How baffling is the problem of the birds! It beats at us sharply in February, because early flowers are opening in warm places - flowers of a kind that the birds find a peculiar pleasure in pulling to pieces. And then, still more serious, there is the question of the fruit buds. The fruit lover who is also a bird lover is nonplussed when sparrows strip his Gooseberry bushes of their buds, and finches wanton with the fat treasure-houses of the Pears and Plums. Our sympathies are with him, for we, too, are gardeners, and we know how poignant the sorrow is.

Birds have multiplied greatly in gardens of recent years, partly, perhaps, as a result of the Wild Birds' Protection Acts (which create a close time), partly owing to the reduction in the area devoted to cereal crops on the farms, and partly, no doubt, because gardeners themselves have multiplied, and obligingly provided a great deal more food than there used to be. Of course, the Acts do not debar a person from killing birds on his own property if he thinks proper to do so, although many people are under the mistaken impression that they do. But who can kill a bird without bitter pangs? It is almost as bad as having to cut down a tree. I do not believe that birds should be killed, except in entirely special circumstances. The most that I can find it in my heart to say is, that I think one or two kinds might be reduced to some extent with advantage. There is the house sparrow, for example. He not only does untold mischief, but he obviously glories in it. His impudent chirp from the edge of the roof gutter (he is particularly partial to this position, because it enables him to cock his head about, and ruffle his feathers, and pretend to make swoops down) is almost as exasperating as his vicious habit of pulling off every yellow flower that he can fasten his beak on. Then there is the blackbird. He adds to his sins by constantly starting up unexpectedly, and making you jump out of your skin by hurtling off with a piercing shriek. Thirdly, there is the bullfinch. He neither makes fun of you nor startles you. He pursues his devious ways quietly and unobtrusively. But what a hardened ruffian he is! One healthy bullfinch is calculated to make the most philosophical fruit grower boil with rage, and to drive the meekest amateur to a shot-gun.

Threads strung among fruit bushes and over flowers check birds, while certainly a spray of limewash over fruit trees has a good effect. February is a good month for applying such a spray, and it may be made of the right consistency with the following ingredients:

A Lime And Salt Spray For Fruit Trees

18 lbs. of lime 3 lbs. of salt I lb. of waterglass 8 gls. of water.

The spray will not only baffle birds, but will reduce moss and scale.

Amateurs in districts where late frosts are common should particularly make a point of using this wash, because, in addition to its virtues as a cleanser and a circumventer of birds, it retards the opening of the buds, and tends therefore to reduce injury from frost.

Frost And Its Effects On Blossoms And Plants

Speaking of frost, those who are forming new gardens should bear in mind the conditions that make for severe frost, and take care to avoid putting plants that are likely to suffer the worst from frost into situations subjected to the greatest severity. Contrary to general belief, moist vapour near the earth is a preventative of frost, and but for cold air sinking down from higher altitudes the low level would be the safer. Even as it is, it is generally fairly safe if there is a body of water near. Without this the low site is certainly dangerous.

Sharp frost when the blossom is open is generally disastrous. What we want is some kind fairy to spread her gauzy robe over our fruit trees on those piercingly clear nights when there is nothing to check the radiation of moisture from the earth. Her lightest skirt would serve the purpose as well as the clumsiest fabric which we could fit up. But frost does not necessarily kill even tender plants if they are thawed properly. The way to thaw them with safety is to syringe them with cold water in shade, not to put them into a sunny place.