The Mankato free press., 1906-12-14
etc, healthy crop. being ofttimes proof
against such pcstilences.
Destruction of Birds.

- Destruction of Birds.
The warnings sent out by the United
States agricultural department, and also
from several of the New England expert
ment stations, regarding the gypsy moth
and the brown-t tailed moth, which are
rapidly extending over larger fields of
depredations should be needed by all
who are interested in the destruction of
the enemnies of crops. The rapid increase
of insect pests in orchards and gardens
entails an enormous expense upon the
farmers of this country, and yet it is
possible that the farmer himself is at
fault to certain extent by assisting in
the destruction of animals and birds
that would perform valuable service for
him if permitted. Beasts and birds OF
prey are sufficient to prevent any al
arming increase of many of the enemies
that are capable of doing harm, but near
ly all bipds are carnivorous to some ex-
tent, as they can, sitbsist on animal food.
Birds prey upon worms, and the natural
increase Of all kinds Of insects would
soon render the earth uninhabitable by
man but for the assistance given him
by the creature which he so ruthlessly
destroys without regard to future con
sequences. AS the forests are. cleared
the, destructive. animals and birds are
driven away or restricted in, their ca
pacity to do harm, but man seems to be-
come himself d beast of prey and want
only destroys for the pleasure of so do
ing He considers certain animals as
game" the hawk and owl being always
regarded as his foes. He adopts the dog
and cat, the latter being more destruc
tive to birds than any other animal, as
it is not only active and somewhat noc-
turnal in habit, but also climbs trees.
Some of the carnivOrous birds are among
the most useful known, as they seek
their food where field mice and ground
insects abound The little damage done
by them is not worthy of consideration
compared with the service performed.
Exercise Wire for the Dog.
Dogs, especially settlers, pointers and
other hunting animals, as well as fierce
and unruly ones, need to be kept chained
most of the time, the hunting dogs to
prevent them from straying away, gen.
loro Ix, 4 ,oh4
ing or endangering the safety of people
coming on the premises. To keep dogs
on chain constantly. preventing them
from getting ch-needed exercise, is
cruel and prejudiced to their health, and
1T also serves to make cross dog SO
much more unruly and dangerous as to
frequently necessitate having him killed
There is a very practical and easily con-
structed method of overcoming the diff
Guilty and still restraining the dog of his
liberty.
stout post is securely planted along
side of the doghouse, having, about Is
inches of it above ground. Another post
is then securely planted about 100 feet
distant, and a stout telegraph wire
stretched tight between the two posts and
securely fastened. The chain is attached
to the wire with a sliding ring, and the
other end to the collar on the dog The
dog soon gets to understand the arrange
ment, and will soon have a pathway
worn along the entire length of the wire,
OH both sides, in his scampers.
To prevent fouling of the chain at the
far post, attach a support, which will
enable the chain to slip over and into
place readily
The location of the wire run can be so
arranged as to permit the dog to guard
both the front side or back of the dwell
ing, as well as the gate, though much
over 100 feet will make it difficult to
make and keep the wire from sagging
under the strain of a good sized dog