ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

NEBRASKA.
1896,

By JOSHPH I. HADEINSON,

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Davip UNDERWoOop REED.

Pon UA ae ORT

OF THE

NEBRASKA

Stale Horticultural Society

Hor the Year 1896,

CONTAINING THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
HELD AT LINCOLN, JANUARY, 1896.

THE SMALL ERUITS.
THE BIRDS OF NEBRASKA.

iBRAR>
etary. 2
KREW YORK
BOTANICAL

By JOSEPH H. HADKINSON, &

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.) 2 w => FRUITS ——) 4)
WeSES Sidon ion ee
hy 1861. — ee
poe, wae),

LINCOLN, NEB.:
PUBLISHED BY THE STATE,
1896.

STATE JOURNAL COMPANY,
PRINTERS,
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA,

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

To His Excellency, Stuas A. Honcome, Governor of Nebraska:
In compliance with statute this report is respectfully submitted.

JOSEPH H. HADKINSON,
Secretary State Horticultural Society.
Lincoln, May 1, 1896.

; Sa et
Vena RS

2
JEW YORK
BOTANICAL

CON TEN TS:

THE SMALL FRuITS— PAGE
General Papers and Discussion...............0++++ 12-45, 185-202
Notes on the Botany of the Strawberry. .............s00e0-s000 237
Dotany oh the Bush: Bruitsicis. i: otcacsecececteececads tie aiatssie dues 241

THe Brrpos or NEBRASKA—

EM MOCPTTGE TOU Ssh Geceveas tthe waaay ince ogee rgeleties saeaGaee Mente 48
remarks About Birds in General... .c.02 cla cc decane os eoceees 50
WEIS Tra ING eNOLEO eres bende ean essen eertcersucccdenmsinsntaceeat 57
POCA GU KX cc laas!ctclec cantare aes soa Sian oo e's eta. naluc'ele oe Spee deat votes 164

Preparation of Soil for Orchard and Garden ...................0000 9

Sunshine and Cloudiness in Nebraska.........002.c.sccsececceesteces 45

GSE UATOUS’ ON Ol VLOISHUT Es \ ai vicaat cosa cnc aiva Suecis wun cal waeaabdecees 179

Prema ae amine Ole LN TUNE aces civecceitsacnsis'saces advatseatnaneccanedecsed 203

MINES edt EL OCIGI LUTE: <0 500 ka soda dewenswniss ¢ okie co velveus eeaiemawse:s oes 209

Discussion on the Peach in Nebraska........0.sscceevecceeseeecesouers 223

Trrigation for Orchard and Garden ....,....0.00e00ee0« ideation s seaar 224

eee RCM st OUR CSS Gr ouccan oe vere us ckrannet Godiein rence omen eo esete ae bute 256

Ce WONt gcc scopic esc yskciqeaban gin dasces ucasunnat dusiacaben ede 259

Proceedings of Summer and Winter Meetings................00s00+ 264

PREFACE.

Continuing the policy of the Society in recent years, commenced
by our past Secretary, Professor F. W. Taylor, certain special subjects
are taken up and exhaustively treated in this volume.

The Secretary feels that some explanation should be made regarding
the matter appearing in this report. Much of it had been arranged
for by the late lamented Secretary, D. U. Reed, whose untimely death
left the Society for some months previous to the winter meeting with-
out an active Secretary. During that time the executive board, and
members of the Society who were conversant with the details of the
proposed volume, completed the arrangements for the matter needed.
_ At the close of the winter meeting the newly elected Secretary took up
the work as best he could, and wishes to thank his friends for their
kindness in helping him, not forgetting his appreciation of the excel-
lent planning which had been’done previous to his coming into pos-
session of the office, and begs indulgence for any errors or omissions
which may have occurred in the work as the result of the change
in officers during the preparation of this report.

PREPARATION OF SOIL FOR ORCHARD AND GARDEN
WORK.

PETER YOUNGERS, JR.

As the two things most essential to plant life are air and water, so
in the preparation of the soil the prime object should be to so pre-
pare it as to retain all the moisture possible. All living plants con-
tain a very large per cent of water. or instance, the potato contains
nearly 75 per cent, while experiments have developed the fact that an
ash tree cut down in January contained 29 per cent of water, maple
34 per cent, and fir 53 per cent. The same kinds of trees felled early
in April contained 39, 40, and 61 per cent respectively. This water
must come from the soil, and as the roots are the feeders that convey
it to the plant or body of the tree, the most essential thing is the feed-
ing ground of the roots.

The soil of a large portion of Nebraska is of a very refractory char-
acter, and in order to properly fit it for the orchard and garden it is
very essential that it be loosened as deep as possible with the imple-
ments of the day for the purpose of storing the moisture necessary to
plant life. We find by experiments conducted on our nursery grounds
the past season that the preparation of the soil has much to do with
the relative amount of water it will retain. We sent samples of soil
daily to the Department of Agriculture at Washington, commencing
on the 2d day of May and continuing until September 13. These
samples were taken at 6 o’clock p. M. in brass tubes about eighteen
inches long. The tubes were driven into the ground to the depth of
sixteen inches, then taken up and tightly sealed with rubber caps,
making them air tight, and sent to Washington. There each sample
was carefully weighed, all the moisture extracted, and weighed again
to determine the amount of moisture in each sample. The samples
were all taken within a radius of ten rods, the ground having been se-

2 (9)

10 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

lected with a view to the experiment. Sample No. 1 was taken from
prairie sod, No. 2 from land plowed eight inches deep, and No. 3 from
land subsoiled sixteen inches deep in the fall of 1894. The average
amount of moisture in each kind of soil for each month during the

growing season was as follows:
No.1. No.2 No. 3.

