DESTRUCTION OF PEAS. 61 



GREEN VEGETABLES. 



The information collected by the Department, as well as that already 

 published, shows that the Sparrow does a great deal of mischief in gar- 

 dens aside from that done to fruit. In every stage of growth, from the 

 planting of the seed until another crop of seed is gathered, most vege- 

 tables are more or less subject to its attacks, some suffering most at 

 one particular stage of growth, while others are attacked continuously. 

 Peas, corn, lettuce, and cabbage are the vegetables which appear to 

 suffer most while in the green state, but the two latter also suffer very 

 much, when ripening their seed. 



Destruction of peas. — The following testimony shows the Sparrow's 

 methods in relation to peas : 



From Henry D. Emery, Chicago, 111. : 



They attack and destroy peas as they appear above ground. (December 6, 1884.) 



From Thomas H. Shoemaker, Philadelphia, Pa. : 



Many have found it almost impossible to raise peas, as the Sparrow eats them off 

 as fast as they appear above ground. (May 25, 1884.) 



From P. D. Miller, Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County, Mich. : 



Village. — I know persons who had to give up their pea crop this year on account 

 of the Sparrow. (October 11, 1886. Present about nine years.) 



From Dr. A. K. Fisher, Sing Sing, IS. Y. : 



People living in the village, and who have small vegetable gardens, complain bit- 

 terly of their inability to raise peas, on account of the depredations of the Sparrow. 

 The Sparrow attacks the plants as soon as they appear above ground, and again from 

 the time the pods are forming until they are matured. (1885. Present about nine- 

 teen years.) 



From S. T. Holbrook, Norwich, Conn. : 



I hare seen them eating the leaves of young peas and have seen them feed their 

 young with them. I have also seen them eating the leaves of young lettuce. (Au- 

 gust'^, 1886. Present twenty or twenty-five years.) 



From E. E. Quellin, Clayton, Barbour County, Ala. : 



It comes into the garden in flocks, eating the peas and other tender vegetables. 

 (October 20, 1886. Present about three years.) 



From J. C. Swetland, Sparta, Morrow County, Ohio: 



It attacks peas when in bloom, in some gardens destroying one-fourth of the crop. 

 (October 18, 1886. Present about three years.) 



From B. L. Swetland, Mount Yernon, Knox County, Ohio: 



I have seen them feeding their young on the blossoms of my peas. I am satisfied 



that we have lost at least ooe-third of our crop in this way, and they destroy other 



blossoms. (November 15, 1886. Present about ten years.) 



From Joseph C. Katliff, Bichmond, Ind. : 



I saw several killed while picking out and eating peas in a garden, and on exam- 

 ination found the peas in their crops. (November 5, 1886. Present about seventeen 

 years). 



Much additional testimony on this head will be found in its proper 

 place in another part of this Bulletin, and it may be remarked that com- 



