134 LIFE ON THE FARM. 



RELATION OF BIRDS TO AGRICULTURE. 



Until recent years, very little study of birds in 

 their relation to agriculture has been made. Now, 

 however, farming is reduced to a scientific basis, 

 and many principles have to be considered to 

 make it a successful pursuit. It is further admitted 

 by all that insects are destructive to many crops, 

 and that the reduction of their numbers, and hold- 

 ing them in check, must be seriously considered. 



Artificial methods of insect destruction are fre- 

 quently expensive and unsatisfactory. Often they 

 cannot be used at all; and the producer is com- 

 pelled to stand aside and see the results of his 

 labor vanish before his eyes, with no means of help. 

 There are times, too, during the busy summer's 

 work, when the farmer feels that he cannot stop 

 other work to kill insects. So they are permitted 

 to increase till some valuable crop is destroyed. 



Now, the presence of birds is a natural means 

 for keeping in check the harmful ravages of inju- 

 rious insects. Birds never cease working. They 

 rise early in the morning and retire late in the 

 evening. All day long they pick up insects of all 

 kinds, which they eat themselves or carry to their 

 young 



There are no holidays with birds. Sunday and 

 Monday are alike with them so far a eating is con- 

 cerned. A farmer, then, may leav his fields one 

 day in seven and know that the insect exter- 



