122 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



smartweed (P. lajmthifolium) and knotwecd (P. avicu- 

 lare) ; pigweed (^Amarantiis retrojiexus and other species) ; 

 nutgrass and other sedges (^Cyperacem) ; crab-grass (^Pani- 

 cum sauffuhiale) ; pigeon-grass (^Choefodoa viridis and C. 

 glaucii) ; lamb's-quarters (^Chenopodiard album) ; and chick- 

 Aveed (^Alsine media). 



Chickweed, ragweed, smartweed and purslane are among 

 the weeds whose seeds have been freely eaten by sparrows 

 in our garden. Purslane is so tenacious of life that branches 

 cut off by the hoe and thrown on the soil will at times take 

 root and grow lustily. Chickweed is particularly prolific, 

 because of its deceptive habit of blossoming and developing 

 seed at the same time. In all these weeds the farmer will 

 recognize foes worthy of his steel. Some of the sparrows 

 are also particularly useful as insect destroyers, as we shall 

 see later. 



While speaking of sparrows, lest error be promulgated, 

 it should be definitely stated that the English sparrow 

 (Pffs.ser domest'icus) cannot be included in the list of birds 

 beneficial to the garden. This bird feeds on grain to the 

 amount of more than two-thirds of all its food ; is destruc- 

 tive to peas and other garden vegetables, as well as fruit ; 

 and destroys comparativel}" few insects. It eats perhaps 

 less than Jialf as many weed seeds as an}^ of our common 

 native sparrows, and makes itself generally so disagreeable 

 as to prevent many other birds from breeding in the neigh- 

 borhood it inhabits. 



Our work, in conjunction with that of the birds, had 

 been so efficient in exterminating the weeds that during 

 the winter of 1901-1902 it frequently was necessary to 

 scatter chaff and hayseed from the barn floor around the 

 dooryard, to provide sufficient food fur the birds. In 

 severe winter weather tlie scratching sheds connected with 

 the poultr}^ hous(!s always furnished them a place of refuge. 

 These sheds open toward the south (which side is covered 

 with poultiy netting), but are closed on all other sides.. 

 The ground in these sheds is somewhat deeply covered with 

 litter, in which wheat screenings and small grain are scat- 

 tered, to give the hens exercise in scratching it out during 



