Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-01-30
Feed The Game.

Scientific investigations carried on in
every State in this Union have thoroughly
proven that the aericulturists, orchardists
and those interested in the growing of
forests are compelled by nature to have the
presence of birds, game, song and insec-
tivorous. to assist in combating the insect
pests which prevail on this continent.
Therefore, to assist in the growing Of crops.
fruit and forest, we appeal to those inter-
ested at this time to cooperate with us in
trying to save all beneficial species of bird
life, whose presence is very necessary to
our existence. Sportsmen's organizations.
teachers and pupils of the public schools,
rural mail carriers, boy scouts and other
similar organizations have for the past few
years very heartily co-operated with US
in carrying out our winter feeding program.
The drought of 1929-30 has very seri-
ously affected our wildlife supply. not only
in Maryland but throughout the entire con-
tinent east of the Rocky Mountain Range.
1t becomes very necessary that we use every
effort possible to save the remnant of Wild
life left within our State to furnish our
brood stock for the coming propagating
season. The drought has caused very
serious shortage of natural feed. covers are
barred and weed seeds which are very in
furious to the farmers crops and on which
our game and song and insectivorous birds
feed. are scarcer than they have been in
the covers of Maryland for years.
There are numerous methods which can
be used by the farmers. which are mex
pensive but very effective. Feed stations
composed OF a trestle bench at each side
OF which corn stalks should be set in teepee
style, affOrding shelter, each end open to
allow entrance and exit in case of attack,
is very effective method. A barrel with
Doth ends knocked out, suspended from an
overhead limb or placed on a stationary
post, in which grain is placed. becomes
very suitable dinner table for the birds and
assures US they cannot be attacked by YER
min. Another very effective method is to
tie arouud the bottom of trees corn stalks
from which the corn has not been husked.
the ears suspended downward at a dis
lance from the ground which can be
reached by wildlife. One of the very best
methods is to either leave corn standing
on the stalk, breaking the stalks so the ear
will hang down within reach or to shock it
leaving open spaces at the bottom. This
method not only furnishes adequate feed
for the birds from the unhusked corn but
the opening at the bottom of the stalks
assures them shelter from the weather.
the counties of our State to furnish scratch
feed, corn, wheat. rye, buckwheat, oats, or,
in fact, most any kind of grain, any of
which furninh nutriment and a well-fec
bird can stand bitter cold weather, where
as when they are underfed, they die very
quickly from exposure.
The agriculturists, orchasdists and those
interested in the growing of forests need
the presence of birdlife three hundred and
sixty-tive days a year, if possible, while
the hunter is permitted only about forty
days season to hunt the game birds and
unless the public in general responds to
our appeal. the agricuturists will not re-
ceive the benefit of the presence of the
birds and the hunters of our State cannot
expect a bountiful supply of game when
they 60 afield during the season of 1881.
We appeal to the city jewellers who can,
by placing suet and grain around their
homes in suitable places, attract the song
and insectivorous birds, which species are
very beneficial and are self-appointed
guardians of our lawns and flower beds.
We advise trying to locate the birds which
have been frequenting around your prop
erty and place the feed at that point.
After the birds once learn that an unseen
hand is furnishing them their daily feed,
they will return to partake of it.
The Game Division of the Conservation
Department of Maryland. through the Dis
trict Deputy Game Wardens of the twenty
three counties. will gladly furnish feed
gratis to those interested who are not able
or willing to provide it. The clerk of the
circuit court of your county can inform on
the name of the district deputy game war
den of your county.
E. LEE LECOMPTE,
State Game Warden of MARYLAND