DG. on cn sniocciosee nace 14 santana eunens cneieutasiesammgens 12.41 14.09 16.41
Si rE er tree errr hee 15.80 16.10 20.41
MIO wae veSincenaevendvs 2 ss tues cen teeae aes eae 14.46 12.98 17.45
PRMQUEE: «4 .snecsesmesoves sesnoeiPewecenens nadeseiaanih Wiel s tc aaa mem iceee
September (first 13 days) .:/..20-.anccsescenmnscees 10.82 12.385 14.37

Now using the land under ordinary cultivation as a basis, it will be
seen from the foregoing table that the increase of moisture in the sub-
soiled land over that in the land under ordinary cultivation during
the month of May was 16.18 per cent; June, 26.77; July, 34.43 ;
and for August, 54.06, or more than half as much again. This is
certainly a remarkable showing in favor of deep stirring of the soil,
and I firmly believe that a large percentage of the failures in orchard
and garden work are due to the neglect of planters in this respect.

For the past nine years we have used the subsoil plow and tree
digger to loosen up the soil. Our method is to follow the ordinary
stirring plow set to run eight inches deep, with a subsoil plow also
running eight inches deep. This plow does not throw the earth to the
surface, but merely loosens it up in the bottom of the furrow. The
next furrow of the stirring plow covers up the subsoiled land, and in
this manner the rich surface soil is always retained on top. Every
evening we harrow or plank down the ground plowed during the day,
as it works down much better when harrowed before it dries out.
Should the soil be dry and hard, so as to plow up in large lumps, we
put on a disc harrow to pulverize the lumps and fill up the crevices,
otherwise the wind and sun would soon dry out the ground almost as
deep as plowed. After we have firmed the ground in this manner,
we harrow it with a smoothing harrow and plank it, if necessary, to
get it in good condition. After we have the reservoir ready to receive
the moisture, the next thing is to keep the surface loose by frequent
stirring, and success will crown the efforts of the orchardist and gar-
dener.

PREPARATION OF SOIL. 11

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Witcox—Mr. Youngers, will you describe that float you use?

Mr. YounGERS—It is made of three planks twelve feet long, spiked
together. The teamster rides on it to weight it down.

QuESTION—Where you have a loose surface do you have any
trouble from the soil drifting?

Mr. YounGerRs—We overcome that by ridging up with the culti-
vator over the seeds or whatever is planted. That will prevent the
soil from drifting.

Mr. Witcox—How long do those plow points last? Is there any
difference in the makes?

Mr. YounaERsS—We used the Mapes plow four years and had two
points put on it in that time.

Mr. Brown—A season like last fall the Mapes plow would wear
out on about thirty acres.

Mr. YouncErs—The new plow that we have been using this fall
is the plow manufactured at Topeka, the Perine plow. It is made on
the same plan as the Grand Detour, but draws a whole lot easier.

Proressor Lyon—Have you made any tests of that ground
plowed with the Perine plow to determine the amount of moisture in
it?

Mr. YouNGERS—No, sir; we have only used it this last fall. We
plowed about forty acres with it and find it does good work and is
lighter draft than the old style plow.

QueEstTion—Is it any lighter than a stirring plow?

Mr. YouncErs—There is not much difference in the draft, though
our teamsters would rather put their teams on the subsoiler than on
the stirring plow, for the reason that the horse walking in the furrow
has solid footing, while the furrow horse of the lead team has to walk
on soft ground.

QuEsTION—Which have you found productive of the best results,
fall subsoiling or spring subsoiling?

Mr. Youncers—We have tried both fall and spring, and I would
say fall for the reason that we then have a chance to pulverize the
surface and retain all the moisture that falls.

QuEstion— What do these plows cost ?

Mr. YounecErs—About twelve dollars.

12 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. HeatrH—Can you go deeper than eight inches?

Mr. YounGErs—Yes, sir; you can go down sixteen inches if you
put on horse power enough.

Mr. Heatu—lIs it desirable to go very deep?

Mr. Younaers—We have never exceeded sixteen inches; I think
we started in at about fourteen inches.

THe PrestIpENtT—One word further in regard to the Perine sub-
soil plow; his latest and best plow has two points made from very
excellent steel tempered hard. Youcan have your blacksmith temper
them each time you have them sharpened, and by sharpening the
points daily you can penetrate a very dry subsoil much more readily
and to a greater depth.

QuEstion—How long will the effects of subsoiling last?

Mr. Youncers—lIt will last four or five years.

Mr. BrowN—I believe the third year is better than the first.

SUCCESS WITH STRAWBERRIES.
L. 0. WILLIAMS.

Success with most any business enterprise is accompanied with oc-
casional reverses, and successful strawberry growing especially is not
unmixed with more or less frequent failures. The failures, however,
may be due to causes outside of our control, and our success must be
largely measured, therefore, by the ability with which the grower per-
forms his part of the work,—“Act well your part, there all the honor
lies,’—let God and nature do the rest. It will be my aim then in this
paper to name some of the conditions of success that lie within the
range of man’s abilities.

The first condition of success I would name is the selection of a suit-
able soil and location. The saying that any good corn land is suitable
for strawberries I would amend by substituting garden soil for “ corn
land.” Strawberries certainly appreciate good soil as well as good
cultivation, and though corn land may be good, garden land is cer-
tainly better. Any soil that will grow good potatoes is very suitable,
and there is no crop better than potatoes or other root crops to precede

SUCCESS WITH STRAWBERRIES. Ne

the strawberry planting. In selecting the location for a strawberry
plantation avoid, if possible, low wet land or narrow valleys where
frosts form frequently. Second bottom land, reasonably well drained
from both water and air, would be my choice.

Preparation of the soil is quite an important element of success.
Fall plowing with subsoiling is the first step to be taken. If manure
is needed, apply it lightly on the surface of the plowed land, using
fine, well rotted—cow manure preferred. In the spring, cultivate the
manure into the surface soil and finish with a thorough harrowing,
clod crushing, and leveling. A. disc harrow is an excellent tool for
going over the ground for the first harrowing, and if manure is ap-
plied it will be the best tool for mixing the manure with the soil.

