642 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



rightfully counts the birds of his farm as his friends, should be ex- 

 pected to destroy the stray cats that infest the country in summer, 

 and, so far as possible, to see to it that the natural instincts of his own 

 house pets are suppressed by ample feeding and reasonable restraint. 



MEANS OF PROTECTING CROPS FROM BIRDS. 



There are various devices by means of which the farmer may 

 protect his crops from the attacks of birds, reserving the use of the 

 gun as a last resort when all other methods have failed. Scarecrows, 

 a dead crow hung on a pole, a white cord stretched around a field, the 

 drilling of seed, and the tarring of seed corn are some of the old and 

 approved methods of preventing losses by crows and blackbirds. 

 To be effective, no one of these should be employed exclusively or too 

 long at a time in the same locality, since long contact with man has 

 taught the crow a number of things. Fruit trees when few in num- 

 bers may be protected by netting. The planting of wild fruit trees, 

 or those possessed of little commercial value, for the protection of 

 orchards has not received the attention in this country that it de- 

 serves. 



Even when such protective devices fail the farmer is not driven 

 to the wholesale destruction of birds. For it is being more and more 

 recognized that there is much individuality among birds, and that 

 generally the aggressors in a certain locality are a comparatively few 

 individuals. If the lives of a few destructive hawks, crows, or robins 

 are taken, after other means have been tried and failed, it is often 

 enough to protect the poultry yard or the crop. 



FARMERS' GAIN FROM PROTECTING BIRDS. 



The brief survey of the subject possible here only imperfectly 

 sets forth the nature and importance of the service of birds to agri- 

 culture. Nevertheless it must appear that to the question "Does it 

 pay the farmer to protect birds?" only one answer is possible. Even 

 from the point of view of an investment for profit the time and ex- 

 pense necessary for their care and protection are richly repaid. There 

 is the added consideration that without the music and companionship 

 of birds the world would be the poorer. Anything that adds to the 

 attractiveness of the farm and increases the interest of farm life is 

 worthy of cultivation, even if no actual return is received in dollars 

 and cents. Happily the farmer who protects birds secures a double 

 return increased profit from his crops and increased pleasure of 

 living. (Dep. Agr. Year Book 1907.) 



PHEASANT RAISING IN THE STATES AND CANADA. 



Within recent years a new industry, the raising of pheasants, 

 has begun to engage attention in the United States, and propagating 

 ventures, ranging from the single pen with one or two pairs of birds 

 to the pheasantry of many acres and thousands of birds, are scattered 

 throughout the country. Some of these experiments have been con- 

 ducted by the States through their game officials ; others by associa- 

 tions and individuals. 



Species of Pheasants. A few words as to different kinds of 

 pheasants are essential to a proper understanding of the subject of 



