every appearance
of being, a valuable bed of iron ore. The
ore is very heavy, and from the surface
down as far as the several pits have been
sunk-which are not deeper than five or
six feet, the metal shows in abundance.
This bed was found on the west side of Red
Hill not far from the top, i'll the midst of a
dense laurel thicket by Mr.. Thomas about
last Christmas. Since he has been making
examinations by sinking small pits in sew
eral places, he has discovered where holes
have been formerly dug, and filled up; and
there is a report that an ore prospector,
who is quite an old man and now resides
among the miners on Iron Hill, was en-
ployed some years ago to examine Red Hill
for iron, by an extensive iron manufac-
turer, who proposed to lease or buy the
property. The old man asserts that he
found good ore, but the principal and the
owner of the property failing to agree about
leasing the same, the holes were filled up
and the enterprise abandoned, the secret
of the ore bed remaining with the miner
who had discovered it.
Mr.. Thomas is very confident that he has
found a valuable bed of iron ore, and is
making arrangements to put up washing
machine and commence taking out ore as
soon as revival of the iron business will
justify an enterprise of the kind. We
brought small lump of the ore home with
us, which may be seen at our office. There
is plenty of the same metal where this lump
was picked up. OF the quality of iron we
do not pretend to be a judge, but if this
specimen proves to be valuable in quality,
to all appearance it is abundant in quantity.
Oxford Fair.-The Oxford fair, held on
| Thursday and Friday of last week, was
very successful, the managers report
the ground. The horse show was also
large; 1875 fine animals being on exhibition,
some of the colts finer than at any previous
fair in the place, which is encouraging, as
indicating the improvement that is being
made in breeding horses. The racers at
tracted much attention-they always do
and numbered twenty-five. The display of
vegetables, fruit and flowers were not up
to former seasons, owing to the backward
ness of the Spring.
| William Armstrong, of Fair Hill, receiv-
ed the second premium for single carriage
horse. Amos Martindell, agent for l. F.
Vanarsdale of Zion, received first premium
for scarlet strawberries, also first premium
on peas. Some other of our Cecil county
horticulturists received premiums for small
fruits. Mrs. l. F. Vanarsdale was awarded
the first premium on cut roses; and Miss
Nellie Oldham, daughter of r. E. Oldham,
of College Green, the first premium on
hand bouquets. The first floral design to
nu1serymen was awarded George Bladder
sten, of Colora. The first prize to amateur
of floral designs was awarded Miss Nellie
Oldham. This was very pretty design,
comprising a cross, anchor and harp
There were several other floral prizes
awarded Cecil county ladies. Jos. Gracy,
of this county, was awarded the third prize
for his mare Belle among the four-minute
horses. William Armstrong; Gypsy Maid
received the second prize of $50 among the
ESQ horses. The same mare won the first
prize in the three-minute race. The at
tendance at the fair on Friday was quite
large. The receipts exceeded $4,000.
The Relative Merits of Our Insectivor.
GUS Birds as Worm DestrOyers-The OBJ
servations Of Natnralist.-A gentleman
of this town who is close observer and
an enthusiastic naturalist, has for some
time past been giving attention to the
several families of birds which have built
in the trees and shrubbery on his grounds.
To the cat bird he awards the palm of
being the most Industrious and successful
worm destroyer of all the birds which have
come under his observation; which were
the cat bird, chipping sparrow, wren and
the English or house sparrow. The rela-
tive merits of these birds as worm eaters
rank as follows, according to his observa-
ton: The cat bird would destroyed ten
worms while the chipping sparrow would
devour three, and the wren two. The
English sparrow was not observed making
meal of single worm. While these
investigations may not detract from the
fame of the English sparrow as an insec-
tiverous bird, for we believe he commits
the greatest ravages in the Winter season,
by seeking out and devouring the eggs and
larva of insects found in cocoons and de-
posted in the crevices of the bark of the |
trees, they place the cat bird foremost as
Summer insect eating bird. This bird is a
very docile, almost domestic bird, and is
ever fond of being about the habitations
of man. He builds in the garden, yard or
lawn, wherever a suitable bush or tree
offers convenient place for his nest. He
is also one of the most lively, prying and
industrious members of the feathered fam
lily, and may be seen from early morning
to dusky eve searching among the leaves
and grass of the yard or lawn for his
favorite food.
Parents should teach their children to
respect and protect this little friendly
visitor of our gardens and hedge rows.
He is one of the farmers and gardeners
best friends, and is, all the time of his
Summer sojourn with US, busy devouring
worms and insects which prey upon and
destroy the fruit and grain.
While on this subject we state that we
heard of a little boy few days ago who
climbed up to the nest of chipping spar
row and destroyed the eggs, breaking up
the nest; and his thoughtless, indulgent
mother encouraged him in this evil bust
ness, She did not know that this act of
her boy subjected her to fine of not less
than So with costs. The law was enacted
by the last Legislature and we publish it
here for tie information of both people
and officers, and warn all violators to
beware:
AN ACT
TO PROTECT CLASS OF SMALL BIRDS
KNOWN AS INsECTIvoRoUs BIRDS IN
BALTIMORE COUNTY AND CECIL COUNTY.
SECTION 1. BE it enacted by the Genera!
Assen'bly Of Maryland, That it shall be
unlawful hereafter for any person at any
time to shoot, or otherwise kill, or injure,