THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



u; 



ize himself with the \ en- iinpcirtant work now being 

 done on the various phases of this subject. A pre\'ious 

 knowledge of agricultural chemistry is not a prere- 

 quisite and the actual working of the course will be 

 arranged to suit the requirements of special groups of 

 students. Through the courtesy of George W. Burke, 

 Superintendent of Parks for the City of Pittsburgh, 

 ample space and facilities for experimental work in 

 the Phipps' Conser\atory have been placed at the dis- 

 posal of the University for instruction and research in 

 l^hytochemistry. 



.\t the present time the division of phytochemistry 

 of the School of Chemistry in the University of Pitts- 

 burgh is conducting an investigation of the so-called 

 catalytic and colloidal fertilizers, and the results prom- 

 ise to be of great practical importance; during the 



course of this in(iuiry, a thorough study is lieing made 

 of the stimulating eli'ect on plant growth of the rare 

 and radio-active earths, various mineral salts, and or- 

 ganic compounds, and already \er\' interesting con- 

 clusions have been made.* 



By pursuing a recommended course of training at 

 the University of i'ittsburg, young men may become 

 fully equijjped soil chemists, and probably no career is 

 so full of possibilities as this one. Such chemists are 

 qualified to carry out investigations of soil problems 

 and to act as advisors to practical agriculturists. The 

 School of Chemistry of the University of Pittsburgh is 

 endeavoring, with its strong stafi and unexcelled equip- 

 ment, to supply this training. 



*A full report of this research will appear in these columns later. 



Bird Protection and Its Scope 



By Paul B. Riis, Illinois. 



While the hanging out of nesting boxes and the proper 

 feeding of birds are very necessary, there is other im- 

 portant work that must be done — work that does more 

 than all else to induce birds to stay. 



This work is difficult in its solution and consists in 

 creating places of absolute safety by removing the bird 

 enemies, of which the English sparrows, cats, chip- 

 munks, flying squirrels, and sometimes squirrels are the 

 principal ones. 



The part played by, chip-munks is not generally un- 

 derstood. Here in Rockford where birds have been at- 

 tracted in the parks for se\-eral years we find the chip- 

 munk appropriating the nesting boxes for store rooms, 

 thus depriving the birds of a chance to use them. Their 

 habit of sucking eggs also is conceded by some natural- 

 ists. The flying squirrel, so little in evidenece, not only 

 shows a great partiality for nesting boxes, but also ruins 

 these bo.xes for all time to come, for the species of birds 

 they are intended for by gnawing the opening to such 

 dimensions as to admit him comfortably. Little is known 

 of his depredations with eggs. Fortunately his noc- 

 turnal habits compel him to seek rejiose in day time and 

 it is a small matter to surprise him in his nap and 

 straighten out matters. Squirrels fail to fill any partic- 

 ular place in nature. Their habit of building" nests in 

 hollow trees and limbs deprive birds of a safe nesting 

 site, and close observations will soon convince you that 

 they are not desirable. No excuse exists for their 

 wanton destruction of nests, eggs, young and old birds, 

 but possiblv individuals are at fault more than the entire 

 lot. 



-Vfter considerable investigation and actual c-Kperience, 

 boxes made of lumber will be discontinued. The Baron 

 von Berlepsch boxes cost but little more to construct ; 

 they are more durable and vandal proof and more in 

 keeping with their natural surroundings. Thev offer 

 natural nesting sites scientifically arranged and will be 

 used by any bird that builds in boxes. Flat bottom board 

 boxes are practicallv useless for wood-pecking birds. 

 The von Berle])sch box overcomes all these objections. 

 \\'aste material from cut-down green trees is always ob- 

 tainable. However, it is about as cheap to purchase these 

 boxes as it is to make them. 



Time and money expended in providing for our feath- 

 ered friends is a good investment. The worl< of treating 

 trees for borers is more expensive than to provide fur 

 birds that are better able to do this. They work without 

 compensation, intelligently and faithfully. No larvae or 



egg masses escape their scrutiny. Many flat and round 

 headed borers learn to their sorrow of the birds pro- 

 ficiency in searching them out. The brown creeper in 

 his daily rounds goes up a tree, ably seconded by the 

 downy, hairy and red-headed woodpeckers, finding every- 

 thing in their line of vision. The nut-hatch goes down 

 a tree finding everything in his line of vision. This ad- 

 mits of very thorough work and no trunk or limb is over- 

 looked. 



The weed seed eating birds are equally proficient in 

 their line of extermination. Tree sparrows ( not the 

 English sparrow) in Iowa alone are estimated by the 

 government to eat annually 875 tons of weed seeds. 

 There are many other varieties that do as much. 



Wrens, robins, blue birds, cuckoos, thrushes, martins, 

 flycatchers, quail, etc., daily eat such enormous quanti- 

 ties of caterpillars, moths, larvae and beetles as to be 

 almost beyond comprehension. The high temperatures 

 of the bird's bodv necessitates constant feeding, and 

 fledglings will eat their own weight in food daily. 



Nature herself has put the birds in the field to act as 

 a check against the innumerable enemies of vegetation. 

 Man has disturbed the balance by depriving birds of the 

 natural nesting sites found in the forest and meadow 

 now shorn bare. Personal efforts to supply the deficien- 

 cy will help to restore this balance in a measure. The 

 planting of berried shrubs and vines are within the scope 

 of the park superintendent's work. The following varie- 

 ties are arranged according to the order of their prefer- 

 ence by birds : Blackberry, mulberry. Elderberry, black 

 cherry, rasplierry, blueberry, dogwood, pokeberry, red 

 cedar, sumac, bayberry, wild grape, June berry, choke 

 cherry, smila.x, \^irginia creeper, juniper, huckleberry, 

 mountain ash, buckthorn, hackberry, viburnum, bar- 

 berrv, bitter-sweet, euonymus, and partridge berry. 



We are now entering upon the third year of bird pro- 

 tection in the parks of Rockford Park district, and the 

 results obtained are noticeable to the most casual ol)- 

 ser\-er. Fair Grounds Park, a tract of 24 acres, but eight 

 l)l(.icks removed from the heart of the city, fairly teems 

 with bird life. In former years a few robins were the 

 only birds observed there. Last year, blue birds, cat 

 ])irds, orioles, and even thrushes essayed to build their 

 nests despite the great crowds of people that patronized 

 this park at all times, and many winter birds are with 

 us now. Once you enter upon the work of bird protection 

 you will find it fascinating and a source of perpetual 

 deliuht. 