After ground is nicely smoothed, go over with a hand marker of
three or four runners set three and one-half to four feet apart. If
you have not young plants of your own growing, secure them of the
nearest reliable grower, and if possible have them arrive at the proper
time for planting. April is the best month for this important work,
and the exact date will be determined by the nature of both the soil
and the season. I would never set a plant when the soil is wet enough
to pack about the roots, preferring rather to set in adry time and water
about the roots, dressing around the crown with dry earth.

The common method of planting is with the spade, a man handling
it, while a boy places the plants in position. My plan, which I like
better, is in the use of a broad dibble for making the hole, the man
setting the plant without any boy assistant. These dibbles I have
made to my order by a blacksmith. They consist of a steel plate
three inches wide and eight inches or ten inches long, tapering to a
broad round point at lower end, and with a wooden handle set at a
right angle to the upper end. With this sort of a tool a competent
man can set 1,500 plants in a day, and do the work well. The plants
should be carried, 100 or 200 at atime, in a dish holding enough
water to cover the roots. Opening the hole with my dibble in the
right hand, I take a plant in my left and place in position, holding it
by the crown while I fill and press the earth about the roots with the
point of the dibble. The pressing of the earth about the roots is a
very important matter and one quite generally neglected by careless
planters, who simply press lightly about the crown of the plant, leav-
ing the roots with an air space about them. Where watering is given

14 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

at setting time, it answers well for setting the dirt about the roots and
the final pressure will need be only lightly given while filling up
around the crown.

The distance apart in the row will have to be determined largely by
the vigor of the plants and the varieties. All free running varieties,
like Crescent, should be set two feet apart, if the plants are reasonably
well rooted and otherwise good, while the varieties which throw out
runners less freely, like Parker Karl and Bubach, should be eighteen
inches, or even closer if plants are not vigorous. Some southern
growers advocate setting the free growing sorts three feet apart in rows*
four feet apart. With good plants, good weather, and other things
being equal, I have no question but that this would be a proper dis-
tance. It is easier, however, to thin out than to thicken up, and if
runners become too matted near the close ‘of the season, spare not the
knife in thinning them. Usually the drouth, careless hoers, moles, or
grub worms do all necessary thinning, and frequently more.

Cultivation follows planting next in importance, and should begin
about as soon as the former ceases. [t should be continued at inter-
vals of every two weeks throughout the growing season. Every cul-
tivation with the horse should be followed as soon as possible with the
hoes. I use the Planet Jr. horse hoe and cultivator with a narrow
one and one-fourth inch shovel during the early summer. Later in
the season I use the broad three sweep shovels. These tend to ridge
the rows lightly, which, I believe, is an advantage in drainage. Of
all the hoes I have ever tried, both new-fangled and old- Pahignel
there is nothing I like better i doing good honest work than the
common garden hoe. I prefer a light hoe, however, for strawberries
—one that has been worn down by one season’s filing is all right, and
this I sharpen on three sides or edges, so that I can use the hoe for
cutting weeds, or stirring the soil by either a right or left side stroke,
as well as by a straight forward stroke. It is an easy matter, com-
paratively, to get suitable tools for my work, but not so easy to secure
the right kind of workers—they are neither custom made nor easily
made to order. It requires a man of mind as well as muscle to skill-
fully guide a hoe in a strawberry bed.

Varieties.—Though this topic is the last in the order of the condi-
tions named for successful strawberry growing, it is not the least in
importance. Some of our eastern growers catalogue and describe as

SUCCESS WITH STRAWBERRIES. 15

high as fifty or more different varieties, and with the advent each year
of the growing number of highly praised new sorts, it is a puzzling
question for the amateur to make proper selections. My advice to
such is, stand fast by the old time-tried varieties and let the other man
do the buying of the new varieties, though this work should properly
be given to our state and local experiment stations. There are enough
of the old varieties that are known to succeed in nearly all soils and
climates, so that it should not be difficult to select a list of a half dozen
varieties for either the table or market. For the family garden in
either Iowa or Nebraska, I would name the following as the best six
varieties :
Early— Warfield, fertilized with Beder Wood.
Medium—Bubach, and Haverland fertilized with Parker Earl.
Late—Mt. Vernon, a self-fertilizer.

For the commercial plantation I would plant Crescent, Warfield,
Beder Wood, Bubach, Parker Earl, Mt. Vernon, and Gandy. This
list may be profitably extended to include the Capt. Jack, Haverland,
Gov. Hoard, and some newer varieties. A long list of varieties can be
better employed in a strawberry plantation than in an apple orchard.

PROFITS OF STRAWBERRY GROWING.

The following estimates on one acre of strawberries are made from
the basis of an average crop for ten years, or more, actual experience,
but does not take into account an occasional total failure, resulting
from severe drouth or late frosts:

Hapense.
ROUT MAINA AL Ped. cosegwee cxeses cocncncecists corner sve cas teseee see r= $21 00
Ree PEE TENE DNCUSAINE . 5 cots saicce sno vce «colcoe Conese ead nts cancev sas sae ose 7 00
Beli MyaiNOUMIMAM NGL. o.cccccce es -ksscccceceesaeseserevanserereeee OOLOU
Cultivation, horse ely ee SiS Bit) Soe cease 3 00
Covering, three loads of ay. at $1... Std PPE PTE 3 00
Covering, hauling, and eRe” HUN NNO AY, 3 00
RPM COUN Fc earieta cc aseoteeicn since ta snesiese sec cesses se 7 00
Ree PPM BIO sie feujass/vestavctescconce:seccss ccs sae css se 5 00

Mota costiof production.s...0....i%.ss0dssseteacecesecsae! GEO 100

16 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Picking 3,200 quarts, at 2 cents.. dvd Weds Spitea che Wiese Li pO OO
Boxes and crates (filled crates at 15 ee Heresies die wary UP SO IOO
Marketing, 10 per cent commission ..3c.cceecsenestsecy «seers ses 32 00

Grand total |... 024+ sds sodas eee en eee ieee eee $195 00

Cost of packing boxes, etc., $116.
Proceeds.

