The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-01-11
seeds, the greatest curses to tho far

the passage OF SUCH laws lnaC TIC uSo
and enjoyment of birds and game will
not be confined to any particular class.
1t will deal humanely because it will
insist that no birds or game be killed
unless some distinct good is to be &C
complished; and because it will endeavor
70 save for the coming generations OF
this state the abundant winged life that
means to much to the happiness, pros
pcrity and educational improvement OF
the people.
Birds AVE been killed by thousands
merely for the decoration of women's
hats.
Birds have been slaughtered in count
less numbers to satisfy the greed and
recklessness of p~ot-hunters.
Birds nave suffered severely from the
unchecked increase of cats and dogs.
Birds nave been prosecuted by boys
and other thoughtless persons whose
education in such matters is neglected.
None of these causes that have re-
suited so disastrously to the birds can
be defended in the light of modern civil
l~izatiop. Every one of them Is a form
of inhumanity and criminal wasteful-
ness.
The birds that have been sacrificed to
the millinery fashions nave al immense
ly greater value when alive, as a
means of educating the ear, the eye and
the heart.
The work of the p~ot-huntr has swept
almost out of existence the game birds
"a resource that should have continued
for years a means of moderate recrea'
sion and of variation in the national
diet.
The song-birds and other insectivo-
rous species killed by boy gunncrs are
worth thousands upon thousands of dol
lors to the state in which they are
found. The cotton boil weevil is caus-
ing an annual loss of $15,000,000 TO
the cotton growing districts now infested
with it; the potato beetle cuts out S1O,-
OOO. 900 from the profits on the potato
crop; the cotton worm has been known
to cause a years damage amounting to
$50. O0O, 900. These are the insects that
make up a large part OF the diet OF our
birds!
Who can doubt that it is tin to deal
vigorously with this subject, and who
can afford to overlook the responsibility
that rests on the people OF Mississippi
in this matter. Italy is an example OF
a country largely stripped of its birds,
and the picture that it presents, as de-
scribed by graphic inc faithful writers,
should be sufficient to urge upon the
good citizens of Mississippi immediate
decisive action in this vital matter.
If YOU can't work for the cause, give
a membership due. If you can't spare
a membership due, speak to those who
cau. Be fair to the best interests OF
the state, and do what you can, no mat
ter how little. 1t is a tax, but a small.
one. and the returns will astonish youi
Directed to the recent meeting OF
County Superintendent in Jackson, and
TO all educators directing school work IN
Mississippi:
To superintendent of Education in
Mississippi:
The forestry and agricultural inter
e.ts of the United States suffer an al
nual loss OF ssOO,oOO, 900 from the dep
relations of insects Figures of the De
partment of Agriculture). The killing
of every insectivorous bird means an
addition to this burden of loss. Does the
school boy know it?
Thousands of dollars are spent an
nually in Mississippi to make better
and more efficient citizens of the next
generation. Is the ground covered by
this expenditure if appreciation OF nat
ural resources is omitted from the cur
riculum? Do we spend money to edu-
cate children unskilled in the first prln-
ciples of better care for u feathered
allieef
Are we to wonder at woman's folly
in demanding the slaughtr of birds for
her hats when she has grown up be-
side boys whose only thought OF a BIRD
was to kill it?
If an opportunity to accomplish their
purpose mas ever Dceu PioSCH0eu " 'NN
educators of Mississippi, it comes now IN
awakening better impulses among chill
dren towards birds-friends of agricul-
ture-obiects of many of our whole
soonest pleasures, quickeners of human
observation and intelligence.
Every superintendent in Mississippi
owes it to the teachers and pupils OF
his county to initiate them in the
mysteries and economies of feathered
life. Children deprived of the pleasure
of such study are being injured phys'-
.callv. stunted in their moral natures,
and starved esthetically. Culture,
health and character lie in the study
of nature.
Put your teachers and pupils within
the touch of the bird study and protec-
ton forces in this state. Talk such
matters when you visit your schools;
arrange for them in your courses OF
study, and avail yourselves OF the books
and leaflets planned for the instruction
and entertainment of school children in
matters of this kind.
Finally, call on the writer If he can
assist you. and give him in turn the