170 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



Entomologists give between 500 and GOO distinct species that at- 

 tack the oak, 100 the elm, nearly 200 the hickory, over 125 the 

 willow, nearly 200 the pine and hundreds the other evergreens, 

 over 100 the maple. During the past year the depredations of in- 

 sects in many localities have been so destructive that the farmers 

 are obliged to cut down their beautiful maple groves, being a 

 loss of many thousands of dollars to them. We have many 

 faithful allies who will help us in destroying this vast horde of 

 insect enemies if we will but recognize and protect them. All 

 insects are not injurious, some are beneficial and we should be 

 able to discriminate. Then come the birds. Who does not love 

 the birds and welcome their cheerful inspiring song when they 

 return in the spring I 



In portions of Alaska there are men, women and children who 

 never heard a bird sing (imagine it if you can) and their delight 

 was unbounded when they first heard a canary bird warble. The 

 birds are man's best friend; without them the earth would be 

 uninhabitable. Thus we should teach the children they are to be 

 protected, not alone because of their beautiful song and color, 

 but by a wise Providence they prevent the undue increase of in- 

 sects, destroy noxious weeds and in many other ways are helpful 

 to the agriculturist. They should not be stoned, hunted or de- 

 stroyed in any way, the victims of small boys and boyish men 

 who think it manly to take life merely from love of sport. In- 

 stead of buying a gun take the money and buy a field glass and 

 study the habits of birds and animals about you, and I'll venture 

 to say you will get more real, pure pleasure from that kind of 

 sport. 



Snakes and toads are interesting objects of nature study and 

 should also be protected as being of value to the farmer. There 

 are very few poisonous reptiles in our section of the country and 

 we should discourage the killing of harmless snakes which are 

 really as valuable as the ungainly and useful toad. Insects form 

 their article of diet; cut worms being a favorite dish. On the 

 whole they are beneficent creatures and our prejudice against 