3,200 quarts, at 10’cents each .............0c0cne Shs ASR 320 00

Net proceeds: per acre :.iwzesd2enmaauanenueeeenere tagtaaae $125 00
Cost of production per box (about) ........ se pNcshawaneccmivneat 23 cents
Cost of picking, marketing, etc., per box ........ .escpesessesees 52 cents

Total cost of production and marketing, per box...... 64 cents
Net profits per box, 3% cents.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Betrzer—Is it not a detriment to the plant if the roots are
very long to cut them off before setting ?

Mr. WiLi1aMs—No, sir; I advise trimming the roots to a certain
extent. There is very little advantage to the plant to have the roots
longer than three inches,

Mr. Be_rzer—What are the advantages of trimming ?

Mr. Wiiurams—You are more liable to get the roots down
straight; then they will throw out new roots in a very little while,
and it is these new roots that the plant depends on for feeders. It is
especially desirable to trim back the roots if the plants have been
packed or have lain for sometime, as in that case the lower ends of the
roots will become somewhat wilted.

Mr. HarrLtey—Can you figure on ten cents a box throughout the
season? Is not that estimate a little high ?

Mr. WILL1AMs—No, sir; I think they will average more than that.

Mr. HartrLey—Berries are shipped in from the south generally for
about $2 a case for the season, which would only be eight and one-
third cents a quart.

Mr. WiLiiamMs—I realize that very well, but as a rule I have been
able to get as much for my berries at wholesale as the berries that are
shipped in retail for. There is just that difference between home

GROWING STRAWBERRIES BY IRRIGATION. 17

berries and those that are shipped in. The first year—ten years ago
the coming spring—lI got fifteen cents a quart on an average at whole-
sale for every berry I grew. Of course, I had the expense to pay out
of that, which would still leave the average considerably above ten
cents. The second crop I raised brought me an average of twelve
and one-half cents a quart, and the third year about ten and one-half
cents.

A MEemMBER—Which variety gives the most berries ?

Mr. Wititrams—The Warfield. I regard the Beder Wood as the
best fertilizer, from the fact that it is a good bearer itself as well as a
fertilizer.

GROWING STRAWBERRIES BY IRRIGATION.
J. W. STEVENSON.

I commenced growing strawberries in 1882 in the Platte valley at
North Bend, Dodge county, Neb., and fair success crowned my efforts
whenever the rainfall was sufficient during the year. The soil here is
rich clay loam, with slight mixture of sand, and beneath this there is
about eight feet of blue clay or gumbo, interspersed with veins of
sand. When we bore through this clay we strike the gravel and
quicksand and the water rapidly rises within eight feet of the surface
when the water is low in the river. This supply of water is inex-
haustible. Well points are driven down twenty-two to twenty-five
feet below the surface, and cylinders are usually placed four feet be-
low the surface or four feet from the water.

I commenced irrigating about August 1, 1894, using two ten-foot
windmills with three and one-half-inch cylinders, one and one-fourth-
inch feed pipes and points, and one and one-half-inch discharge pipes,
but should have used one and one-half-inch feed pipe and one and three-
fourths or two inch discharge pipes. I used the longest stroke these
mills would allow, which was seven inches. The water was lifted
above the surface ten feet and discharged into a barrel, into the bottom
of which was attached a one and one-half-inch pipe eight feet long, to
which connection was made with two lead pipes one inch in diameter.

The discharge pipe is two feet higher than the spout, attached to it to

18 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

prevent the water slopping over. I let these two mills and pumps
run night and day, and they would pump 200 to 800 barrels each in
twenty-four hours. ‘They cost me about as follows:

'Fwo ten=foot mills and towers 622. /2i2..cceusseutemenh stot ec se ares $100 00
@ylinders; pipes, and points)..72.,.acss2-seesaseeeee meee ee eee nears 25 00
400 féet'of: ‘one-inch ‘gas pipes. oc. ea toceeuctelnet pemeeestanes exten: 22 00
50 feet. of one-inch: Ose si.5..,<ccscvesseetac sci uacesmurseeaa ravenay 6 00

$153 00
Value of labor spent in applying water in 1894 ........ se eeeee 50 00

I did not derive the benefit from these irrigation plants I would
have if I had used them earlier in the season of 1894, but they saved
me five acres of plants, which, notwithstanding the destructive frosts
of May, 1895, yielded me 4,000 quarts of strawberries and $500
worth of plants. The plants wintered through the past dry winter in
a very healthy condition, and in digging and counting plants we sel-
dom found a dead plant.

The past year I have thoroughly irrigated seven acres of strawberry
plants and about three acres of other plants and trees with the two ten-
foot mills and three pumps. The third pump was located about three
hundred feet from one of the mills and was attached to it by quad-
rants and wire. The mill did not have sufficient power to run both
pumps at same time, as the distant pump had a six-inch cylinder. I
have remedied this by erecting over this larger pump a twelve-foot
heavy mogul mill, which allows a twelve-inch stroke and will run the
smaller pump with the quadrants and wires. This smaller pump will
have four-inch cylinder, allowing a twelve-inch stroke, and will pump
about 1,600 barrels in twenty-four hours. I am satisfied that this
twelve-foot mill will operate the six and four inch pumps at the same
time, and with a brisk wind will pump 3,000 to 4,500 barrels in
twenty-four hours.

