ig8 



PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



birds on farms are trees and shrubs, provisions for nesting 

 and control of bird enemies. 



Trees and shrubs. One of the chief causes of the de- 

 crease in bird life on farms has been the destruction of trees 

 and underbrush and the clearing of waste places, all of which 

 are natural bird haunts. 



These have been, for the most part, necessary changes in 

 order to enlarge the area of cultivated 

 lands. But with the addition of more 

 cultivated crops subject to insect injuries 

 there is the need of more birds for pro- 

 tecting these crops. On many farms there 

 are hillsides and other rough land that 

 could be reforested. It is desirable to 

 reclaim such regions in order to prevent 

 loss of soil by erosion and to make them 

 productive. Affording a place for birds to 

 Bird house made of nest an( j to rear t h e i r young is an addi- 

 hollow limb of tree. 

 (After Forbush.) tional reason. 



Trees and shrubs around the farm home 

 not only serve to beautify the home surroundings but they 

 encourage the presence of birds of many kinds. There are 

 several native trees and shrubs bearing wild fruits which 

 furnish food for birds and, in this way, protect the culti- 

 vated fruit in the farm orchards. Birds seem generally to 

 prefer wild to cultivated fruits. 



The following wild fruits are regarded as useful in afford- 

 ing protection for cultivated varieties: for cherries red 

 mulberry, juneberry, wild red cherry, and red-berried elder; 

 for raspberries and blackberries dewberry, wild goose- 

 berry and wild blackberry; for apples and pears crab- 

 apple, chokeberry and cockspur thorn. 



