Doinestic Notices. 195 



of the foe are unknown to us, and we cannot find them. Why should we 

 not make the history of this devouring host a study — a part of our educa- 

 tion ? Why should we sow crops, plant trees, gather harvests, and then let 

 insects take the whole, for want of knowledge on our part, how to protect 

 the products of our industry from their depredations ? We study chemistry, 

 that we may prepare soils suitable to the plants we cultivate ; we study 

 physiohjgy, that we may cultivate plants suitable to their various natures ; 

 we study meteorology, that we may give to plants proper warmth, moisture, 

 and climate. Who studies entomology — the history of those beings which take 

 from us all that we have thus studied to produce in perfection ? A thorough 

 acquaintance with the insect world would open to our ingenuity a thousand 

 devices for their destruction, now unthought of. We should know how to 

 direct one tribe of insects to prey upon another. We should know what 

 other animals devour insects injurious to man, and foster them — what ani- 

 mals devour insects beneficial to man, and destroy them. Beyond all, we 

 should know the value of birds. In a single hour, a pair o{ Blue-birds, do- 

 mesticated in a box of your providing, will prevent the existence of a thou- 

 sand caterpillars in your orchard. Now, who takes the trouble to provide 

 that box ? Who would not provide it, if the value of that bird's services 

 was known and duly appreciated? Unlike other labor, that of birds is per- 

 formed cheerfully, and, for the most part, without pay. Occasionally they 

 exact a portion of our fruit or seeds. Let them take what they desire, and 

 yet their service is cheap. No man, void though he may be of all gentle 

 and kindly feelings towards these beautiful inhabitants of the grove, if he 

 knows how closely his interest and theirs are linked together, but will re- 

 gard the sportsman with his gun, as the enemy of the human race. 



" If the time ever comes, as it may come, when the interference of gov- 

 ernment shall be required to stay the ravages of insects, a thorough knowl- 

 edge of them will be indispensable to enlightened and well-directed legis- 

 lation. Why should not government make war upon cut-worms and plum- 

 loeevils, as well as upon berberry -bushes and Canada thistles? Can they do 

 this wisely if they do it ignorantly'?" 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. 1. Domestic Notices. 



Horticulture in the vicinity of Rochester, NY. — Your last number appear- 

 ing to invite communications respecting the success of commercial nurseries, 

 in various parts of the country, this account of those in Monroe County is 

 sent in the hope that it may not prove entirely uninteresting to your readers. 

 The soil and climate of the northern part of the valley of the Genesee is re- 

 markably adapted to the growth of trees and fruit, and their production is not 

 neglected. The method of cultivation practised by our nurserymen is very 



