226 AGRICULTURE ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE 



farmer, and rarely hurt poultry. Instead of being 

 killed, they^shouldj)ejrotected. 

 ^"Snakes. Few snakes are poisonous, and these can 

 easily be known in each locality. Most snakes, such as 

 chicken snakes, whip snakes, and gopher snakes of 

 various kinds, are wholly beneficial, as they live on field 

 mice, gophers, and other small pests. 



Earthworms. Earthworms help the roots by cul- 

 tivating the soil and making it loose (see page 68). 



