282 



Sonnet. 



Vol. II- 



ance deals out destruction and death to them 

 witheut reflection or compunction of con 

 science. 



Tlie mole, as is well known burrows in the 

 ground, and forms lanes in various directions 

 in search of its favorite food ; wliicli is not, 

 as has been generally supposed the roots of 

 grass and vegetables ; for the only food they 

 can be subsisted on is animal. TJie late 

 much lamented Dr. Godman in his most in- 

 structive and interesting work on natural 

 history says (and this is confirmed by other 

 naturalists) that " the favorite food of the 

 mole is the earth worm ; grubs and insects 

 of various kinds he destroys in great quan- 

 tities, and it may fairly be questioned whe- 

 ther the good done in this way does not 

 more than overbalance any evil attendant on 

 his presence. The presence of the mole in 

 fields of Indian corn appears to be decidedly 

 advantageous from the destruction of grea't 

 numbers of slugs and worms ; but in dry sea- 

 sons these animals, if numerous, may injure 

 small grain or grasses to a considerable ex- 

 tent, not only by the wounds they inflict on 

 the roots with their sharp claws, but by rais- 

 ing tlie sod while forming their burrows, so 

 as to withdraw the roots from the moist soil 

 below." 



It does not appear, after a very critical 

 examination of the history of the toad; and 

 after a particular inquiry into its domestic 

 habits, that it has ever been charged with 

 any particular crime against the'lords of 

 creation or any infringement on his rio-hts 

 or interest; but he is said to be ugly;lhis 

 at best is a mere matter of opinion in' which 

 there may exist an honest difference of 

 judgment or taste, but it ought not to excite 

 prejudice to his injury. The slanderer has 

 said he was poisonous; but this is clearly a 

 mistake, tor birds of prey and snakes swallow 

 them with impunity, and some authors say 

 that they are equally as delicious a morsel 

 as the much esteemed bull-frog; how this 

 may be I shall notdetermine; I merely contend 

 that they are innocent and harmless, and are 

 therefore entitled to our protection, and even 

 to our regard if they are found to be con- 

 cerned in the protection of our best interests, 

 by destroying vast multitudes of voracious 

 insects and worms on which they exclusive 

 ly feed. The enlightened gardeners of 

 Europe, accumulate large numbers of them 

 in their gardens and green houses, to aid in 

 protectmg their precious plants from the 

 depredations of insects, which they effect 

 with great skill and dexterity. Why should 

 Bot then our farmers and gardeners be equally 

 solicitous to avail themselves of the valuable 

 services of friends who require no further 

 remuneration for the good they do us, than 

 exemption from destruction and death. 



It is stated in Pennant's Zoology " that a 

 Mr. Arscott of Tehott in Devonshire, had a 

 toad, which lived in a kind of domesticated 

 state for more than forty years, and of having 

 been in a great degree tamed, or reclaimed 

 from its natural shyness or desire of conceal- 

 ment; since it would always regularly come 

 out of its hole at the approach of its master 

 in order to be fed. It grew to a very large 

 size, and was considered as so singular a 

 curiosity, that even ladies, laying aside their 

 usual aversion and prejudices, requested to 

 see the favourite toad. It was therefore 

 often brought to table, and fed with various 

 insects, which it seized with great celerity, 

 without seeming to be embarrassed by the 

 presence of company. This extraordinary 

 animal generally resided beneath the 

 steps of the house door, fronting the garden, 

 and migjit probably have survived many years 

 longer, had it not been severely wounded by 

 a raven, which seized it before it could take 

 refuge in its hole; and notwithstanding it 

 was liberated from its captor, it never again 

 enjoyed its usual health, though it continued 

 to live above a year after the accident hap- 

 pened." 



VViiile writing the first part of this com- 

 munication a distressed father called on me 

 in great agitation, to procure aid and assist- 

 ance for his son; a lad of 16 years of age, 

 who had a few hours previous been so seri- 

 ously injured in his elbow joint by the dis- 

 charge of a gun, when he was out shooting 

 birds, that the use of his arm was supposed to 

 be permanently lost. I insert this incident 

 as a commentary on the text, and bid you 

 good speed in your valuable editorial labors 

 of the Farmers' Cabinet. 



Philadelphia County. 



March 28th, 18.38. 



For the Fanners' Cibinet. 



SONNET AND ACROSTIC. 



" Speed the Plough." 



Spring, balmy Spring ! returns with smiling face. 

 Princess of seasons !-See, tli' industrious plough 

 Emerges from its winter covering now, 

 Enters earth's yielding breast-leaves there its trace 



Deep in the soil— and onward moves a pace i 

 Tliere is the plough-boy ! mark the ruddy glow 

 Hastes to his cheek, as with a joyous brow, 



F-ageronce more, he takes his wonted place.— 



Pastures again the lowing herds invite, 

 Luxuriant, in the green of Spring arrayed ; 



Orchards are blossoming, and landscapes bright 

 Unveil to view, thro' valley, hill and glade ! 



Gladsome is earth !— nor should aught else, be sad ; 



Haste then the plough !— and bid the heart be glad. 



E. C, S, 

 Cedar Brook, Plainficld, N. J. 



