ENEMIES OF COEK 



THE maize crop, in its liability to the depredations 

 of enemies, shares the common fate of the vegetable 

 world. It is, however, in this respect, more fortunate 

 than most kinds of grain and fruit. Its foes, though 

 possibly as numerous, are far less fatal than those in- 

 festing the wheat crop, and some other vegetable prod- 

 ucts. 



In a general survey of the combined results of dis- 

 ease and hostile ravages, it must be admitted that this 

 cereal has escaped serious calamity in a remarkable 

 degree. From disease it is so nearly exempt as to be 

 considered virtually untouched. It has, indeed, for- 

 midable enemies, but most of their attacks can, by 

 seasonable measures, be either mitigated or prevented. 

 The corn crop has, also, this further advantage that 

 the most serious inroads upon it occur at that stage 

 of the growth while it is not yet too late to replant. 



The most common and familiar enemies of the 

 corn crop are crows, blackbirds, squirrels, mice, and 

 insects ; the last named being entirely the most nu- 

 merous, dangerous, and difficult to guard against. 



The attacks of birds, mice, and squirrels can be, in 



