STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 59 



So vast a number of insect-destroying birds have been 

 removed, so extensive is the modern exchange between coun- 

 tries, and so carefully is every corner of the world being 

 searched for new and hardy varieties of fruits, that we may 

 expect at any time to be overrun by new insect pests from for- 

 eign lands ; for every importation of stock is likely to have upon 

 it another insect to destroy vegetation. Indeed we have in our 

 State today two foreign species, the gypsy and brown-tail, either 

 one of which seems possessed of potential ability to defoliate 

 entirely every orchard and shade tree in New England. 



So widespread is the fear of insect devastation, and so uni- 

 versal is the belief in the interdependence of the kindred sciences, 

 entomology, ornithology, and botany, that the Biological Survey 

 of the Department of Agriculture at Washington is co-operating 

 with state governments, in endeavor to maintain a balance 

 between the vegetable and animal kingdoms. 



As a result of all this study, every effort is now being made 

 to protect, encourage and foster the native bird population of 

 the land ; scientists are studying the life histories of plants and 

 animals ; Audubon societies and nature study clubs are collect- 

 ing facts of great value, while the societies of national scope are 

 scattering broadcast the results of intensive study along particu- 

 lar lines ; the schools have taken up the work, and the President 

 himself is not averse to throwing a club at the man he deems a 

 nature fakir. The utility of birds in suppressing outbreaks of 

 injurious insects, by massing in enormous numbers at the point 

 of attack is beginning to be understood, and the wanton destruc- 

 tion of the species beneficial to man is now restricted in every 

 state. 



It is my purpose to recall something of the destruction caused 

 by a few of the insects most injurious to the fruit industry, and 

 then show the great work done by birds in keeping these insects 

 in check. 



San Jose scale, aphids, bark lice, currant worms, grape vine 

 moths, chinch bugs ! Where shall I begin ? "The annual loss 

 in the United States from the chinch bug alone," says Dr. 

 .Howard, "cannot be less than $20,000,000," and the total value 

 of farm products ruined yearly by injurious insects is estimated 

 at from $800,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 without reckoning the 



