:853. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



275 



(man, manifesting the handy workmanship of Prov- 

 idence and her readiness to minister to the wants 

 of man. The quantum reahzed in these prepara- 

 tions at the time of use, will depend upon the 

 amount of materials added and the skill of the ac- 

 tor. BowEN Barker. 

 Hanson, April 18, 1853. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 SPARE THE SWEET SONGSTERS. 



Mr. Editor ; — Dear Sir — A few short weeks ago, 

 the low, plaintive note of the blue-bird was borne 

 to our ears on the morning gales of spring. And 

 it gladdened our hearts ; for it was a harbinger of 

 the return of sweet-scented winds and sunnier days, 

 and its arrival was like the return of an old and 

 valued friend. 



A few days later, the beautiful red-breast had 

 returned to its summer haunts. But a foe await- 

 ed him, and scarce had he commenced to cheer us 

 with his sweet song, ere the sharp report of a gun 

 is heard, and the winged messenger falls from his 

 airy height, fluttering in the last agonies of death. 



Oh ! ivho caused its death 1 'Twas a member 

 of the self-styled human family — inhuman would 

 be the more fitting name. I grieve to say it — but 

 there is a sad propensity among the boys to shoot 

 the innocent birds — those that do no harm, Ewd 

 much, very much good. Some do it for mere 

 sport — others, because others do. Some wish to 

 exhibit their prowess, and think people will call 

 them manly and courageous. But, far from it. It 

 betokens a coarse, evil-dispositioned, lawless char- 

 acter. 



'Twas Fast-day that I saw two lads out hunting 

 the pretty robins, and when asked wliy they killed 

 them, one returned for answer — "Ol^to eat." To 

 eat ! yet they were the sons of wealthy fathers. 

 My advice to those fathers is, to compel or per- 

 suade their dainty sons to stay at home on the 

 holidays, and feast on less dainty, but more sub- 

 stantial food. Our Creator made all manner of 

 insects ; but lie also provided us with birds, to 

 keep tbem from increasing too fast ; and if farmers 

 permit their sons to kill them, they must not com- 

 plain, though worms cut down their corn, and 

 bugs eat up their vines ; the borers construct ca- 

 nals and railroads in the trunks, and caterpillars 

 weave silken houses in the tops of their trees. 

 No ; not even if worms and insects approach their 

 worthy selves with hostile intentions. And you, 

 young readers of the Farmer, did you never walk 

 forth to" admire the beauty of Nature, when the 

 sweet song of the birds formed its greatest attrac- 

 tions. Oh ! spare our sweet songsters, and they 

 will repay you, by singing a song sweeter than 

 ever came from mortal lips. c. p. b. 



Sutlon, April IQlh, 1853. 



Remarks. — "We wish there were a general police 

 all over New England on "Fast" and "Election 

 Days," to prevent people from destroying the birds, 

 or, if they refused to desist, to enforce the penal- 

 ties of the law on them. A friend living in Dan- 

 vers has informed us that he has spent many an 

 election day in traversing the fields and shady 

 lanes to prevent boys from killing the birds. Ills 

 praise should be on every lip and his example fol- 

 lowed by others. 



VALUABLE EXTRACTS. 



Some notice has already been made of the 

 Transactions of the Franklin County Society for 

 the year 1852 ; but we turn to them again with 

 pleasure, to make extracts from the valuable ad- 

 dress by Prof. Mapes at the annual exhibition in 

 September. 



The reports of this gathering show — as have 

 many others — that it was not an exhibition, only, 

 of the grosser elements, the oxen, the horses, cows, 

 vegetables and fruits, but that it was made an in- 

 tellectual occasion, where the mind and morals 

 were cultivated, as well as the fruits of the earth. 

 Beside the address to which we shall chiefly turn 

 our attention, there were others, which would 

 grace any of our halls of learning, and were models 

 for the young, as well as full of instruction for 

 all. 



In the remarks of Mr. Cushman, President of 

 the Society, he said that the path of duty and use- 

 fulness to farmers is like that to fame — upwards 

 and onwards. *We may have done well to-day; 

 we must do better to-morrow and in all coming 

 time. "The past, for good or evil, is behind us. 

 The present, only, beautiful but fleeting, can we 

 call our own. He that can seize her, ere she flies, 

 and make her wholly his, is indeed happy." 



"Progress, improvement — a higher destiny, a 

 happier day — these all men should seek — should 

 labor for, to the last." 



All he said was just, and applicable to all. "If 

 we knew more, he said, we could raise more with 

 the same labor and expense ; and consequently 

 could make more profit than we now do." 



Mr. Paige, President of the Bristol County So- 

 ciety, made pleasant and excellent remarks. In 

 visiting two shows, last year, each attended by 

 10,000 persons, he had not heard a profane or vul- 

 gar word, or seen any one intoxicated! Are not 

 these the happier days that the old poets cele- 

 brate, — 



"those golden times, 



And those Arcadian scenes, that Maro sings, 

 And Sidney, warbler of poetic prose .'" 



Highly as these annual gatherings are estimated, 

 they are not fully ^appreciated yet, as there are 

 thousands who do not attend them, and know lit- 

 tle or nothing about them. They are, however, 

 what commencement is to the student and his 

 friends; the convention to the statesman, when 

 some great project is on foot; or the anniversaries 

 of the various religious denominations. They are 

 a summing up of the operations of the year ; a 

 comparison of notes and opinions ; a bond of union, 

 and powerful incentives to further progress. As 

 at present conducted, we do not anticipate any 

 unfavorable influences springing from them. Their 

 moral aspect is guarded with a stern vigilance, so 

 that no licentious practices shall be mingled with 

 their exercises. But to our extracts ; 



