158 



Insects vs. Birds. 



Vol. IILi 



small moment where numbers of hogs are 

 led. In feeding potatoes, tlie saving by 

 steaming or boiling is equal to one-half. — 

 Cobs and corn-stalks, made fine and steamed, 

 will keep a horse or cow in Ijetler condition 

 than the best iiay ; and these things are 

 usually wasted. 



It Siiould be remembered that it is misera- 

 ble policy to burn green wood ; yet how 

 many there are w^ho rarely use any other. 

 Did you ever calculate the quantity of dry 

 wood it takes to drive off in steam the water 

 from a green oak or beech stick"? — if you 

 have, you can estimate the direct loss there 

 is in the use of unseasoned wood. Add 

 to this the vexations consequent on loss of 

 lime, temper, and comfort, and you will 

 hesitate before you conclude to pass the win- 

 ter by drawing and burning one green stick 

 at a time. Wood cut in October will not 

 season as well as if cut in the early part of 

 the year; but the winds will carry off some 

 of the moisture, and the wood will be much 

 belter than if direct from the forest or stump. 

 No wood, hovv'ever, should lie long after be- 

 ing cut into lire wood, without being placed 

 under cover. 



It should be remembered that the winter 

 is the farmer's time to store his mind with 

 useful knowledge; and his books and papers 

 should be provided accordingly. In the win- 

 ter, if he has calculated his affairs aright, 

 the farmer is prepared to enjoy himself, and 

 the society of his friends ; to study books 

 relating to his business, or those on subjects 

 of general interest; and to attend to the edu- 

 cation and welfare of his children. No far- 

 mer should be without a shelf of well select- 

 ed books, among which should be found 

 some of the best works on agriculture, such 

 as the manuals of Chaptal or Davy ; and no 

 farmer who values his profession, or wishes 

 to conduct his operations understandingly 

 and profitably, will fail of having at com- 

 mand one or more of the agricultural period- 

 icals of the country. 



It should be remembered that ergot will 

 produce disease in animals, and he who, 

 knowinsx this fact, undertakes to winter his 

 cattle on this substance, or on hay that con- 

 tains it in large quantities, must expect little 

 sympathy, if he finds his stock of cattle 

 sadly decreased in the spring by the hoof-ail. 



It should be remembered that all animals 

 require slu^lter, and none perhaps more so 

 than sheep ; yet the barbarous and irrational 

 custom prevails of giving them the "cold 

 side of the barn," and allowing them to en- 

 dure the severest storms without protection 

 of any kind. Is it wonderful then that mul- 

 titudes of these valuable animals perish 

 yearly ; or that farmers pay dearly for their 

 inattention in this respect ? 



It should be remembered, that care, pru- 

 dence, and economy, are necessary tosuccessi 

 in this life in any department, and in none 

 more so than in that of the t";irmer. Riches 

 are of no value, any farther tlian they fur-' 

 nish the means of benefiting ourselves and 

 others. The greater part of the men whoi 

 have attained competence and wealth in thiai 

 country have done it by their own unaidedl 

 exertions; and the men who have madei 

 themselves the most distinguished in thfli 

 annals of our country, have come up front»i 

 the ranks of the people, supported only by 

 their industry, integrity and talents. A far- 

 mer has no right to be ignorant, he has no 

 right to be idle ; — industry and intelliffence' 

 take a bond of fate, and insure success.- 

 The favors of fortune are open to all; buti 

 no matter of what nature they may be, they 

 can only be won by intelligent and well-di- 

 rected toil. — Genesee Farmer. 



For ihe Farmers' Cabinet. 

 Insects vs. Birds. 



Mr. Cai5Inet, — I am a regular reader of I 

 your journal, and while I am a constant 

 operator with my hands, permit me sorne-- 

 what of a similar privilege with the head. 

 From several articles which have appeared 

 in your paper — articles, the composition and 

 style of which reflect credit on their authors, 

 I have been almost led to inquire, " Fori 

 what were all things made V Were they 

 all created for some useful purpose in the 

 great economy of nature — or, while one part 

 was destined for a wise and benevolent pur- 

 pose, was another formed for ravage and 

 destruction only, without rendering a corres- 

 ponding compensation in the great operations* 

 of nature 1 True, we are so much the crea- 

 tures of self, that whatever appears to mili- 

 tate against our interest, we are ever willing' 

 to decry at first view, as being not only use- 

 less, but to set it down as destructive in its 

 consequences, without stopping to inquire 

 for a m-oment — was it formed for any useful! 

 purpose ] Though I am an advocate tliati 

 man, who is endowed with intellectual pow- 

 ers while the inferior orders of animated na- 

 ture are guided by instinct alone ; — man, to 

 whom is given dominion over the " beasts 

 of the field, and the birds of the air," should 

 use every honest and honorable means for 

 the nirlioration of his condition, and the pro- 

 motion of his interests, yet I have no doubt 

 but that interest is sometimes retarded by the 

 means employed for its advancement. Are^ 

 the birds of the air, whether graniverous ot| 

 insectiverous, the untutored friends of manj 

 while the tiny insect that sports in the sum 

 imer's sun, and which nature has taught th 



