Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-04-03
KIND WORD FOR TOAD.
Department Of Agriculture Takes Up
Cause Of Despised Animal.

y recent bulletin of the department
ol agriculture has taken up the case of
| the toad. dlspelling the host of vague
and ludicrous fancies as to it's
Venoinous qualities, its medicinal yir-
| tues. or most commonly the hidden
toadstone of priceless value"
IouchinG toads, says the bulletin
does not produce warts on the hands
The toad's breath does not eause con.
INuislons in children, nor does toad
Ill a newly dug we'll insure a good and
uhfaihng water supply. nor in a newly
made cellar will one bring nrosneri,'.
70 the household. says the New York
Times. u "
The Massachusetts experiment STA
| .ioti mas been investigating the habits.
lou ana economic value of the toad.
anu the result establishes its claim to
consideration and appreciation. First
VI an as to the longevity of the toad
| 'lie investigators express the oniuion
.''a' many toads reach an age of at
| ,east ~ or 10 years. They also be-
| liefe 1t possible for the toad to live
| iof limited time without food b,ti
uoubt stories about toad being found
IN rocks and trees.
| Inc toad, says the pamphlet. 81.
nocturnal animal. and ventures ort
durlng the day only when temntad h,,
an abundance of food or when the air
Is iutl of moisture. 1t eats onlv ,iv-
ing and moving insects. cent;nedos
etc' AT night, soon after shutdown
or even before on cool eve,incs :.
emerges from its shelter and slow,u
'op@ ABOUT In search or food. <,, =
regular beat is covered. In tbe
No"n.iS this includes forays along
ioaasides, into gardens and cultivated
.ioioS' and wherever insect food ia
aoouhd and grass or other thick
,ieroaee does not prevent locomot;on
,h cities and suburban villages Tho
lawns walks and particularly tbn
| spots beneath electric lamps arc f,,.1
| oilte hunting grounds.
| AS o. rule the toad feeds co,.;
ousiy throughout the night co,,s,,',.;''
III - hours an alnount Of for., 'ins
III bulk about four times ,b, s,o.,sl', .tua'
~ ~ careful examination of
Noii'e'its ot the Stomachs of n
hummer Of toads showed that OK
- lit Vi It's food was animal mat
"oihiS' insects. etc. Eleven nor
'' VI the toad's food is composcd of
insccts a, ana spiders beneficial or in
u.'ectiE helpful to man: 80 per cont
Vi INSECTS and other animals directl,.
inJuiious TO cultivated crops or in
oencr ways obnoxious to man - Il.
.9'i'tlatcd that a single toad destro,.,,
IN year insects which, if tbcv Ma
m'eo' might have damaged crops ,o
tue extent of $50" ~
l ".
10 all agriculturists. tho h,1,o.;,
says. the toad renders consnicun,,s
service but gardeners and greer
nou'e owners may make this arin,.,
y, especial value. Everey gsrdannna
anouid ann to keep a colony of toaas
anohs MS growing crops. and 49,
p,ae'lce OF collecting and transferr;,,o
..,r, ~ .he gardens is commendabIe
mere nave been excellent laws on
10 protect our insectivoro,s
.he pamphlet continues. .wbv
nouiu mere not be stringent lepis,a.
o' AGAINST the destruction of toaaso
merit OF service rendered to man no
.nc standard by which legislation ;s do
.elihihed. the toad presents a raoora
mhich VIII compare favorablv ,,,i.h
that or any insectivorous bikd p,,h,;a
sentiment in matter like this No.,
ever exerts stronger influence tha
legislation, and when tho sar,,,.
this animal are appreciated .ns "
toad receives in our nuhlio ',e
soosni.lon .s similar to that given to
,as D'.us' 'nen we may expect to see a
,h,s oi the wanton destruction of
ohns.a npie Ir servant of man'-Man-
null H