Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women - Wise Acres Yearbook (Ambler, PA)

Page 12 text:

 What is it, father, that says; “clickit”, And then a loud, ‘‘bang bang” I hear it often in the thicket, Where you and mother sang? “It sounds so hard and sharp, so shrill, As it rattles through the wood. And afterward all is so still: I tremble from head to foot.” “I’ve trembled too, as your mother’s done, Though often we’ve heard the noise. ’Tis the shot you hear from the hunter’s gun, That peace and life destroys. “’Tis claimed that hunting’s a harmless art And fosters manly virtues; And brings man close to nature’s heart— But that is not a bird’s view. “It seems to me if man’s desire Is, nature to know and cherish, He’d better with his gun retire, Ere some of her beauties perish. “This, my child, is your father’s view But I am; only a bird ; Yet animals and some men, few, Agree with me, I’ve heard.” Mr. Dutcher replied in a letter signed by himself though written by his secretary. In part, he said; “I enjoyed reading your poem, “A Bird’s View.” It expresses my own views too. If we could only make man realize he! is working against his own interests when he kills the birds; but our hope for the future lies in the younger generation, whom we must educate. The work is going on briskly, and many, many children are interested.” There is an old adage which says: “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” The ornithologist says: “One bird in the bush is worth two in the hand.” God speed his efforts, and all praise to the band of wildlife conservationists, of which the Honorable William Dutcher is a strong beacon-light. HOPE H. GIRARD. 6

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(JHore |Mmt0r to Pulliam plutcfyer The hard and untiring work incident to bringing about a reform or a conservation is often lost sight of in ultimate results. Today in practically every state in the United States attention is paid to the study of bird life; lectures are given on the economic value of bird protection and effort is made to show the inestimable value of our birds to the farmer and to all vegetation. The schools all over the country are encouraging interest in birds; in observation of their habits, food, and dwelling places; in the actual making of bird houses, bird shelters and drinking and bathing stations. Not many years ago a knowledge of bird life was relegated to the ornithologist almost solely, and though at times the nature lover joined the scientist in his ramble it was rare to find a layman aware of the intrinsic value of that part of earth’s creation—the bird. An Audubon society existed only where a scientist was able to gather a few enthusiasts about him. Bird reservations were unknown. Today hundreds of acres of land,, inland and island, are set aside by our government and purchased in other instances by public spirited benefactors and given over to the National Association of Audubon Societies for the preservation of bird life. Thus have grown up bird reservations where birds can sojourn and breed unmolested. One of the foremost and most untiring workers is Mr. William Dutcher, president of the National Association of Audubon Societies, an incorporated body with headquarters at 1974 Broadway, New York city. The secretary of the association, Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, writes on p. 205 of the May-June issue of Bird Lore, 1916: “About five and a half years have now elapsed since William Dutcher, President of this Association, was stricken with paralysis. During all this time he has been unable to speak or engage in activities of any'character. His mind is, in many ways, as clear as ever, and he follows with the keenest interest every effort of the Association. He reads continually, and by his gestures frequently communicates his desire to Mrs. Dutcher, his sister, or his attendant, that he wishes cut, from a newspaper or magazine that he has been reading, some note in reference to the protection of wild birds or animals. “To those who have lately come into the field of wild-life conservation, the great work of Mr. Dutcher should be told again and again. It was he who gave life and purpose to the National Committee of Societies, twelve or fifteen years ago; and, largely due to his energy and foresight, the National Association was organized eleven years ago last January. The people) of America owe him a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. “This feeling of appreciation of Mr. Dutcher is felt by thousands of persons throughout the country, who havq never told Mr. Dutcher a word about it. I wish to take this opportunity to say to the members and friends of the Association, that anyone who feels disposed to write him a letter at any time may feel assured that their message will be received by Mr. Dutcher with the greatest pleasure.” In answer to that invitation a nature lover and conservationist at heart, who through ill-health is also more; or less handicapped, sent the following poem, “A Bird’s View”, to Mr. Dutcher. 5

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®lje |3r0paseii pee pause The members of this year’s bee keeping class who have worked so industriously and intelligently out in the school apiary, have probably had a greater stimulus before them than previous classes in the promise of a bee house. It might almost be called a honey house, as there all the extracting and bottling of honey will take place; but bee house seems the larger term since everything to do with the bees is kept there. “A place for everything and everything in its place.” What a change from former things when all supplies were kept in the cellar, stacked up and piled together, and much time was lost and patience put to trial, when there were hurried calls in the apiary, and what was needed could not be found. Then, too, think of the hard work wheeling 500 pounds of honey in heavy supers all the way from the apiary to the spring house where the extracting was done. The bottles were washed at the house and placed in a clothes basket on a wheelbarrow and wheeled down to the spring house; because, of course, to wash everything clean, one must have hot water and soap, not spring water. After the honey was extracted and bottled, the 500 bottles were placed in crates; and many a wheelbarrow load was taken to the Jam Kitchen, where the stickiness was removed by cloths dipped in very hot water. Then the labels were pasted on and the honey was ready for sale. Therefore, at extracting time, three different, and one might almost call them remote, localities at the School of Horticulture were upset, or at any rate, disturbed by the proceeding. Not to mention the line of bees that followed the wheelbarrow loads and sat outside the spring house door, which, in spite of the hot weather, had to be kept tightly closed. These same bees took gladly, one might almost say thankfully, to, the sticky bottles, and followed them on their trip to the Jam Kitchen; thus forming two lines dangerous to pass, as indeed, Joe, the Italian boy, and one of the maids can testify, as well as some of the students at work in their little gardens near the greenhouse. So a new era will open to the students of apiculture in which they will have a place where work can be done in the most approved and up to date fashion. The bee house must be bee proof or tightly screened, so as to eliminate all danger of robbing. It must be mouse proof or at least have receptacles to keep the extra combs safe from mice or wax moths, so that each year one third of the bees’ work of the previous summer will not be wasted. In the new bee house each student should have her work bench, where while constructing a hive, she may become familiar with its intricate parts. The work benches can be covered with white oil cloth, so that when the honey is extracted the bottles of honey can be neatly placed there to be wiped and labeled, or the empty bottles placed in a row to fill. The floor of the bee house should be of such material as can be washed out thoroughly; for honey, in spite of the greatest care, has a strong propensity to get on the floor. A cement or concrete floor could be well washed out and would prove a difficult barrier to the entrance of field mice. 7