FAKMEES' INSTITUTES. 277 



with this. Here then the first enemy of our farmers in its importance — the cut- 

 worms. Last winter tlie able representative of Van Buren County, Hon. A. B. 

 Coj^ley, and President of this meeting, said to me : ''At present we liave noth- 

 ins; amono- tlie farmers of our countv, tluxt causes more solicitude than the 

 Avhite grub, or hirva of the May-beetle." Here theii we have our second worst 

 enemy, and not second even to the cut-worms, where it is equally abundant; — 

 the May-beetle. 



During the past season, I have received many letters from the southern and 

 western counties of the state, containing specimens of the army worms, and 

 statements that they were devastating the oat-fields in an alarming manner. 

 As one man said, playing havoc to the tune of many thousand dollars daily. 

 Here then Avhen it is iirevalent is our third greatest insect pest, the army- worm. 

 Hence my subject the cut-worms. May-beetles, and army-worms. 



And why are these insects unrivaled in the destruction they cause? 1st. 

 Like the grasshopper army of the west, they come in such exceeding numbers, 

 that to cope with them by artificial means, is utterly impossible. We may 

 abridge their mischief, we can hardly hope to overcome it. 2d. They are so 

 concealed in their work that even natural agents are powerless to overcome them 

 except tliey receive the aid of man, and thus these are to the agriculturist, 

 what the codling-moth, curculio and borers are to the fruit-grower, though in 

 these latter cases we have good and efficient remedies. 



Let us proceed, then, to discuss these worst pests of the farmer separately : 



[The matter concerning the first two enemies was essentially the same as that 

 published in the Eeport of 1874.] 



THE BIEDS. 



Before leaving this subject I wish to say more in reference to the birds, 

 especially the robin and the blackbirds. During the past season I liaA'e observed 

 these birds with great care, not omitting to examine their stomachs, that I 

 might know of a truth as to the exact nature of their diet. I have examined 

 their stomachs for this purpose from April to October, and let us see with what 

 results. I have frequently seen the robins and blackbirds following closely upon 

 the harrow or the plowman. One day last September I scart away a small 

 flock of blackbirds that were following a man that was ploughing, and in going 

 less than ten rods I picked up three white grubs. Many farmers have remarked 

 to me, during the summer and autumn, as to the abundance of these insects on 

 newly plowed ground, and tlie eager watchfulness of tlie blackbirds. I have 

 myself observed that the robins were not a whit less active in this same good 

 work, on the newly plowed lawns about the college. 



But we have still more decided proofs that these birds are constantly engaged 

 in a work which we can hardly ever hope to accomplish without their aid. 

 Early in the season I found nothing in these birds' stomachs except insects. 

 Through April and May I was delighted as well as astonished to find that they 

 fed largely on these same cut-worms and Avhite grubs. It was not uncommon 

 to find two or three of these larva3 in a dissected stomach. Nor did these birds 

 stop here, but they sought out these same grubs and caterpillars for their nest- 

 lings. Kow when we consider the rapidity of the young robin's growth, and 

 tlie two or tliree annual broods, we can more justly appreciate the good accomp- 

 lished by these birds. Li sumiuer and autumn tliey continued the same good 

 work which early was supplemented by a dessert of corn and cherries, though 

 later our red-legged grasshopper, Caloptenus femuj'-rulrum, was scarcely ever 



