Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-17
THE QUAIL AND BIRD PEST.

THE QUAIL AND BIRD PEST.
Mention was recently made i'll the col
ams of the REcoRD-UNIoN as to the damage
done by birds to the grape crop in many of
the foothill and mountain vineyards. A
comparison of notes and observations
made by vineyardists discloses the fact that
the ravages upon grapes has largely been
committed by quails. The blue jays and
other classes of birds also assisted in the
destruction. Some vineyards have been
entirely stripped, and not a grape left to be
gathered. This is probably largely owing
to the almost entire absence this year of
bird food from woods and fields, caused by
the unusually dry season, but should the
festive quail, after having learned from
necessity to raid the vineyards, continue to
do SO hereafter it would no doubt soon re-
suit in the blotting out of this kind of
game. No vine-grower would wish to see
them protected, and very little regard
would be paid to the game law concerning
them. The San Francisco Merchant re-
Gently speaking upon the damage
vintage will be materially reduced
in some sections by the ravages of
the quail, which have done considerable
damage TO the grapes. We learn of many
instances where it has been discovered in
picking the fruit that quarter and even
halfth bunch had been eaten by the birds.
Besides the actual loss of property this
neceSsitates extra care and time in picking
the grapes, which proportionately increases
the expense of the vintage. If this new
pest increases every year, which it assured
ly will, there will be necessity for an
alteration in the game laws, so that the de-
struction to grapes that occurs in the month
before the open season commences may be
p obyiatedn
GENERAL NOTES.
j. E. Cutter, writing to the Press and
Horticultural, says: DR.. Blatchly, of Fresno,
who superintendent the construction of the
large dryer for the K. T. Co., informed me
that the Muscat grape grows larger at
Fresno than here, and stated that they
could produce them that measured three
and half inches in circumference, and
he had found one specimen of three and
three-fourths inches. l have duplicated the
latter-though indeed the woods are mot
full OF them'-snd can find hundreds of
the three and one-half inches size. Several
sample boxes of Fresno raisins that have
seen fail to bear out the claims of superior
ity of size, being certainly not above the
average of what am accustomed to pack.
though they are sent out as samples of
choice, and, presumably, large fruit.
Pasteur's system of vaccination for
anthrax, of which French farmers have so
eagerly awaited themselves, has been most
successfully tried by the Government OF
India ponies, donkeys, COWS, bullocks,
elephants, sheep and guinea pigs having
been effectaally protected against fatal at
tacks of that destructive disease. A lab
oratery for the manufacture of the vaccine
has been located at Bengal, and, if success
full, will be followed by similar establish
ments in other centers. A veterinary sur
geon was some time ago sent to study with
Pasteur, and it is recommended that Others
receive similar instruction.
David Dunn, Sr., of Contra, Colony, has