The record-union., 1893-03-07

Fruit and Vegetables-The South
American Tree Tomato - Farm
Items.
Nature seems to have established an
imperative law between birds, insects
and grain, on the principles of more
birds the less insects and more grain, or
more insects less birds and grain; and on
a rule that birds shall equal the supply of
insects and grain; and, more insects less
grain.
The insect creation feed on plant and
plant products, and birds feed on insects
mainly and plant products secondly.
When the natural supply of insects
fails, birds must necessarily resort TO
grain to supply the deficiency of food.
1t has been a beautiful observation how
the native pigeons used to fly over the
entire continent, following after the
tribes of insects. They have been seen
flying over woodlands and alighting
down on one side of the cleared region,
walking breast to breast across the fields,
and eating all insects as they marched to
the next woods, and so clearing farms OF
grasshoppers and bugs as they proceeded.
Where there was grain above ground 1t,
of course, was more or less consumed,
but where that was left after narrowing
or drilling it would do the farmer no
good; hence he could not complain.
Birds regulate the equilibrium of in
sects. Most all insects do large amount
OF good to plant production by mixing
pollen in the flowers, making honey, and
causing thinness where plants would
otherwise overbear crops of small and
worthless fruits and seeds. The Creator
regulated insect, bird and grain products
aaFth hat hal
other one. Men may destroy the birds
because they are large, but, with all their
poisons and insect-catching machinery,
they will never destroy the little, pesti
ferrous insects: therefore, let the birds
live.
\ farmer in this place had forty five
acres sowed in wheat, and it was coming
up, and the grasshoppers were Matching,
aud eating it and that of the neighbors
about as fast as it came up. All at once
came along from the North A very large
drove of black birds that alighted over
the helds, and that farmer felt happy.
All other farmers about him shot and
scared the birds away from their farms,
and, as there was prairie pond (swale)
on the mans farm, where the birds would
fly and alight rs place of protection, the
farmer would let them stay on his farm,
and the results were plainly seen next
harvest. The results were that this
farmer got very full crop Of wheat, and
his neighbors got from half crop to
nothing. This farmer estimated that the
drove of blackbirds saved 500 to him on
his wheat crop.
Another year farmer had forty-seven
acres in corn, and large drove of Eng
Hsh sparrows was seen flying over and
alighting on the corn about silking time.
/ went and diligently examined ihe sit
full OF black bug, eating Off the silk,
and many on the ground and crawling
up on the stalks. These birds lived
about the field until about all the bugs
were eaten and then flew away, and
there was an extra crop Of corn. This
same field was sown in wheat, and the
grasshoppers ate one-half 1t was then
Sown in clover, and 1t was cut early that
ii might seed well; but the grasshOppers
hatched out by millions, ate off the
leaves, and there was 10 seed produced:
where, If they had been no grasshoppers,
or, ifthere had been birds to have eaten
the choppers" there would haye been
al least 500 worth of clover seed raised.
Here are three instances that | have per-
sonally observed, and know to be facts,
and they are conclusive evidence that
birds do millions of dollars worth Of good
20 the American horticuiturists and agri-
culturists.
Any observable person may learn the
facts that the birds are the natural and
best destroyers of pestiterous insects, and
unless lldluIS ; BlIUS are DbIiIlillGtl 10 III
crease, the devouring insets will increase
and destroy more OF the vegetable and
farm products.
If birds in some cases eat a small guam
tity of vegetables and grain and fruit,
while they are in pursuit OF worms and
insects, they are more profitable for
feathers and food than worms. When
birds become too numerous If ever it
should be- they can be eaten for food to
diminish the number.
y drove of pigeons have been known,
like black birds, to clear a farm OF grass
hoppers and other farm pests. While
birds are raising their young ones and
remain in the Northern regions, they de-
YOUR the largest portion of insects yearly.
Henry Hurd in Cincinnati Commercial
Gazette.
MAKING THE FARM PAY.
From the standing of an old farmer O.
many years experience, it seems to me
that the question of making the farm pay
may be covered by a few terse rules care.
fully lived up to. Here are few thai
have been evolved from my experience
saws correspondent of the Gettysburg
l. A small farm well titled is more re-
munerative than a larger one poorly
titled.
,. The increase in yield from crops wei
planted and tended more than repays tht
extra time spent in preparation. Crop!
>
lost time if well fed and cared for.
3. No professional man can make hi!
calling success if but half-hearted, Civ
ing but portion of his time and though
to 1t. a farmer is no exception to thi
rule.
i. This is an age of modern improve
ment and progress. New ideas and meth
DDS are coming to the front. Don't do a
your grandfathers did, but learn tina
there is something new under the sun.
D. No COW should receive aught but tn
gentlest OF care and usage. Any one o
us viii do more for a friend than for al
enemy. So will a cow. She will give
larger quantity of milk to a kind ant
considerate mixer than to a harsh an,
brutal one. Remember that every tim
YOU add TO the comfort of the COW, yol
increase the flow of milk, not only theo
retically but practically. The quality G
the milk obtained, not only through ju
dicious feeding, but through cleanly bed
ding, from first TO last, is everything il
the quality of the butter obtained.
Is. in feeding keep three ends IN view
viz: To maintain the animal heat, t.
contribute to the growth of muscle an,
bone, and to increase the flow OF milk
Foods containing carbon do the first
Ill, - It.