Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1875-05-27

Is
Kansas the vast multiplicity 81 grasshop-
pers Is popularity attributed to the whole.
sale destruction Of birds pecially the
prairie chickens. It's estimated that the
prairie chickens killed in northern Kan.
sas annually, to supply the ST Louis and
eastern markets, exceeds 100000. II 10
estimated that one quail or prairie chick
en- destroys not less than 10000 Insects
during season. At this rate those $780,
600 prairie chickens would have destroy.
ed C,00O,OOo,OOO grasshoppers, which
would probably have extinguished the
grasshopper family in that section. But
this wanton slaughter of the insectde.
stroycrs is not confined to prairie chick
ems alone, but extends to al sorts Of birds;
red birds, jays, sparrows, thrushes, lipets,
sparrows, woodpeckcrs, knocking birds,
&C. The result is that the defensive
army of birds has been 50 decimated that
the grasshoppers and other destructive in
sects have got the upper hand, and now,
when it is too late, the farmers are begin
ming to realize what they have lost by per.
hitting the obstruction Of the feathered
protectors Of their crops, and the Kansas
grangers are passing resolutions warmly
acknowledging their obligations to- the
birds as the farmers best friends, and the
most effective destroyer of grasshoppcrs,
and giving notice that they will prosecute
any one found killing birds, and other
wise taking steps to prevent it.
A gentleman in the east who sent asum
of money to Kansas for the relief Of her
destitute people, gave the following advice
along with it: =
Let the people of those western states
take better care of their birds. For years
past they have made a systematic war
against them, and the markets of even the
easter cities have been glutted with
grouse, prairie hens, wilk turkeys, ETC.,
which, if not molested, would have kept
the insects in check. We cannot derange
natures balance of power and not expect
to suffer somehow. A law to prevent kill.
ing any birds in Kansas and Nebraska
for five years would be better remedy
than subscribing money every winter for
these sufferers.
All of which is respectfully commended
to the farmers of Minnesota We should
almost advise the Introduction ofthe most
Vigorous insect destroyer known to the
etomOlogist-the vicious and aggressive
little English sparrow which was brought
over to save the trees and strawberry of
eastern cities and villages from the
swarms of insects which were destroying
them and which did the work SO we'll
that the insect tribe is pretty thoroughly
annihilated, but the objection to this pug
nacious little bird is that he is not only
death on insects but on all the other birds
of more amiablc temperament such as the
robin, blue bird, &c, which are the dc.
light and joy Of our groves and door
yards If the birds with which nature
stocks our prairies and woods are only
let alone they will in a few years be strong
enoug h to constitute permanent frontier
guard against any future raid Of grass.
hoppers, and We trust that the farmers
will at once proceed to take steps not only
TO enforce what Legislation we now have
against the wanton destruction Of prairie
chickens and other birds, but to procure
and enforce additional legislative safe
guards against killing any kind ofinsect
killing biuls.-Pioneer-P Press.