MR. CHUPES AND MISS JENNY 



hundreds of pines and cedars, and they have 

 prospered for many long years, although 

 Rufus and his family do nibble the cones to 

 get at the little kernel hidden away at the 

 base of each scale. 



After all, why should the little fellows' 

 appropriation of the cones be more disas- 

 trous than mine? I gather them for my 

 grate-fire and Rufus likes to see them on 

 his bill of fare. Neither of us harms the 

 trees. 



Again, to make a concession for the sake 

 of argument. Let us suppose that pine- 

 trees are injured by raids on their cones. It 

 brings me back to the original statement 

 that the necessity for eating is at the root 

 of the whole matter. 



In order to remedy the evil try the meth- 

 ods so successfully employed by the owners 

 of the grove. Give Rufus plenty of nuts 

 and bedding, and give the birds supplies for 



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