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EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
To ascertain the best varieties to plant, and the methods of planting, I would refer the reader to the valuable and instructive work of George B. Emerson, Esq., and other kindred works. Mr. Emerson’s work is now out of print, but can be seen in our most prominent libraries. It is a book that ought to be always for sale, and a republication should be urged, especially when the planting of trees is so generally recommended as a source of great benefit to our State.
Agricultural and Forestry Congress.
I take the following extracts from the Discussions and Lecture, at the Meetings of the Agricultural and Forestry Congress, held at Vienna during last September, which received high commendation there, and which, in general, seem to also apply to our needs in Massachusetts. These were also translated for me by Mr. N. L. Derby.
During the discussion of the subject "What measures are to be taken for the protection of those birds, useful in cultivation?” Dr. Brehm, of Berlin, said:—
“ That we ourselves are really to blame for the great increase in harmful birds and animals, since we, for instance, plant the same sort of tree over miles of territory, and thus give the woods over to the ravages of a single variety of these. We exterminate, further, every tree, hedge and bush on our fields, when every grove and hedge is a dwelling for our most industrious assistants, whom we now simply turn out of doors and deprive of their breeding-places. (Bravo ! from the Congress.) We should therefore try to preserve every strip of wood on our fields ; especially should we protect the starling as fully as possible, i. e., we should place bird-houses for them in all woods, trees and gardens.” * * * * “The most
efficacious means of protecting birds consists in teaching the people ; by the publication of a good book, treating of the matter, it could be shown that it is for the general advantage.” (Supported.)
Dr. Blomeyer, of Leipzig, said:—
“It is certainly not our object to propose laws which the various governments are requested to accept. We can only establish general principles ; culture, morals and education will be of more service than any laws.” He asks “ the Congress to declare that every form of advanced civilization demands the protection of birds.” (Supported.)