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only such as take more than a reasonable share, or that 

 render no services in return. 



Many people have a prejudice in favor of birds, that 

 no well balanced mind should entertain. " Denizens of 

 the air," have no more right to our property that den- 

 izens of the earth. Plunderers on two legs are not more 

 respectable than plunderers on four legs ; and cedar birds 

 are entitled to no more regard than rats, unless personal 

 beauty can atone for moral deformity. 



Ornithologists often become partial to the subjects of 

 their study, and side with them against the farmer and the 

 gardener magnifying their services and overlooking 

 their trespasses. The laborer indeed may drive the 

 geese from his cabbages, throw stones at the crows, and 

 even shoot a hawk but not the birds that devour his 

 cherries ! 



An amiable writer, in reference to such visitors, says, 

 " Such has been the security they have felt in our grounds, 

 and so great their increase, that not only cherries, gooseber* 

 ries, and currants, but apples, pears, and plums, have been 

 ravaged ; and it may become a matter for serious consid- 

 eration, whether in continuing our protection, we do not 

 risk the TOTAL LOSS of some of the most desirable append- 

 ages to the dessert." Now if called into council, our ad- 

 vice would be prompt and brief: Treat them according 

 to their doings. Make pies of the robins, orioles, and 

 cedar birds one chicken is worth a dozen of them for 

 ousiness; but save and protect the blue birds, warblers, 

 and sparrows these are always our friends. 



Stunted trees always produce smaller fruit than when 

 the same kind grows on vigorous branches; but the fruit 

 suffers in flavor as well as in size. The trees should 

 therefore be planted in deep beds of fertile soil. In dry 

 seasons more especially this provision is of great impor- 

 tance ; and young trees treated in this manner are not only 



