244 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



we can agree upon, but that none should be counted out except those 

 which, after thorough investigation and fair trial, prove to be unworthy, 

 and receive a general verdict of condemnation. 



But how are we to try the experiment on a sufficient scale to give 

 satisfaction? This is a fair question, and the answer to it is the chief 

 proposition I have to bring before your Society at this time. 



Allow the county board or county court of any county, which may 

 desire to do so, to extend our game laws, so far as they relate to birds, 

 over the entire year, leaving no time for a slaughtering period, which is, 

 in fact, but a notification to town and city sports to make ready their 

 shot-guns and hunting outfits by a given time and enter upon a wholesale 

 slaughtering business. 



By giving to county authorities this right, fruit-growing districts may 

 be enabled to bring to the rescue sufficient influence to induce these 

 authorities to undertake the experiment, and thereby we shall be able to 

 determine by actual experiment of a few years what will require the close 

 study of scientists for years to come to determine. 



With this idea in view, I have drawn up a bill amending chapter 6i 

 of the Revised Statutes of 1874, entitled " Game," by adding a section 

 authorizing county courts or county boards, wherever it is desirable to 

 do so, to extend the time prohibiting the killing of birds, even for the 

 entire year, if thought best. 



The amendment also provides that the penalties and other provisions 

 of said statute, so far as applicable, are to be in force with reference to 

 such extended time. This will give the authorities of any county, where 

 the people desire it, the right to prohibit the killing of any of the birds 

 included in the provisions of that statute; and if they will then see the 

 law enforced, the provisions are ample to secure observance. I thought 

 it best to ask this, and nothing more, at this time, and as the matter is in 

 the hands of a Senator, who is also a member of the State Horticultural 

 Society, I hope your Society will pass a resolution urging upon the Legis- 

 lature the passing of said amendment, and send the same to that Senator 

 (Mr. Robison, of Tazewell) to be presented with the bill. I would 

 also suggest that you recommend that the word '■'■deemed,'" in the next to 

 the last line of sec. 3, of said sixty-first chapter, be stricken out, so that 

 the last clause of said section, as amended, will read : " When necessary 

 for the protection of fruits or property." 



I am for action in this matter, and as this measure leaves each section 

 at liberty to adopt, or not adopt, active and efficient means for protect- 

 ing the birds, it will certainly not be unjust to any one. It will afford a 

 means of testing the question ; and if we can get the amendment through, 

 then I trust we can persuade a few counties to adopt it, with the under- 

 standing that they shall give it at least a five years' trial, as less than this 

 would scarcely be a sufficient test. 



I do think the time has come when our farmers and fruit-growers 

 should have the right, if they desire to do so, to say to the city and town 

 sports, idle boys and idle men, who spend their time prowling about the 

 farms and groves, and even the prairies, with shot-guns and dogs, slaugh- 



