BIOTIA. See [Aster corymbosus.]
BIPARTITE. Divided into two nearly to the base.
BIPINNATE. Twice pinnate.
BIPINNATIFID, or BIPINNATIPARTED. Having both primary and secondary segments of a leaf divided, but not to the base.
BIPLICATE. Having two folds or plaits.
BIRCH. See [Betula.]
BIRD-CHERRY. See Cerasus Padus.
BIRDLIME. A preparation made from Mistletoe berries and Holly bark. It is used for catching birds.
BIRD-PEPPER. See [Capsicum baccatum.]
BIRDS. As a class, Birds are very much more useful than hurtful in gardens. Owls are of great use in catching mice, and Night-jars in catching night-flying insects. Rooks are very useful in lessening the numbers of wire-worms, and of hurtful insects in general; but, if very numerous, they may be driven to eat potatoes and other vegetable food, and may then do harm. The same may be said of Starlings. Blackbirds and Thrushes feed much on snails and worms, but they also feed on the ripe fruits in gardens. As a rule, slender-billed birds feed almost wholly on insects or other animals, and are to be encouraged in gardens at all seasons. Among these may be enumerated the Tree-creeper, Wryneck, Warblers, and Wrens of various kinds, Chats, Hedge-sparrow, Larks, Redstart, Robin, Titmice, and Wagtails. Swifts, Swallows, and Martins, are also great destroyers of insects. The Finches feed, in part, on insects, but also eat large quantities of seeds, and often do considerable damage among plants grown for seed, e.g., Cabbages, and in the seed-beds. Sparrows are about the most troublesome, though they are often assisted by Buntings, Chaffinches, Linnets, and others. When seed-beds or fruits have to be protected, this may be done by nets; or, more simply, by threads tied to sticks a few inches above the surface of the ground, or in front of the trees.