Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-02-17

diameter. however, II the account is
commensurate with the labor involved
trees of II or Is inches in diameter
will be readily tackled. In fact there
are photos on record of trees of "a and
Is inch diameter having been cut and
claims made for even larger ones
Among the useful purposes which the
beaver has served is that of preparing
for the early settlers in this country
BY cutting down much of the super
huous timber which had il not been for
the labor OF the beaver must needs
have been removed BY the pioneer
himself.
One thing that distinguishes the
beaver from other animals is his fore
sight He is able TO realize that, even
in the heat of midsummer. there vii
come time when he will be pre-
vented from gathering food supplies
ana IN anticipation of his winter needs
he lays up during the late summer and
autumn a sufficient supply 10 maintain
him in comfort during the winter
months when his lodge is encased IN
ice and snow. Thus Nature teaches
many animals, such as the squirrel
and beaver, and many insects such as
the ant and the bee, through instinct
the essential principles of protection
Sometimes the supply of wood suit
able for beaver food becomes scarce
in the neighbprhood of his home; at
other times it is necessary TO set up
his home some distance from their
wood supplies. In such cases the
beaver clears a road from the growth
OF trees to the water. The path down
to the opening in the underbrush is
cleared away, the crooked places made
straight and the rough PAGES smooth.
In o,her cases subsidiary canals arc dug
and the logs are rolled into them and
hoated down to the "old homestead"
The question has often arisen in the
minds of observers why so much in
te'ligence was bestowed by Nature
upon a creature which, in the course
of time, must find its occupation gone.
The best answer to this inquiry is that
the work of the beaver in the past
ages was helpful and perhaps neces-
Sary to the formation of the rich and
fruitful soil that overlies the CONT
nent. Beaver cuttings have been
found at a depth of 80 to 40 feet and it
must have been made at least l,OOO
years ago.
One thing the beaver has perfected
for the security of his home and that
is the system Of mutual protection by
signalling. The work of the beavers
home is we'll distributed and while one
parent is telling a tree, the other may
be carrying food to the home or re-
pairing a dam. The young also help
as soon as they are able. If any
danger threatens the beaver that OBJ
serves it makes for the water and
ing in strikes his trowel shaped tail
on the surface Of the water with a re-
sounding whack that alarms the whole
colony and sends them to shelter until
danger is past. AS far as can be made
out there is perfect omradeship and
unity Of aim among members OF a
beaver colony. For this reason one
might call them socialists or COM
munists because each contributes what
he can to the common good.
The beaver is strictly a vegetarian,
living principally on the bark and
small tender shoots of the poplar, will
low, soft naples and brush Cress and
the leaves Of the water lily are also
much appreciated. All Of these are
easily procured in spring and summer
but the beaver must also provide for
the long northern winter, for he does
not hibernate. When the streams and
lakes are ice bound it is hard pros
pect for the beaver; against these times
of scarcity he must store food The
provisions must be stored in water be-
meath the ice so that they will be
readily obtainable. In order to hold
the fodder in the water beneath the
ice, sticks are first forced in the soft
mud and in through these, branches to
be used fer food are twined. On a
mild, sunny day in winter the beaver
will sometimes venture out OF his
lodging in search Of fresh food which
will either be drawn down through the
opening Of the ice or else concealed in
some convenient spot near by.
During the summer months the skins
of most of our fur bearers are practical
ly worthless. The thick and inc part
Of the fur having been shed as warm
weather approaches, growing again in