The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-04-02
PLANT A BIRD FEED PATCH

| Maryland, especially Inc AaEmeAnS ~
plant bird feed patch which, IL left
standing, will produce cover as well
as food.
In a great many sections Of Mary
land clean farming has been practiced
to such an extent as to almost ex-
terminate some species Of wildlife,
especially game birds and small
game animals. Some years ago when
the farmers had not cleaned up every
turnrow, fence corner, briar patch.
etc., we found more game inhabiting
those areas than we do on farms
where clean farming is practiced
today.
One of the best evidences of the
beneficial results of the bird FEED
patch is from the report of the Re-
settlement Administration and its
wildlife program on the Eastern
Shore of Maryland, under the super
vision of Kenneth A. Wilson and
Ernest A. Vaughn, Game Technic-
ians.
In the winter of 1885, an abso-
lutte check was made on the numbers
of bob-white, cottontail rabbits, rae
coons and opossum inhabiting the
area, comprising about 1000 acres,
in Worcester County and about 140O
acres in Wicomico County; said
property being owned by the Federal
Government, purchased as submar-
ginal lands.
Through the establishment Of feed
ing stations during the winter OF
1885 (thereby assuring dinner
table for wildlife) and through the
planting Of bird feed patches in the
spring and summer of 1896, a heavy
increase in the population of game
birds and game animals has resulted.
Those gentlemen estimate from their
survey and check-up made in the
fall and winter of 1867, that there
are at present 43 covies Of bobwhite
(totaling 43S birds) on this area.
Comparing these figures with last
years inventory we find an increase
of 1870 in covies and 1870 in indi-
vidual birds. without the question
of doubt this increase applies to
raccoons, opposum and cottontail
rabbits which have been furnished
dinner table through feed patches.
In March, 1897, in checking 3S5
patches, Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Vaughn
report that feed in 800 of them had
been consumed entirely. These feed
patches consisted of buckwheat, soy
beans, cowpeas, clover, corn, rape,
millet and kafir corn; and the rae
coons and squirrels enjoyed the corn;
the cottontail rabbits enjoyed the
rape and soybeans; the bob-white en-
joyed the clover and cowpeas; and of
course all wild weeds found, such as
Beggar Wood, Hogweed, Ragweed,
Wax Myrtle, Pine Mast, Sumac,
Partridge berry, etc.
The farmers in Wicomico and Wor-
cester Counties have become very
much interested in this wildlife pro-
gram and are cooperating 1907.
Mr.. Farmer, we appeal to you to
plant a, bird feed patch any time be-
tween May LIST and July LIST, and
watch the results. BY so doing, you
will not only increase your game sup
ply but also the song birds will be
attracted thereto. These patches
may run from n of an acre to as
large space as you desire and can
be of mixture of kaffir corn, millet,
rape, cowpeas, soy beans, buckwheat,
corn and clover of any variety, black
eye peas, sunflower, vetch, Austrian
peas, and you will find sudan grass
and benne very beneficial.
Benne is grown extensively In the
South and it is claimed to be one of
the very best feeds for birds that can
be produced. The seeds are formed
in pod similar to a small pod OF
okra, and drop to the ground the en-
tire season from time to time, furn-
ishing excellent rich and oily food.
Our directions for sewing are as
follows: Sow in late spring or early
summer to 8 pounds in rows or
broadcast Is to Is pounds and cover
lightly. These paintings should be
made in strips through the fields, and
as near to wooded areas as possible,
or in patches ranging from u to l
acre. 1 personally believe that cow
peas, blackeye peas, soy beans, mil
let, corn and vetch, whether sown as
mixture (thin or separately make
an excellent bird feed patch, and will
be very beneficial to your property to
prevent soil erosion.
E. LEE LeCOMPT,
State Game Warden