This twelve-foot mill and tower Cost..,........scscecesececsecces $100 00
Cylinder point and-pipe .........,.sesecevrassdeeeeesene tamara 35 00
200 feet of one and one-fourth-inch pipe..........s.seceeeeeeees 20 00
35 feet of one and one-fourth-inch hose...........seecececesseeee 8 00

$163 00

Estimate of value of labor in irrigating, 1895..........:sseee 100 00

GROWING STRAWBERRIES BY IRRIGATION. 19

I expect this mill and two pumps to irrigate fifteen acres of land in
1896. I could spare two million of plants, of value of $5,000, and
have plenty of plants left to yield me 25,000 quarts or more of straw-
berries.

APPLYING THE WATER.

I have used one-inch and one and one-fourth-inch gas pipe for lead
pipes to conduct the water to points most convenient for distributing
it. I Jay them temporarily on the surface of the ground, and move
them when needed elsewhere. One and one-fourth-inch pipe is about
as large as one man can conveniently take apart, move, and screw
together. A few short joints of rubber hose are very convenient for
varying the direction of the pipes, instead of using elbows or Ts.
Twenty-five feet of hose at the end of the extension of pipes is quite
necessary for applying the water. I also use ditches and wooden
troughs as far as practicable. Swales and other irregularities of the
surface have been a great hindrance.

I usually apply the water between the rows of plants, and if it has
had sufficient time to soak in, only half the rows need water be-
tween them. If only rapidly flooded, apply to each row and dam
the water so it will come even with the plants. Once in a week
is often enough for a thorough watering in summer. In the spring,
when the mulching is on the ground, the waterings need not be so
frequent. I commence watering in March before frost is all out, and
before the mulching is off the plants and continue it till November.
I aim to have the ground well moistened before it freezes and soon
after cover with mulching. The rows of plants should run in the
direction most advantageous for conducting the water, but should
have a very moderate incline. I have not tried to use earthen reser-
voirs or large lumber tanks, and do not care to use them. I have
been informed that some who have tried earthen reservoirs on this
bottom land have not been successful with them. They will leak, and
moles bore holes in the banks, ete.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

The windmill is the cheapest power we have, but often in the
hottest, driest weather in July and August the wind fails to do its
duty and the supply of water is short also. A horse power or engine

20 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

to assist at such times would be a great advantage. Would recom-
mend mills of ample power to pump when the wind is very moderate.
If water is only eight to ten feet below the surface, use a six-inch
cylinder to a ten-foot mill or an eight to ten inch cylinder to a twelve-
foot geared mill. If water is conducted through pipes, the reservoir
at the pump should be elevated eight to twelve feet, for when pipes
are extended 300 to 400 feet the pressure is greatly neutralized by the
friction.

If you have plenty of water use it abundantly, warm or cold, and
do not slack irrigating if a light shower has fallen. Farmers who
have windmills and plenty of water might, as well as not, use the
surplus water for irrigating a patch of strawberries and other fruit.
Often a few waterings at critical times will be all that is needed.
Often another pump could be used for this purpose and worked by
quadrants and wires, attaching it to the mill several hundred feet dis-
tant. A few dollars thus invested might afford a garden bountiful in
fruit and vegetables in the driest seasons.

I would recommend that the land intended for strawberry plants be
subsoiled eighteen to twenty inches deep in the fall, if it can be done
then, or early in the spring, and then filled with water. If watered
in the fall or winter, the frost will leave it in fine condition for early
spring planting, and will retain moisture a long time.

For subsoiling I have used a breaking plow minus the mould board
or rods, but now use a tree digger such as is used to cut one side of a
row of trees. I can go as deep as I want to with it and I like it full
better than the subsoil plows now used. After irrigating, cultivate
the following day and do not allow the ground to bake and dry.

BENEFITS OF IRRIGATION.

When I commenced irrigating in 1894, the ground was very dry,
the weather extremely hot, and my plants were perishing. They rap-
idly revived when the cold water direct from the well was applied to
them. I was told by many older and more experienced men that such
watering would ruin the plants; that the water should first be warmed
in a tank or reservoir. I had not the time to build tanks or reser-
voirs, so tried the direct application of the water to the plants when-
ever the pump and mill furnished it, and was pleased to observe that
where the plants received the most water they flourished the best.
The plants near a leak in the pipes were especially benefited.

GROWING SMALL FRUITS. a1

The chief difficulty in successfully growing strawberry plants with-
out irrigation has been the dry weather from August till May or June.
The plants would suffer with drouth in August, September, and Oc-
tober, not making sufficient growth; then freezing up dry, many of

‘the plants would be killed outright, and the balance would be so fee-
ble in the spring they were almost worthless for planting out new
beds, or for bearing fruit. Another difficulty has been that often in
the spring, when the fruit was growing, the weather was too dry to
nourish and mature a crop, and one good shower or irrigation would
have increased the yield 100 per cent. By irrigating, the plants can
be continued in vigorous growth till the last of October. They root
deeply, and freezing up in moist soil they are sure to come out of win-
ter keeping in healthy condition, and maintain a vigorous growth till
fruiting time. Such plants are of double value for planting in the
spring over those that have been stunted and injured in growth by a
long fall and winter drouth.

I have no special recommendation to make of varieties of straw-
berries best adapted to irrigation. I have not noticed that irrigation
had any injurious effect on any variety. Varieties whose fruit stems
lay on the ground might be injured near fruiting time if flooded too
much. The careful grower could guard against such danger.

GROWING SMALL FRUITS.

R. D. M’GEEHON.

There are a few things essential in the successful cultivation of all
small fruits :

First—The first is fertility of soil. I mean such a soil as is com-
monly called a good garden soil.

Second—If the ground is not naturally well underdrained, it must
be done artificially.

Third—The ground must be deeply pulverized with plow and _har-
row, or spade.

Fourth—The plants must be healthy and such as have made a
vigorous growth the season before. Never plant an old plant.

22 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Fifth—In moving the plants care must be taken not to mangle and
break the roots, nor allow them to become dry or frozen while out of
the ground,

Sixth—In planting, the roots must be spread and placed as near as
possible in the way they grew.

