CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 267 



mildew may have disappeared ; and its result is therefore 

 attributed to another cause. Of course, the remedy lies 

 back in the treatment of mildew. 



Birds. The truth must be told, that some birds, espe- 

 cially the robins, are exceedingly destructive in some sec- 

 tions. However disagreeable the fact may be, our plump, 

 domestic, and motherly robin is one of the least serviceable 

 of insect-devouring birds, and, as a natural consequence, 

 does more damage to our fruits than all others put to- 

 gether. In the vicinity of Boston, robins have become so 

 numerous as to be an almost unendurable nuisance to the 

 fruit-grower. Commencing with the strawberry, they 

 turn from all insect food, for which they never show a 

 special fondness, except for the harmless fish-worm, and 

 follow up all our choicest fruits ; selecting the best kinds, 

 the largest specimens, and the ripest side, of strawber- 

 ries, cherries, raspberries, grapes, peaches, and even pears; 

 extending through almost the entire list of fruits. They 

 are the more provoking, because, instead of contenting 

 themselves with a meal upon a single bunch of grapes, for 

 example, they are most dainty tasters, and will spoil half 

 a dozen bunches in making a single breakfast. To find a 

 premium-bunch just spoiled by a few pecks at the finest 

 berries is no slight trial of patience. In my own vine- 



