Do you not think this matter comes within the jurisdiction of Societies? I send you our local paper, with some remarks called forth by a proposition brought forward in the Common Council to import English Sparrows to destroy the inch-worms. That our birds are rapidly decreasing in number, especially in the vicinity of towns, is a lamentable fact; and as a necessary consequence, the insects increase.

The greatest destroyers of birds I take to be children, their parents often, through thoughtlessness or ignorance, encouraging them in it. Should think the best means to overcome this would be to widely disseminate the knowledge of their usefulness; teach the children to respect the nests, eggs, and the birds themselves. If this were done, they would soon take as much pleasure in encouraging as they now do in destroying them. A ready mode of spreading this knowledge would be through the public and other schools; interesting illustrated reading books upon the subject would be good.

Many grown people require educating upon this point as well as the children; they would be very apt to learn from them. Laws upon the subject should be passed and - there's the rub - enforced; but a proper public sentiment will do more.

I suppose it may be stated that all our birds, except those of prey, are useful in destroying insects; even that much derided individual, the Crow, probably does more good than harm; he and the Robin and Cat Bird are annoying at times, but should judge it better policy to limit their depredations by scaring, rather than destroying them. The grain and fruit they take are, probably, but small wages for the service they perform.

In connection, how few have any respect or feeling for toads, or know how valuable they are to the gardener.

Apropos of insects. One of the most effectual modes of combating them is, now, at this slack season, to go round with an old knife, and grope in the cracks of fences, trees, outbuildings, etc. The quantity that can be found is astonishing; and every one destroyed now, prevents the hatching of hundreds or thousands of the feeding ones next summer. The common directions for dusting with ashes, lime, etc., is to do it when the dew is on; it then sticks to the leaves, and makes the plants look unsightly, if it does not seriously injure, by choking them. I, therefore, have adopted doing it on a still day, when the foliage is dry. The bodies of the insects against which this means is effectual (Pear Slug, for instance) are viscid, and the dust will stick to them only, which is what is wanted.

Picking off is the only remedy against many. To those who object to fingering them, I would suggest the use of a pair of light spring-steel nippers, set to open about half an inch at the points. A slight squeeze will settle them; or they may be dropped into a cup containing a little common oil. A small, spring-bottom can of oil is a good weapon against the hairy caterpillars sometimes so numerous. Two or three drops squirted on them effectually disposes of them.

It is recommended to hang wide-mouthed bottles, half filled with sweetened water, among fruits attacked by wasps and flies. Tried and abandoned it, thinking it attracted them in greater numbers, and the fruit suffered more than it would have done had they not been there.

Think the value of the carnivorous beetle (chiefly represented here by the well-known Lady Bird, invaluable, both in the grub and perfect state, as the enemy of Plant Lice and Squash Bugs) is not sufficiently known.

The Humble Bee should be respected. Vide Darwin, who states it is the only insect that can impregnate Red Clover.