Seventh—Transplant as early in spring as soil is in good condition
for cultivation.

Eighth—Use cultivator, and hoe freely and often. Don’t allow a
weed to show its head, if possible.

STRAWBERRIES,

The land is best to lie nearly level, as hillsides will wash. A clover
sod, or old pasture, plowed in the fall and a crop of potatoes grown on
it the next season and kept perfectly free from weeds; fall plowed again
after potatoes are dug; then dise harrowed thoroughly in spring, just
before you are ready to plant. After the dise harrow has done all it
can to pulverize the soil, follow it with a good smoothing harrow and
roller or planker. This makes about as good a bed for strawberries as
anything I have tried.

.I have raised good crops of strawberries on land that had grown a
crop of apple seedlings and grape-vines the previous year, by cultivat-
ing with disc and smoothing harrow just before planting them, and
making three to four inches of top soil perfectly mellow,—the seedling
plow had been run fifteen to sixteen inches deep to take up seedling,
and the rows only twenty-eight inches apart. The ground was almost
perfectly subsoiled, and it held the moisture better than spring plowing.

If your ground needs manure, put well rotted stable manure on
your fall plowed ground and harrow it in with the disc and smooth-
ing harrow, in spring just before planting. When you have got your
ground perfectly mellow and smooth, you are ready for your marker.
I use one made like a hand-sled with three runners placed three feet
nine inches apart, marking three rows at a time. Mark vour rows as
straight as possible, as it is easier to cultivate straight rows than crooked
ones. Have your plants trimmed and roots cut back to four or five
inches in length, and be sure they are kept out of the sun and wind.
Let a boy take a bucket with three to four inches of water init. Put
in as many plants as is convenient. Then a man takes a bright,
sharp spade. ‘The man stands on the right-hand side of row, boy on

GROWING SMALL FRUITS. 2

the left. The man sinks his spade in the ground about six inches
deep, right in the row, back of spade towards the boy. When spade
is thrust in the ground, he shoves the handle from him, then draws it
back to him. This makes an opening behind the spade. The boy
takes a plant out of bucket in his right hand, holding it by the crown,
puts the roots down in the opening behind the spade, and holds it
there with the crown level with surface of ground until the man draws
his spade out, and with his left foot tramps the soil up against the
plant. This may be a little awkward at first, but in a half day any
smart boy and man can learn to do it well and speedily. I frequently
have had a boy and man plant from one-half to three-fourths of an
acre in a day, and do the work well.

Within a week or ten days at farthest after planting start your
Planet Jr. cultivator, or eleven-toothed cultivator, and hoes. Culti-
vate shallow. Use small shovels, one and one-fourth inch, on culti-
vator. Keep the ground as level as possible. Keep cultivator and
hoe going through them once every week to ten days, until about the
middle of August. By that time your plants ought to cover about
half the ground, and that is all you want.

Distance BETWEEN PLants.—A wet or a dry season makes a
great difference; also the different varieties makes still more difference.
B. Wood, Warfield, Crescent, Robinson, and C. Jack, two feet apart,
an ordinary season, with good soil and cultivation, will make all
you want and generally more than you want, especially if you have
plenty of rain in July and August. You will have to destroy many
runners or your plants will be so thick your fruit will be small and
poor quality. When your rows are twenty to twenty-four inches
wide, you had better destroy all runners that start out between rows.
Parker Earl, ordinary seasons, has to be planted from twelve to fifteen
inches between plants to make a fair fruiting row. The first B. Wood
and Warfield I ever grew I planted about four and one-half feet
between plants, and by September had perfect rows two feet and over
wide and plants as thick in row as they ought to be to bear the best
quality of fruit. I generally pinch off the first runners that start out,
and all blossoms,—this gives the plants a chance to grow strong and
send out two or three runners about the same time, and the runners
are not in your way so much in hoeing. When runners start out freely,
you can fasten the first ones in the row between plants. Get them

24 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

started in the direction you want them to run and they will not trouble
you so much afterwards.

The first freezing weather that comes, mulch the entire ground
over with prairie hay, or straw. If you have some coarse stable ma-
nure free from timothy, clover, or weed seed, it makes good mulching.
Corn-fodder, cut in four to six inch lengths, is excellent. I use at
least three good two-horse wagon loads of straw per acre. As soon
as freezing and thawing is over in spring go over the field and loosen
up the mulching on the plants. IPf too thick for them to come through
easily, remove some of it into the space between rows.

The varieties to plant depends much upon what you want to do
with them, as well as your soil and location. or all purposes, so far
as I have tested them, the Warfield, Crescent, Wood, and Robinson
come about as near filling the bill as anything. The Haverland and
Bubach are both large and productive, but too soft to ship. The
Woolverton, Lovett, and Saunders are all good berries and good ship-
pers, but not generally as productive as some of the first named. We
have some new varieties on trial that are claimed to beat any of these,
but I have not tested them long enough to say so, but will say that
Bissell and Gardner, as well as Brandywine, all promise to be valuable.

The strawberry’s great want from the time it commences to blossom
until done fruiting is water, water, and where irrigation is practical,
the crop is almost a certainty. It takes from thirty to thirty-five days
from the time the blossom appears until the fruit is ripe. If you
have all the water you want during these thirty-five days, and know
how to use it, you have the result in your own hands.

You may want to know how many quarts I got per acre. The
frost in May, 1894, and May, 1895, destroyed my crops both seasons.
With these exceptions the smallest crop I have had for fourteen years
previous was 2,000 quarts, the largest, 6,000, that I picked, and from
one to two thousand that a heavy rain storm destroyed, which we let
the pickers take, as they were so soft and price so low it did not pay to
pick them after the storm. My soil is part upland prairie and part
second bottom, about sixty miles east of the Missouri river.

BLACK RASPBERRIES.

