92 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



of pine woods is cut off, a growth of oak, hickory and chestnut 

 almost invariably springs up ; that is, if such trees are growing 

 anywhere within the distance of half a mile from them. This 

 new growth may almost always be attributed to the red squirrel, 

 who had buried the nuts from which it grew, for its winter food. 

 In sections where the various pines are growing, their seeds fur- 

 nish the principal food of this squirrel ; and I have often found, 

 in my Northern wanderings, large piles of the cones and cover- 

 ings of the seeds at some favorite feeding-place of this species. 



It is not alone in planting nuts that this squirrel is valuable ; 

 for, as it is not afraid to approach the gardens and orchards of 

 its human neighbors, the choice apples and pears and cherries 

 which it sometimes seizes and carries off to its forest home, to 

 be eaten in leisure there, often produce, from the seeds the lit- 

 tle robber drops, a fine seedling that is occasionally fully worth 

 propagating. I have often found, in our woods, trees that had 

 been undoubtedly planted by these squirrels, which were bear- 

 ing fruit as choice as that growing on trees in the carefully 

 tended garden and orchard from which they originally came. 



Unfortunately for it, the red squirrel has another taste that 

 has brought it into disrepute. It is especially fond of young 

 birds and eggs, and the number that it destroys through the 

 season is not inconsiderable ; this fact, together with its preda- 

 tory excursions in the garden and nursery, have given it, in 

 some sections, a prominent position as a nuisance, and its 

 destruction is secured at every opportunity ; but, in more 

 retired localities, it is usually spared by the farmer, who regards 

 it as a funny, jovial fellow, full of good nature and pleasant 

 companionship. 



The striped squirrel, or chipmunk, is probably the best known 

 and least popular of all our squirrels, and in most localities is 

 really a nuisance. It prefers an open to a wooded country, 

 and usually takes up its home in or beneath a stone wall, or 

 pile of rocks in a field or pasture. Early in the spring, as soon 

 as the heat of the sun has penetrated to its subterranean home, 

 it makes its appearance ; and, as soon as the first corn is planted, 

 it begins its depredations. It follows the rows of newly-sprouted 

 seed, and digging with wonderful sagacity into each hill, finds 

 the grains, and, cutting out and eating the germs, leaves the 

 remainder on the earth to become food for crows or other birds. 



