60 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1880. 



bounteous harvest ; and we are complacently pointed to the count- 

 less slieaves, or profusion of fruit, as tlie direct consequence of 

 Republican election or Democratic free-will and foreknowledsje 

 absolute. Tlie very iiairs of our liead are numbered and the 

 matter of least moment to man is of some account in the Divine 

 economy. But the caucus — the stump, — and the fat snug sine- 

 cure, are the successive steps and ultimate measure of Yankee 

 concern ; — whicli finds but slight incentive in an occupation that 

 developed a Cincinnatus, — a Phocion, — a Washington ! And the 

 politician, — in the General Court, — is full-fledged — that is all ! 

 He has moulted ; his featliers are glossier and newer. But, for 

 any benefit to the Commonwealth, he might better have left a 

 vacuum ; the abhorrence of nature would be the same in his 

 presence or absence. The common concerns of life disturb not 

 him ; l)ut rather who shall be ganger or tide-waiter, at the foot 

 of State Street. Agricultural Education may perish for aught 

 that he cares ; it will be none of his funeral. During the can- 

 vass, — his hair will he full of hay seed. At the State House, 

 where he finds himself nn'splaced by the chances of the political 

 roulette, (a square peg in a round hole ?) as the Horticulturist 

 appeals to him for relief from legislation that discriminates 

 against himself, he elongates his ears — the latest step in evolu- 

 tion, — flattered at hearing kindred tones in the raucous cry of 

 the Turdus migratorius or the dissonant shrieks of his congener 

 — the felivox. 



Any one can compel or obtain a hearing, — possibly gain relief 

 or redress, — save only Horticulturists, who would fain have the 

 grain and fruit crops of the country protected from rapacity and 

 waste. These Reports have steadily contended that the benefits 

 claimed from the in-lawing of Birds, — assumed to be insectiv- 

 orous, — are, if at all actual, grossly exaggerated. At the risk of 

 exhausting your patience, I have translated an article from the 

 Revue Horticole, wherein the writer tersely, efi^ectually, it may 

 be hoped finally, disposes of the whole shallow sentimentalisra. 

 Hereafter, with the bird as with the quadruped, let it be — "Root, 

 or Die !" But listen to the French savant, as formulating his 

 views, he declares that 



" 1st, — Birds are only gathered in flocks, greater or less, at the 



