268 MY GARDEN 



In rural France the government erects signs inform- 

 ing the people of the good or bad characteristics of 

 various animals and insects, that they may not, through 

 ignorance, take the life of any which is a help to the 

 farmer and horticulturist. The request to protect the 

 birds is made, as it should be everywhere, as by devour- 

 ing countless insects they are doing the country an in- 

 estimable service. It is a delight to encourage and pro- 

 tect them in the flower garden, for they are gay com- 

 pany and work hard for their board and lodging. We 

 do all we can to make the garden irresistible to them: 

 there are enticing baths of nicely graduated depth, there 

 are tempting trees and thickets of vines, and there are 

 the overhanging eaves of the garden-house. Food is 

 provided at all seasons, and freedom from cats and guns 

 assured, and the small people who play in the garden 

 would no more touch a nest, or cause anxiety to a 

 brooding mother, than they would rob a bank. 



Toads, too, should be encouraged in the garden, for 

 they have hearty appetites and devour countless insects, 

 and they do no harm to plants. We have entertained 

 for several years the fattest and solemnest toad I ever 

 saw. Every spring, early in May, he appears from the 

 same corner of the garden, a trifle depleted after his 

 winter sleep, but soon to be his corpulent self again, for 

 he loses no time in getting to work on the fat insect fare 

 which he loves. 



The little red insect we call the Ladybug devours 