The same soil and preparation for these as strawberries. I use a
single shovel plow for making a furrow for planting these, running it

SMALL FRUITS AND THE AVERAGE FARMER. 25

about as deep as I can, making rows seven feet apart, planting the
plants not over three feet apart, placing plant in bottom of furrow
and covering it two and one-half to three inches deep above the crown.
Make the soil firm on the plant; then, as your plants grow, gradually
fill up your furrow. Give thorough cultivation with cultivator and
hoe all summer. When canes get twelve to fifteen inches high pinch
off the top; after that let them grow at will. The next spring trim
all laterals back to within ten to twelve inches of main cane. Culti-
vate the same this year, and when the new canes get from twenty-four
to thirty inches high, pinch them off. This will cause them to throw
out a lateral at about every leaf. Let these grow at will. The next
spring cut these laterals back to twelve or fifteen inches. Clean out
the rubbish and start cultivator again and keep it up until fruit com-
mences to ripen. This year you ought to get about a full crop. I
usually grow potatoes or sweet corn between each row of raspberries
the first year, which will pay for the cultivation of entire plat.

VARIETIES.—Palmer is first to ripen. Kansas comes about two
days later. Older commences about five days after Palmer. Nemaha
and Gregg eight to ten days after Palmer. Were I planting for
family use only, [I would plant Kansas and Older, because I would
then have early, medium, and late, as Older will last to the very latest
and is the best quality of any of them, especially for canning. Were
I planting for market, I would plant some of all named above except
Gregg. The Nemaha will fill its place and, in most respects, is pref-
erable. The Older will stand more cold, heat, and drouth than any
of them.

SMALL FRUITS AND THE AVERAGE FARMER.

GEORGE A. SLAYTON.

After many years of observation, and a no less extended experience,

I am thoroughly convinced that the average farmer has fallen far short

of his privilege in appropriating the manifold blessings which may so

easily be placed at his disposal in that small plot of ground, the small

fruit garden. If calling attention to this fact, and if possible empha-

sizing the loss so often unconsciously sustained, shall be of any avail
3

26 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

in encouraging the aforementioned average farmer to seek an improved
condition, the object and excuse of this paper will be attained.

Farmers, like most other men, have one of two incentives to effort,
pleasure, or profit, and, as to the latter incentive, generally the view
is limited to the pecuniary sense. What does not bring in ready cash
is seldom thought of as profitable. To this mistaken view I attribute
much of the neglect of small fruits so noticeable on the farm. The
one who makes a business of raising the various small fruits for mar-
ket purposes, whether on a limited or more extended scale, seldom
fails to find the operation profitable, if he has had intelligent fore-
thought as to varieties and market opportunities. Too often has the
general farmer been induced to believe that similar success might be his
if he would devote a portion of his acres to fruit culture, and so with
all his other multifarious duties and plans of work sufficient to employ
all his time and ability he concludes to try fruit raising, and very gen-
erally he makes either a failure of the fruit or the farming. Though
I would not be dictatorial, yet I firmly believe that as a rule the avy-
erage farmer should not attempt raising small fruits for market pur-
poses, but I would no less strongly urge the importance and real value
of a well selected small fruit garden on every farm. This garden
should not be large. A small plot, well prepared, well cared for, filled
in with a few choice varieties of every kind of small fruit generally
cultivated in the locality, will bring more of health and happiness,
consequently profit, than ten times the amount of ground devoted to
any of the general farm uses. I said this little plot should be well
eared for; if it is not so cared for, then realize in your own disap-
pointment and vexation of spirit what occurs everywhere throughout
our land among the average farmers who have neglected this choice
bit of earth as the broad fields of corn or wheat have engrossed their
attention.

The trouble with this family garden generally is, that the farmer
does not give it a place in his plans of work. This is the fatal mis-
take, as it will not bear neglect, and there the work must be timely,
never delayed to “a more convenient season ;” neither is it wise or
safe to delegate the care of the small fruit garden to the already over-
burdened wife and children, as is too often done with the vegetable
garden, Many a resident of the city or village with only a spare lot
has proven the profitableness of the small fruit garden and been the

SMALL FRUITS AND THE AVERAGE FARMER. iT

envy of his country cousin, the average farmer who had a better op-
portunity in every way to be the possessor of that well tilled, health
giving, hope inspiring, happiness producing plot of ground. If the
farmer owns the land he tills, or has a lease of several years, he will
find no part of his work pays a better dividend on the investment than
that little thicket of plum and cherry trees, and those few rods set in
strawberries, and the few rows of raspberries, gooseberries, blackber-
ries, dewberries, and grapes arranged along beside the vegetable gar-
den, ‘and enclosed by the everywhere now so common picket fence, so,
at certain times of year at least, he may exclude the pigs and farm
poultry from its sacred precincts.

It is not necessary here to specify varieties to plant. They will
vary somewhat with the locality, and any one may obtain the fullest
and best information on these points in the published annual reports
of the State Horticultural Society. Suffice to say, it will be much
wiser to accept the varieties recommended in these reports than to seek
information from the all knowing tramp tree peddler, who always has
some very highly recommended novelties of recent origin or introduc-
tion which so far surpass all old-fashioned sorts. Of course the price
is very high, but. the stock is scarce and very few will be fortunate
enough to secure it, so you will surely not miss this opportunity. The
average farmer will find much more satisfaction in his small fruit
garden if he has no dealings with these troublesome, tiresome agents,
but after carefully examining the State Horticultural Reports and con-
sulting with some successful grower of small fruits of his acquaint-
ance, secures the stock he needs of the nearest reliable propagator of:
the sorts he would use. °

As to the care of the small fruit garden, much of value may be
gleaned from our state society reports, and I will only add that in my
judgment the best care will permit no vegetation growing in the gar-
den except that from which we expect to gather the desired fruit, and
perhaps no better way has been devised for accomplishing this result.
in this section than heavy mulching. If the season is a wet one and
results in too excessive a growth of plant, more care will be needed
in pruning and pinching back.

