46 
I'SKFrL lURDS 
If scarecrows are used they should l:>e changed occasionally, 
h'orbush in “Useful llirds and Their Protection,” advises the use 
of a barrel hung on a leaning pole. 
One of the safest and best ways of tarring corn and yet not 
affecting its use in a planter is one originating in Massachusetts. 
“Put one-fonrth to one-half bushel of corn in a half-barrel tub ; pour 
in a pailful of hot water, or as much as is necessary to well cover 
the corn ; dip a stick in gas tar and stir this briskly in the corn ; 
repeat until the corn is entirely black ; pour off' on to burlap (bran 
sacks are good) ; spread in the sun and stir two or three times dur- 
ing the day. If this work is done in the morning and the day is 
sunny, the corn will be ready for the planter the next day without 
any other care.” A machine will easily handle corn treated in this 
way. Another way is as follows: “Put corn in fertilizer sack, 
pour (thinned) tar on corn, tie the sack; let the boys tumble the 
sack about; add ashes or land plaster; tie sack, tumble some more 
and it is ready for the planter.” The gas tar can be and should 
be diluted with linseed oil. 
If one is a good enough shot with a rifle, and can pick off* a 
crow or two at long range, the birds keep away from a held so 
protected- Even if not hit they seem to realize that it is dangerous 
ground. Any birds killed should l)e hung up in the held. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 
^\T are particularly fortunate, through the kindness of the 
artist, Louis Agassiz h'uertes, of Mabel Osgood A'right, the living 
author, and the Macmillan Company, puldishers of “Citizen Bird,” 
to be able to present here a few of the excellent and accurate illus- 
trations with which that publication is adorned. It is Avith the 
greatest pleasure that Ave acknoAvledge our appreciation of the 
courtesy extended by the above. All of the illustrations in black 
and Avhite (except the ])hoto of tree SAvalloAvs on ])age 3) are the 
Avork of Mr. Fuertes. 
