The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-02
WORTH THE READING.

WORTH THE READING.
 In late issue of The Market Grow CTS Journal we find this articlev which deals with a subject of wide and gem sral importance to all the people:
 It is well known that there is direct relation between bird life and agri- culture Birds destroy insects. grubs. worms and other things injurious to crops. and thus maintain balance in grubs' are harmful and ali birds do not eat the same thing, so that with intelligence. men may know his bird friends. These should be given protec- ton.
 Some birds eat weeds and perform other service. which makes them of value to the farmer.
 1ndiscriminate slaughter of birds does injury to those who must live from the fruits of the soil. and our laws for protection of bird life should be we'll enforced. This cannot be done interest In enforcement of the laws
 The first step should be to learn what birds are useful and to teach oth- CTS. Every boy should know his friends. from the birds which are of no service. When boys are not taught this. they are little. to blame that they to shoot, It will be better to Instruct boys in bird lore than to punish them Tor doing injury when they do not
 TSe M farmer as should als aSnf see Fhat nqTy hs and the sons of his neighbors know the birds of his country With this knowiedge 1t will be easier to protect without telling him why he Is not to feet.
 There are two points in this article which we consider of special iinpor- tance. especially to farmers, gardeners and horticulturlsrs. The first Is the necessity ,f kno~ing what birds are helpful. and what are hurtful. and the second is that the boys should be taught the wrong of indiscriminate bird slaughter. even in the "open sea- son" The list of useful and helpful birds should be published in the pa- pers occasionally. So that the farmer may know which are his friends, and we think it would be good plan for this knowledge to be taught in the public schools of the country, so that the growing youths may know what birds he may kill without in- jury to plant life.
 It is no longer a matter of theory or speculation that the vast increase of injurious insect life during recent years is due to the thinning out of the various species of birds which are wholly or partially insectivorous in haf Vnf nftrro AoA longer an academic question, but real and vital one. It is strictly in accordance with the laws of nn ture that insects of all kinds multiply rapidly, and the natural consequence Is that certain varieties will soon be- come a pest if not kept down. It is becoming equally plain that mere hI- man effort cannot keep them from multiplying. During recent years tho boll-weevi1 and several other kinds of insects have become an actual and dangerous pest. so destructive in their numbers and habits that they have come to be a serious and vital prob lem to crop raisers. The same may be said of mosquitoes. flies and the oth- CT members of the great Insect family which affiict mankind. and some of which are now known to be disease carriers beyond a doubt.
 Man cannot suppress or obliterate these pests by his own efforts. but the birds can and will do if if given a chance. Insects would not have in- creased to such an extent If bird de- struction had not been so ruthless and indiscriminate in the past. Now that the evil has been done the only course is to remedy 1t as far as possible. This cannot be done thoroughly by even the most drastic of game laws. unless the people generally are made to understand why thess laws are en- acted and why their enforcement Is good for the great majority. If the farming people understood this prop erly, and if the parents and schools would teach 1t to the rising genera ton the good that would come of it would be incalculable.