Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1913-05-29
PROTECT THE BIRDS.
Editor News:

am influenced by neither senti-
ment nor patriotism in writing this
article. hpt | write it ON condition
of existing facts which would be folly
| for anyone to undertake todeny or dis
pute. My information on the subject
is limited to my own personal obser-
vation and may not, therefore, be
presented in as logical and as force
/ ful manner as the subject deserves.
wish l were able and had an oppOrtun-
ity to speak my feelings, and be un-
derstood, to every man, woman and
child in Tennessee. In State and
Country where we are capable of do
ing and where we actually do great
things, we are prone to forget and ne
glect some things that are apparently
small but which are in reality great.
The protection of non-game birds
means millions of dollars to the farm
ers of this country in insect destruc-
tion and weed eradication. may be
somewhat cranky and over jealous
when | state that it is the height of
ingratitude to watch a catbird satisfy
ber appetite by eating handful of
caterpillars from a choice appletree,
then to take the taste out of her mouth
fit away for ripe cherry or berry of
some kind, and in doing SO get shot -
ingratitude exemplfied by a real trag-
edy-a benefactor and friend slaugh-
tered by him to whom it was sent by
wise Creator to benefit economically,
and to cheer with its message of love
given forth from vocal chords never to
be equalled or approached by the most
accomplished prima donna.
The people are aware as never before
of the cruelty as we'll as the economic
loss involved in the unchecked slaugh-
ter of birds. One of the minor feat
ures Of the Underwood Tariff Bill is to
this end: "The importation of the
feathers, quilts heads, wings, skins or
parts of skins of wild birds, either
raw or manufactured, and not for
scientific or educational purposes is
hereby prohibited. The prohibition
is the favorable response to the hu-
name sentiment of the country and is
aimed to stop traffic in the trophies
of as wanton a slaughter as was ever
perpetrated to cater to the vanity of
humankind.
If the farmers, the school teachers,
the newspapers and other like agencies
would exert their powerful influence
for few years in behalf of these lit
tie friends we could with almost alb
solute assurance feel safe from insect
pests, and instead of the croak of the
frog there would come from the "or-
chard, the meadow, and the deep tang
led Wildwood" melodies which would
excel that of the "babbling brooks" "
styled by poets as Natures sweetest
music.
If protection is not given the same,
in few years there will come from
our woodland and forests deathlike
silence. The boil weevil, potato beet
lie, grasshopper, and all other insect
enemies of the field and orchard will
march unchecked and unhindered, do
ing damage equal to that of all the
droughts, floods. cyclones and lorna
does Think about 1t. This is no idle
dream Let us no longer stain our
selves VITA the destruction of these lit
tie cleatures "God Almighty gave to
bless the lives of men. sit will soon
be too late to repine-the moving fing-
er writes and having writ moves on,
nor all your piety nor wit shall lure it
back to cancal half line, nor all
your tears wash out word of it "
A. L GARRISON,
I hief Feed and Seed Inspector, Depart
ment of Agriculture.