352 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



THE STARLING. 



Sir, — Referring to the correspondence published on page 134 of your 

 journal for May, 1891, on the subject of the Starling as a desirable bird to have 

 introduced into this country, I have again satisfaction in sending you herewith 

 a cutting from a recent issue of a London, Eng., paper, which contains an 

 extract from the Report of the Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland on 

 the same subject. 



Mr. Gilmour observes : — " The result of the investigation confirms me in 

 the opinion I have long held — that rooks in the enormous quantities in which 

 we have them in counties such as Fife do an immense amount of damage, and 

 I would urge those who have the control of rookeries to see that the numbers 

 of their inmates are kept within reasonable limits." The starUng comes out of 

 the ordeal with a creditable record. The inquiry shows that about three- 

 fourths of this bird's food is insect — largely of the injurious class — and one-fifth 

 grain, while there was no trace of any other crop being touched. Summarising 

 the results of the whole inquiry. Professor McAlpine says : — " If this estimate 

 is correct, as it certainly appears to be, there can be little hesitation regarding 

 the starling.. He is a bird rather to be fostered than destroyed ; he is a bene- 

 factor rather than a foe to the farmer. Of the pigeon it may be said that he is 

 an unmitigated scoundrel ; of the rook that he is a cunning rogue ; but of the 

 starling we can say with truth that he is our natural friend, by habit and by 

 instinct." 



I have not observed that the matter has been discussed at all at any of 

 your meetings. In view of what Mr. G'lmour says in his report concerning this 

 bird, I would suppose it to be well worthy of the attention of our Association. 



Annapolis^ N. S. E. D. Arnaud. 



IRRIGATION. 



Sir, — I might say, in answer to Mr. H. Picket's inquiry, re irrigation, that 

 I have irrigated an eight-acre apple orchard for years, and have found it of 

 great advantage almost every year, and especially a summer like the one a 

 year ago. The fruit is much larger, and the trees will make a good growth of 

 wood, even when they are heavily loaded with fruit. A glance at the foliage 

 would convince any person, during a dry summer, of its benefits. My mode of 

 applying is quite simple. The orchard is on a mountain side ; three springs 

 rise at the top, and by ditches I convey the water to wherever wanted. I 

 watered twice during the dry spell in the early part of this season, and my 

 young trees have kept growing right along. Trees planted one year ago have made 

 over two feet of wood this season. 



One other subject I would like to mention, which I have been watching 

 carefully since I noticed Mr. Gaston mentioned it, and that is crutch rot of the 



