Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-03-30
Shepherdswn Jefferson Thursday
My Friend, The Toad.

| y ihC
will acknowledge at the outset that
met my friend, the toad, by accident
That Is, he came into my rock garden on
prospecting tour, no doubt, and while
resting on log in shady nook, intro
duced himself by a peculiar sound. 1t
was just at dusk, so seating myself on
rustic bridge made up my mind | would
study his movements.
One couldn't brag OF his beauty. unless
the squareness of his figure should be
considered. He was big fellow and
when he numbered off the log he landed
on his head. Surely, thought |, he hasn't
much in the way OF brains. Picking
himself together, he cautiously moved
toward the carnation bed.
For period OF five minutes or more he
remained motionless. Suddenly, out shot
his tongue with lightning-like rapidity
and a juicy cutworm bid goodbye to
friends and earthly scenes.
"Fine boy" said, under my breath.
had tried in every manner possible TO
rid this bed OF cutworms. Almost as
fast as transplanted the carnations from
the propagating boxes they moved them
down. II was now my pleasure TO see
four OF these worms pass into the world
beyond, before darkness scoveredthe toad'S
movements.
Next evening looked long and hard
before discovered him squatting under
the cucumber leaves. Two years in sue
cession the bugs had ruined my vines.
My love for this edible was the only
thing that encouraged me 10 try it again
this year. II was, therefore, some salts
faction when | noticed the old fellow
picking off the pests.
Coming over meadow bog few
evenings later, found another good sized
toad which | conveyed 10 my garden.
In order to encourage the toadS TO re-
main, built cement basin two feet wide
by three feet in length. AT the sides
set out few shade-giving plants. In
the center few rocks were arranged.
This, when filled with water, made avery
attractive spot for the toads.
Before many days there were at least a
dozen toads in the bog Where they
came from no one could say.
My garden, which had been overrun
with insects for two years, now became
healthy. twas a Joy 10 see leaves for
once free OF the usual insect perforations.
Slug and bug eXterminators were no long
er brought into service. The toads at
tended TO that part OF the work.
One evening neighbor accidentally
killed one with his lawn mower. Here's
our chance" suggested, "to prove how
great service the toad renders"
1t had ravenouS appetite that much
knew, but OF its real worth was in
doubt.
We soon had The contents ofthe stomach
spread out on board. Such an array OF
pests is seldom seen.
There were cutworms, caterpillars,
thousand legged worms, beetles, cock
reaches, sow-bugs, cabbage worms,
moths and cucumber beetles. A snail,
and slug an inch and half long. All
told we counted forty-six noXious insects,
besides flies and few small bugs.
That settled the question as 10 whether
the toad was friend to mankind. Hence
forth, he deserved our projection and
would receive it.
Talking with another man short time
later, he stated that he had counted under
the microscope, in his laboratory, twelve
cutwormS, six caterpillars, four SOW bugs,
nine cabbage worms, with a few mosqui-
toes, in the stomach OF toad.
My garden is free OF pests. My plants
healthy. have only the toad 10 thank
| for il.
This article has an object; namely, to
urge all to protect the toad. Encourage
1t 10 live in your garden by building
small bog pond, near which arrange
few slabs and rocks as ashady rendezvous
on hot summer days. With this encour-
agement one can soon bid goodbye 10
insect troubles.
Toads have a strong homing instinct.
A gardener tells OF having had two in his
garden for more than eight years.
A heavy tax has always been levied by
pests. The toad is now proving itself an
efficient check TO insect multiplication
and ravage. BY his good works may he
be better known
We have our game laws and our bird
laws. Hasten the day when We shall
have such protection TOR our friend
the toad
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