THE CANADIAN IIOIITICULTUKIST. 69 



ENGLISH SPARROWS. 



BY SAMUEL HUNTER, SCOTLAND, ONT. 



1 notice in the Canadun Hokticultukist for March an article by- 

 Mr. J. Newhall, of Toronto, in regard to the English Sparrow destroying 

 the fruit buds on his bushes and trees. I do not doubt for a moment 

 but that his bushes are denuded, because he says so, but it is strange 

 nevertheless. I have been acquainted with the liabits of the sparrow 

 in their native home, where they were very plentiful, and where there 

 were large crops of small fruits grown — currants, and especially goose- 

 berries — and never knew them to interfere with fruit buds of any kind. 

 The only crime laid to their charge was helping themselves to a little 

 grain close to the hedges, and for this when a boy I have been furnished 

 a gun, and have shot tlieni, which I very much regret. We did not 

 know much about the trouble experienced with insects, and did not 

 stop to consider what the consequence might be if deprived of our 

 feathered friends. It is said that emigrants from the old country are 

 honest when they first come here, but soon become apt scholars in 

 roguery ; and I was wondering if it could be so with the sparrows. I 

 shall be very sorry if we have to dispense with them, as they seem to- 

 cheer the monotony of our long winters. Perhaps our Toronto friend- 

 feeds them too highly. 1 would suggest that they be left to forage 

 for themselves. They can get plenty along the streets and roads, 

 which might suit them better than dainties from his table ; and they 

 might not then require a mixture of fruit buds to aid digestion. I 

 might add that we have had them here two winters, and they do not 

 seem to pay any attention to our bushes. 



VISIT TO MR. JOHN BUTLER'S SORGUM FACTORY. 



BY REV. R. BURNET, PRESIDENT F. G. A., HAMILTON. 



On the morning of the fourth of October last I started in company 

 with my friend Mr. Ramsay, of Mount Barker, South Australia, to see 

 what we could learn of the creameries, cheese and Sorgum manufactories 

 situated in the County of Oxford. Arriving at Ingersoll by train at 

 an early hour, we found an old acquaintance, Mr. E. Caswell, ready to 

 forward our views by placing his team at our disposal, and putting us 

 under the direction of Mr. Finlay, an able and willing cicerone. The 



