84 PROBLEMS IN WILD LIFE CONSERVATION 



of a study of bird life to agriculture. The original act of 

 1885 9 had specified that the sum of $5,000 was appropriated 

 for the purpose of ". . . investigation of the food habits, 

 distribution, and migrations of North American birds and 

 mammals in relation to agriculture, horticulture, and for- 

 estry. . . ." 



The exact wording of the appropriation act had changed 

 from time to time but the idea remained fixed that the Sur- 

 vey was to carry on investigations in wild life that would 

 be of practical value to agriculture. Finally, matters came 

 to a head in 1907 when Dr. Merriam was challenged by the 

 House Committee on Agriculture to show the practical value, 

 if any, of the work of the Survey to the agricultural in- 

 terests of the nation. 10 



His answer in the form of a comprehensive report which 

 attempted to justify the Survey's work appeared several 

 months later. Therein its economic features were stressed 

 and it was argued that the study of geographic distribution 

 was but a necessary ground work which must be laid before 

 effective practical work could be done. Said the report : " 

 " Without accurate and comprehensive knowledge of the 

 various species, of the areas they inhabit, and of their rela- 

 tive abundance . . . satisfactory economic studies of birds 

 and mammals would be impossible." 



However justified the emphasis on scientific studies may 

 have been, Dr. Merriam read the handwriting on the wall 

 and from that day onward was always careful to stress its 

 practical value to agriculture. Indeed, as the years went by 

 that phase of the Survey's work increased of its own volition 

 to a great extent. 



23 Stat. L. 353. 



10 59th Cong., 2nd Sess., H. R. 8147, pp. 38, 39. 



11 6oth Cong., S. Doc. 132. 



