The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-06-11
CAN PRODUCE MORE
WTLDLIFE ON THE FARM

called the public's attention to the
fact that clean farming In Maryland,
combined with bitter cold weather
and serious food conditions In the
Spring and Summer have been very
serious set back to our wildlife sup
ply.
Posting of land prohibiting hunt
ing, and stocking programs are not
going to bring back our supply of
wildlife unless we can provide suffic-
lent food and cover. We believe that
the planting of bird food patches In
sections OF our State where the pub
lie has taken an interest in same,
have been beneficial. However,
these bird food patches only supply
Fall and Winter cover and food and
do not furnish what Is needed chiefly
during the Spring and Summer,
namely nesting sites.
Our contention that cover is neces-
sary is thoroughly sustained by
bulletin released by the University
of Wisconsin, which University has
made thorough investigation thru
survey of the bob-white and pleas
ant ranges of the State of Wisconsin
by studying same during the Winter
of 1887. The report is to the effect
that out of 161 bob-white ranges in
vestigated, 91%o; and out of 1870
pheasant ranges, rs 20 were found to
be Inadequate and uninhabitable due
to lack of cover to furnish nesting
sites and food.
Again, / repeat that clean farming
and nature have been much more de-
trimental to the decrease of wildlife
in Maryland than the hunters gun.
OF course, l am aware where covers
were almost impossible to reach rs
years ago. they are very accessible
today through the use of the automo-
bile and over roads which have been
built into what were inaccessible ter
ritories.
Our forests have been denuded of
cover as well as the arabic lands.
Wildlife to propagate naturally In
forest areas must have adequate
ground cover and IL such conditions
are found, naturally you have food
produced from said ground cover.
The University of Michigan recon-
mended the bird food patches to be
composed of the following grains:
Buckwheat 1875 lbs. Preso, Early
Fortune, lbs; Millet, common, As
lbs; Millet, Tennessee German, AS
lbs; Sorghum, Early Amber, S.5
lbs. Sudan Grass, IA lbs; Sunfiow-
er, Mammoth Russian, 3 lbs; Soy
Beans, Ito San, lbs; Cowpeas, New
Era, 85 lbs; Flax, 8.5 lbs; Hemp,
8.5 lbs; Feterita, 3 lbs; and Corn,
Golden Glow, lbs; or total of 100
pounds.
We have found in Maryland that
bird food patches composed of Cow
peas, Soy Beans, Kaffir Corn, Millet,
Buckwheat, Rape, Blackeye Peas,
and Sunflower, sown as mixture,
thin or separate, produce excellent
results.
This mixture is recommended to
be planted the same as corn or beans
in strips from 10 to 20 feet wide
along the edge of cover, especially
wooded areas. II the restoration of
cover methods are practiced on farms
thereby producing nesting sites and
food, without the question of doubt
wildlife can be greatly increased. If
you have a broom sage patch or field,
plow it under and l am sure it will
set in weeds such as the Hog Weed,
Beggar Weed, Rag Weed and other
varieties, which are beneficial as
wildlife food.
The restoration of cover will not
only be beneficial for our Game Birds
and Game Animals but for our song
and insectiverous birds, which, with
out the question of a doubt are the
farmers best friends.
E. LEE LeCOMPTE,
State Game Warden.