CHAPTER XXIII
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIRDS
To-day, from Halifax to Los Angeles, and from Key West to Victoria, a deadly contest is being waged. The fruit-growers, farmers, forest owners and "park people" are engaged in a struggle with the insect hordes for the possession of the trees, shrubs and crops. Go out into the open, with your eyes open, and you will see it for yourself. Millions of dollars are being expended in it. Look at this exhibit of what is going on around me, at this very moment,—July 19, 1912:
The bag insects, in thousands, are devouring the leaves of locust and maple trees.
The elm beetles are trying to devour the elms; and spraying is in progress.
The hickory-bark borers are slaughtering the hickories; and even some park people are neglecting to take the measures necessary to stop it!
The tent caterpillars are being burned.
The aphis (scale insects) are devouring the tops of the white potatoes in the New York University school garden, just as the potato beetle does.
The codling moth larvae are already at work on the apples.
The leaves affected by the witch hazel gall fly are being cut off and burned.