TRANSACTIONS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILL. 243 



was something over 3,000 bushels of apples, without as much as one bushel 

 of wormy ones among them ; yet the codling-moth nearly destroyed every 

 apple in some orchards not two miles distant. The writer further states 

 that when a gun was fired in the timber, half a mile distant, the birds 

 would flock to the orchard for protection. 



It is true this experiment has been carried on for but two years, 3'et 

 the results are highly satisfactory, and indicate the importance of giving 

 this matter a fair trial on a more extended scale. Without adding to the 

 list of experiments, I will here call the attention of the Society to a few 

 facts connected with these practical tests, whether on a small scale, as in 

 the case of the Iowa orchardist, or on a large scale, as in the European 

 countries, and not only with reference to the {q\\ instances here men- 

 tioned, but in others which have been recorded, or which may have come 

 under the observation of members : 



1st. In every instance, the indiscriminate slaughter of birds has been 

 followed by an increase of obnoxious insects. 



2d. In every instance, although but few cases can be given, where 

 they have received proper protection the results have been satisfactory. 



3d. That, with few or no exceptions, those who advocate the destruc- 

 tion of birds have never fairly tested the matter by practical experiment 

 on their own grounds. 



4th. That as a rule the satisfactory experiments have been those 

 where protection has been given to all birds. 



The last fact is one of utmost importance in the solution of this bird 

 problem, and, as I believe, furnishes the answer to the question before 

 alluded to, on which this matter hinges. It indicates the necessity of 

 disturbing nature as little as possible compatible with the proper cultiva- 

 tion of the soil. 



The Great King who rules and governs nature, understood thoroughly, 

 when he was preparing this earth for the habitation of man, the laws and 

 forces best adapted to his well-being, and so xDrdained it, that when man 

 made his advent into a new territory the larger herbivorous animals, and 

 the carnivora which preyed upon them, should flee before him ; but the 

 birds, if allowed to, were destined to remain with him, to regale him 

 with their cheerful notes, please his eye with their gaudy plumage, and 

 faithfully serve him in destroying his insect foes. 



The balances and counter-balances between themselves, by the proper 

 proportioning of rapacious, insectivorous and herbivorous species, were all 

 properly made, and should, as I believe, be disturbed as little as possible. 

 The increase of certain insects will bring about not only an increase of 

 the rapacious and parasitic insects which feed upon them, but also increase 

 of those birds which prefer them as food, and close in the wake will fol- 

 low a corresponding increase of those birds of prey appointed to keep 

 these in check. 



With this view, then, as I believe, should experiments be made, 

 destroying none until a fair and thorough trial indicates the necessity of 

 eliminating certain species; or, in other words, to draw an illustration 

 from the politics of the day, not that we should count in none except those 



