320 



NEW EXGLAXD FARMER. 



Jilt 



may be used without injurj'. But in hundreds of 

 cases, even of that strength, it would prove ex- 

 ceedingly injurious. We can point to many or- 

 chards to sustain these statements. There is no 

 need of using potash. Soft soap answers all the 

 desired purposes, — but even that needs to be dilu- 

 ted. If trees are well taken care of constantly, 

 there is no occasion for violent remedies. 



For the New England Farmer. 



SONG SPAREOW-EABITS OF BIRDS. 



Mr. Editor : — I notice articles occa^^ionally in 

 your paper in relation to the birds. Feeling a deep 

 interest in the study of Ornithology, I always read 

 all that is written on the subject with avidity. Now 

 permit me to contribute a few lines on the subject 

 which lies next my heart. I will take my little fa- 

 vorite, the common Song Sparroiv, (Fringlila Me- 

 lodia,) as a subject for my pen. I have made this 

 little bird my special study for the last six years, 

 and now I think I can develop something new in 

 relation to its song, that writers on the subject have 

 failed to notice. Birds all have their peculiar ways 

 of singing. Some have a monotonous song, as the 

 Bay-winged Sparrow. The Yellow-bird has a con- 

 tinuous chatter without any particular form of song. 

 The Cat-bird is a mocker. The Golden Robin has 

 a song of its own, but each one may have a song of 

 his own, though those of the same locality are apt 

 to sing the same tune. The Hermit Thrush has a 

 round of variations, perhaps the sweetest singer of 

 the feathered choir. But the Song Sparrow has 

 the most remarkable charisteristics of song of any 

 bird that sings. 



Every male Song Span-ow has seven indepen- 

 dent songs of its own, no two having the same notes 

 throughout, though sometimes, as if by accident, 

 they may hit upon one or more of the same. 



Six years ago this spring, I first made the dis- 

 covery. A singer that had taken up his residence 

 in my garden, attracted my attention by the sweet 

 variations of its songs, so I commenced taking ob- 

 servations on the subject. I succeeded at last in 

 remembering all his songs, which are at this day as 

 fresh in my memory as any of our common airs 

 that I am so fond of whistling. On one occasion I 

 took note of the number of times he sang each song 

 and the order of singing. I copy from my journal, 

 six years back. 



No. 1, sang 27 times. No. 2, 36 times, No. 3, 23 

 times, No. 4, 19 times, No. 5, 21 times, No. 6, 32 

 times. No. 7, 18 times. Perhaps next he would 

 sing No. 2, then perhaps No. 4 or 5, and so on. 



Some males will sing each tune about fifty times, 

 though seldom ; some will only sing them from 

 five to ten times. But as far as I have observed, 

 each male has his seven songs. I have applied the 

 rule to as many as a dozen different birds, and the 

 result has been the same. I would say that it re- 

 quires a great degree of patience, and a good ear 

 to come at the truth of the matter ; biit any one 

 may watch a male bird while singing, and will find 

 he will change his tune in a few minutes, and again 

 in a few minutes more. 



The bird that I first mentioned came to the same 

 vicinity five springs in succession, singing the same 

 seven songs, always singing within a circle of about 



twenty rods. On the fifth spring he came a month 

 later than usual ; another sparrow had taken pos- 

 session of his hunting grounds, so he established 

 himself a little one side. I noticed that he sang 

 less frequently than of old, and in a few days his 

 song was hushed forever. No doubt old age claimed 

 him as a victim. In other cases I have known a 

 singer to return to the same place two, three and 

 lour years. But frequently, not more than one. I 

 think there is not a more interesting or remarkable 

 fact in natural history than the one I have related, 

 and it is a fact you may confidently believe. 



Charles S. False. 

 East Randolph, May, 1856. 



Fur the New England Fanner. 



PLUMS. 



!Mr. Brown : — A little more than a year ago, 

 in writing a piece for the Farmer, I casually made 

 the inquiry respecting plum trees — what to do with 

 those that blossomed fully every year, but never 

 matured any fruit. I was quite interested in the 

 opinions and remarks which it called forth from va- 

 rious correspondents — particularly a North Read- 

 ing correspondent. Your reply to my query was 

 to cut off the ends of the liml)s — to mulch and ma- 

 nure well. Well, I did so. The mulching and manur- 

 ing I had done several times before. The large tree 

 is a sound, thrifty one ; but I do not know of what 

 kind. Now for the results. The tree blossomed very 

 full, as usual; and set an abundance of fruit. As 

 soon as the fruit had grown to about the size of 

 small peas, I scattered fine ashes over them two or 

 three times a week, as well as all my others, of 

 which I have quite a variety. I soon found evi- 

 dence that the curculio had found my plums, for 

 they began to drop otl', for the crescent mark was to 

 be seen, and the white grub at the heart. I then 

 had recourse to jarring them upon a ■white sheet. 

 These two remedies I continued to use, till not 

 more than one-half dozen plums remained upon 

 the tree I am speaking of. The last of them, when 

 they dropped, were about as large as good sized 

 English walnuts. If I had succeeded in getting 

 ripe fruit from that tree, I had intended to send 

 you a box of it to pay for your advice. You say, 

 in your editorial of May I7th, that you will be con- 

 tent with "one-tenth of the fruit saved by tlie cheap 

 and simple remedy" of sifting ashes. Now as I 

 saved nothing, what would your shai-e be ? One- 

 tenth of nothing ? Well, so soon as I get it divi- 

 ded you shall have your share ; till then, you will 

 have to accept my thanks, in lieu of plums. But 

 I am not discouraged yet ; I shall "try again." 

 By- the- way, a single scion that I set last year grew 

 only some four or five inches less than twenty feet, 

 last year, and is alive and doing well at this time. 

 The scion, I believe, is of the Bradshaw plum, and 

 was set in a Canada stock. Can any of your read- 

 ers beat that ? J. T. w. 



Marlboro', JV. H., 1856. 



Remarks. — If we get one-tenth of the rilums 

 saved this season by sprinkling ashes, ])laster 

 and lime upon them, we shall need the largest 

 stall in Quincy Market to hold them. Does "J. 

 T. W." mean twenty inches, instead of twenty yeef, 

 that grew in one year ? 



