The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-07-26
FEAR
MOTH I'll AGUE
tRALLYgEoR BIRD cEHcK-AUDU'
BON WORKERS HEAD NEW
MOVE

7 - aa -
NEW YORK, July 26.-AlarmedF by
the invasion OF the gypsy and brown
tail moths into this State from New
England, where their ravages have
cost the people many millions OF dol.
lars. thousands OF leaders among the
agricultural communities OF every sec,
ton of the country are today joining
movement 10 ward OFF this crop
plague by protecting the birds that
serve as Its greatest check. Acting
upon this emergency demand from the
farming Interests. the National Associa-
tIun OF Audubon Societies mas estab-
lishhd national. information bureau
at t41 Broadway from which instruc-
tIonh for preserving and increasing the
numbers OF the insect-eatinE birds are
being distributed throughout the coun-
try. III every American who Is inter-
ested In the crop wealth of the land
will Join this campaign OF practical
education at once. 1t Is declared by en-
tonloloEicaI experts here. there may
be some hope OF averting the moth
plague which now threatens to sweep
the continent.
Three main lines OF work have been
projected today by the leaders In this
movement on behalf OF the country's
agricultural interests. Sentiment In
favor of the protection OF birds Ia to
be crystnllized. comprehensive and
drastic laws to this end enacted and
every possible means used to attract
birds and thus Increase their number
to combat the insect crop pests. Every
State. county and town where proper
protection OF the insect-enting bir'ls
has not been provided or whose bird
r. ryf1 fol
prey to the costly ravages OF the
spreading moths. It is shown. Failure
to take up an active campaign such rs
is proposed can only be unhone In tho
face of the moth plague by years OF
hard labor and millions OF dollars OF
tho taxpayers money. 1t has been
proved by the government and State
authorities. 81 .il,
The Empire State Is today mhssing
a great force of experts near Port
Chester. where these insect pests have
Just Crossed the border line on their
way west. III this advancing column
Is not checked 1t will cost the people
many millions OF dollars i'm the near
futre to make pu for the depletion OF
its wild birds. due to years of lax laws.
1t Is estimated. In other states In the
nath OF this pest. where little leEisla-
ton exists to prevent the slaughter OF
insect eaters, campaigns are already
ON foot to rouse the enop1c to the seri-
BUSINESS of the situation. For years
the millinery interests have prevented
the farmers from securing real bird
protection I'm New York State. 1t 10
pointed ont. and now the whole Con:'
monwealth must pay the penalty.
EVERY American who cares for the
preservation OF the nations ngricu1tur.
al wealth will find us ready and glad
to tell him what he can Ito to help in
this emergency" said William Dutch
err. President of the National Assocla'
tion OF Audubon Societies. mt its head
u-arters. 141 Broadwyn. today. wild
birds Gun be attracted by erecting suit.
nbla bird houses and In this way In
creaslnE the number of birds in Civ
en- locality. Birds will eb found far
moro effective remedy to prevent the
increase OF these two insect pests than
any othr means that ran be employed.
The late Baron Won Berlepscn. on his
estate OF 800 acres at Seebach. in the
District OF L.nnEensa1za. In ThurlnEIa.
experimental along these lines for
thirty years with the most phenomenal
success. A history of this exnerlment
was published In German. 1t has been
translated into English and may be OBJ
tanned for few: cents from this nsso-
cintinn. The fecundity OF the gypsy
and brown tail moth is wonderful. ami
therefore every possible effort should
be made to stamp otn every colony OF
them that IL discovered in this State
or any other part OF the United States
before these pests can spread"