House and Garden 
A heating comparison 
How would you like a new home?—not a new house, but 
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coal gases excluded, 
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the family benefited? 
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DEPT. 10 Ambrican K adiator C ompany C h.ca GO 
A BUNCH OF VIOLETS. 
PROTECT THE BIRDS 
TT has been extremely gratifying to 
me to see the interesting^ articles 
on birds in these columns. For many 
years I have been a farmer and naturalist 
combined, have studied the birds closely 
throughout the year and feel qualified 
to state that birds are the agriculturist’s 
best and truest friends. The more 
intimately acquainted I become with 
birds, the deeper I look into their 
habits, the more convinced I become 
of the benefits resulting from their pres¬ 
ence. 
Birds are absolutely necessary to the 
welfare of the farms. The larger the 
number of birds, the better the results in 
keeping the insect foe under control. It 
is sad and alarming, but nevertheless a 
true fact, that a majority of farmers 
believe birds destructive, rather than 
beneficial. 
The following is part of a letter from 
South Carolina published in Bird-Lore: 
“About February 2ist the first robins 
made their appearance in this vicinity, 
and almost immediately a wholesale 
slaughter began. Boys just large 
enough to hold a gun (many with sling 
shots), men and even women all joined 
in the sport! They seem to vie with each 
other to see who can kill the most.” 
It is a wonder there are any robins left 
to continue their journey northward. 
What a wonderful thing it will be when 
the robins are appreciated as they should 
be. Each morning as I awaken and lie 
listening to the sweet warble of the robins 
floating through the open window on the 
fragrant, scented breeze of the glad 
springtime, I wonder how anyone can 
begrudge them a few cherries or have the 
heart to speak ill of such gentle singers. 
The song so pure that it stirs one to the 
very soul, surely this alone should well 
repay for the cherries birds eat. But we 
must take into consideration the value of 
these birds in devouring insects. My 
study of the robin has been delightful, I 
have proved to my complete satisfaction 
that they are diligent workers to have on 
the farm and it will well repay all tillers 
of the soil to set out mulberry trees and 
also plant a few rows of peas in the gar¬ 
den to entice the birds around. This 
will in a measure save the cultivated 
fruit, as the birds show a preference for 
mulberries and the trees are ornamental 
to any yard .—Roy Latham in New 
England Homestead. 
Landscape Architects 
and Engineers 
Plans for the development of private estates, parks, 
cemeteries and boulevards made and executed 
SOUTHERN WORK A SPECIALTY Established 1856 
P. J. BERCKMANS CO. Augusta, Ga. 
The Sweetest and Daintiest of Flowers. 
You can grow and pick them from your own window gar¬ 
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pots and boxes. Ten strong rooted plants IX BUD (not slips 
or cuttings) with full directions for growing and arranging, 
sent prepaid on receipt of $2.00. Dept. 6. ELITE CON¬ 
SERVATORIES, Dedham, Mass. 
In writing to advertisers please mention House and Garden. 
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