a2n 



will never do, because popular iguoranee of birds, ti> 

 geflier with iiiac's greed for pecuniary gain, would 

 bring about the extermination of great uunibere of 

 beneficial song and other birds which would be called 

 "English Sparrows." 



HAS AGRICULTURE PROFITED? 



With a view of "benefiting agriculture" and protect- 

 ing poultrj and game in Pennsylvania bounty acts 

 have been enacted which allowed hunters to slay with 

 indiscriminate hand many of the most useful birds and 

 mammals. This legislation, brongbt about by popular 

 prejudice and a deplorable ignorance of the habits of 

 animals placed under ban, has cost tliousands and 

 thousands of dollars in cash paid out of the county 

 funds. While it is true the original money outlay was 

 great (indeed, it proved a serious burden to taxpayei-s 

 in some sections of the Conimonwealtli) the loss or 

 fruit of sucli folly will be much more from a money 

 standpoint to our farmers than the large sums first 

 expended. Even during the past three or four years, 

 as an echo of the odious scalp act of 1885, we hear, 

 from different sections of this State, of the great dam- 

 age done bj- Meadow Mice, Rats and Rabbits. Strange 

 is it not that many people who now complain of ro- 

 dents and insects doing so much harm to their property, 

 were, and are even yet, firm believers in paying boun 

 ties? 



When a man goes to the shop or market place to 

 make a purchase, it is a common saying, "He pays liis 

 money and makes his choice;" so it is with the bounty 

 question. Continue to pay premiums for beneficial 

 birds of prey and mammals which live largely on dct 

 rimental forms of animal life, and we will have more 



