Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-01
CONNECTICUT CROWS.
Smart Farmer Morse Found a Way to Cir
Cumvent Them.
XYashIngton PostD

Nobody can explain IL, DHt every FARMER
in the Naugatuck and HousatOnic val
lcys has noticed IT. that the crows are
mighty scarce this fan Western Con
uccticut has been the crows paradise
ever since the original three black crows
sat on a limb, and 1t Is estimated that
they have done more damage in dollars
and cents. 20 say nothing OF the damage
10 the farmers morals, than would suffice
to put every so-called "abandoncd' farm
in good condition again, patch up all
broken fences, and almost build good
roads In place OF the present cart paths
In this section OF the state.
Crows are the farmers natural enemy
From early spring. when they dig up the
newly planted corn faster than he can
replace il. until late I'm the fan, when they
svipe his grain, they prey on the honest
hard working agriculturist ana no device
yet invented can prevent it. Crows are
smart. saws an AusOnia Comm dispatch
% the New York sun. The owl may be
tho symbol Of wisdom, but for downright
Yankee smartncss the crow IA at the head
az the PROCESSION. leading the band cven
An incident that happened up in Wood
hurry some time ago will prove this. Farm
or Morse had planted his Cornheld, ana
was concentrating himself that with the
right kind Of weather he would have a
big corn crop this fall But the crows
had something to say about that, ana,
calling "a council Of war In the neighbor-
ing lot. they decided that Farmer Morse
corn was about suited TO their taste, ana
thcv proceeded 10 dig up the whole ficld.
There were. according To Mr.. Morse's
own statement. "nGh onter thousan'
OF the burned sucakin' crows. and they
made mighty quick work Of clawin' up
MY corn
But the farmer was a man Of resources.
He was patient. too. SO he went TO work
=, circumvent the crows. He built a sort
~ hut Of brush in thu center Of his corn
foli. loaded up the old musket he had
1rourbt home from the war. and, carry
ing i, 10 the hut. made his plan ready
Tbon with his men he planted the field
ov,.r again. and early next morning went
to his ambush ready to slaughter all crows
that came within reach of the gun. AS
Doc went into the hut the crows were AZ
ono end of the field. As soon as they sa"
him one Of them gave loud cav ana
.r-a whole flock flew away. but alighied
within sight OF the ambush. fdiHlri
NIors. remained Crdmpct-up III the bIuah
Itlp until the diuner-horn Souhu''' "1'
MOT "a CROW, came near the field. When ne
Iroped out feeling, as he told MS WIG
.,. if the DANCED ole rumateT OF last
winter h.l come back asin,' every crow
,p tr. flock settled down in the hcId anu
y..rt to work ON the hills Of corn Mr..
Ainr4o returned AGAIN after dinner ana re-
a,,r,.I his vigil. but every crow ilrW away
add would NOT return until ne had left
tb. hui al dusk % go his milking. TINS
,l,o vas continued for three days. ana
fh.. lnu~ket had not been aimed AT q SiH-
Gle crow. because there were 10 .I'"7
AfItY 81
within reach It seemed 10 Farmer MOI
as though they knew he was 'here' anu
that ne meant TO 90 them harm
Finalv a bright idea struck him. lie
,.,'r.,.gJed Mrs. Morse to put on suit
Of his old clothes and come out 10 III,
amt after she had skinned the mix ana
,.,,,i.i tho breakfast dishes. lie was
o. On ont a little ,-arlier than usual anu
t,la M his place I'm the amhuSciut'
Then Mrs Morse, after resting Spt"'
WIS 10 return - the house, ana 'he r.
..I, ~ hia scheme would be known. lie
t,1 reasoned that the crows. having soIh'
e.usa Of numbers. would see her go lhlu
m. hut AMI would iy away. Iheh Wn'n
they saw her so out they W"ulN ''''','
th. coast was clear and would come
.t Vbc scheme was success. MIS-.
Morse came out O. the bush ana REMAIN
, 'ittla while. during which time hot d
~. v.,s I'm sight. Then she returned 10
the hons. to take OF the awkward gar
mouts. ,,..,... .Ne
the crows saw her and believing 'n'
coast clear much earlier than usual ~
ma down within a few feet oi the eaE,'
,..',nr tie let them get well To Wofk
when ban went the old Springfield mus.
tst ana t. fat crows lay dead in the
corr~-ld. with a dozen more HopPl"r
....,,d unable to ny. The Nsson was u
ea,sr. one. but IT was well learned. far-
,,or Morse put up wcll-conducted DUN,
nv in the field, placed broomSuck at q
make ready" position in ms hanas' an, an,
bis corn was not disturbed again tha'
.,,,rar This fan be had an enormous
nut the question. what has become o.
an m. crows" is stui unanswered. ar
rners hy the score have been asK'd 10 ~, Vei
me reason. hat not one can answer iheS
sav. "purncd if ! know. They ain mere
and I don't know e2 | care where 'i'S
air If they only stay there.