But after all my brother farmer says: “Well, yes, the small fruit
is all very well. I think it very nice, indeed. Have no doubt that
it isa good thing for the health and happiness of the family, but,

28 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

really, I do not see how I can be bothered with the raising it. I
would rather buy what the family needs.” But, my dear brother, that
is the very thing you will not do. Not one man in a hundred who
does not raise his own small fruits supplies his family with them in
the abundance which is so conducive to health and general content-
ment. The farmer’s family which has an abundance of fruit, fresh
from its own garden, is the family which appreciates most fully the
blessed privilege of living in a country home where nature, in loving
recognition of a full appreciation of her bounteous gifts, smiles her
happy benedictions upon a contented and prosperous people.

THE RASPBERRY.

W. J. HESSER.

I have been asked to prepare a paper on ‘‘ Culture of Raspberries.”
In doing so, I shall be compelled to repeat a portion of a former
paper, as my experiences since then have fully convinced me that my
views then expressed were correct and practical.

Prior to 1880 I had set a few hundred plants of different variety
in open ground which were nearly a failure. About the spring of
1880 I concluded to try them in my apple orchard, which was set the
spring of 1873. The trees were planted 20x20. I set one row in
apple tree rows, about four or five plants between trees, and one row
between apple+tree rows, making the rows ten feet apart. Plants four
to six feet apart in rows; as I only had a limited number of plants,
I wished to make them go as far as possible. I soon found this to be
a very great mistake. I had not at this time learned how to pinch
back the canes; they grew up tall, and, being far apart, were mainly
broken off at the ground by the winds. I soon set one plant between
each plant, making them two to three feet apart. As the young canes
started up in the spring I went through and pinched the top off each
cane at a height of one and one-half to two feet. I usually go through
them three times each season, while they are making their growth, so
as to get all the canes as they get about the right height. This I re-
gard as very important. By so doing it causes the canes to produce

THE RASPBERRY. 29

many branches and bear fruit, and making it a solid matted row.
The winds could not break them down, and they produced an abun-
dant crop of berries. ‘They should be well cultivated. I plow three
or four times, hoe twice; indeed, keep them perfectly clean from early
spring to last of August.

In spring, just as growth starts, I go through canes with a pair of
pruning shears and cut all the dead ends off the branches on canes.
Cut to a good strong bud, you will always have the dead tips; if not
cut off, they are very annoying in picking berries and detract from
live wood more or less. This mode of culture and pinching, etc., I
regard as very essential. The person that tries to grow raspberries by
just planting once, possibly plowing once or twice a season, will very
soon say, “It don’t pay to grow raspberries in Nebraska,” and give it
up in disgust, but if you will give clean culture and carefully pinch
back and prune, you are sure to say it pays, and pays big, to grow
raspberries in Nebraska.

I have never planted or grown anything that has made me as much
money, for amount of labor, as my raspberries. July 13, 1883, I had
six acres of raspberries just getting large enough to bear nicely. That
memorable day to many a Cass county farmer and fruit-grower my six
acres was entirely wiped out by the hail, or all of them which was
above ground. ‘The roots remained alive that summer, but made no
growth that season; the next spring made a fair growth, and the next
year bore a good crop. I continued planting until I had five acres of
Tyler, two and one-half acres of Gregg, and one-half acre of Turner
and Cuthbert. The Tyler I regard as the most profitable. It is early,
hardy, and productive; berry of good quality. The Gregg is ten to
twelve days later, larger berry, and good quality, but the canes are too
tender for our climate. I still cultivate them, but can’t get as good
return from them as the Tyler. The Cuthbert I recommend as a good
berry in quality, but not very sure bearers. From 1886 to 1890 my
raspberries (eight acres) netted me over one thousand dollars each year.
Since then the dry weather and the shade of the large trees has
greatly reduced profit of them.

I am planting a small orchard, the trees are set twenty-five feet
apart, and setting to raspberries at once. Set one in each apple tree
row, and two rows between apple tree rows. I believe they will
be profitable ten to fifteen years.

30 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Another very important point in pruning is to cut out all the old
wood as soon as the Jast berries are picked. I usually set a lot of men
in, after the last pickers, to cut out and carry out all bearing canes.
They have filled their usefulness, and only detract from young growth
and should be removed at once.

Were I to plant in open ground I would make the rows seven feet
apart, plants two to two and one-half feet apart in rows; but assuredly
I very much prefer the shade the apple trees make for them, besides I
get two crops from same ground and always get more apples from that
eight acres than any other eight acres of my orchard of thirty acres.

In picking, I use a light stand which holds six boxes, with handle
made of old barrel hoops, after the style of the basket handle. The
stands have Jegs about twenty inches long, made of old barrel staves
or strips of thin boards, put on so as to be wider at the bottom than
the box, so as to not be upset or knocked over. In these we carry
berries to the place of packing in crates, where they are always kept
well shaded and covered with heavy paper until shipped. If berries
are allowed to stand for only a short time exposed to sun, they are
very much injured, if not spoilt entirely. Always keep them in a
cool, dry, and well shaded place.

There is another very important matter to look after,—that is,
marketing the berries after they are grown. For a few years after I
had berries to sell I found ready sale and satisfactory prices by ship-
ping to commission houses, but each year my portion grew rapidly
less until I had the fun of growing them and some other fellow get-
ting the money. I began to look about for other customers. I soon
found a few good reliable retail dealers in different towns along the
railroads and made arrangements to ship about so many cases a day.
I found this to be a mutual benefit to myself and the dealers. I got
fair prices, the dealer getting better and fresher berries than they pos-
sibly could get from the commission houses for the same money. Of
late years I have had ready sales in the field for nearly all I can grow
for the farmers and villages around me. Had I to depend on selling
to the commission houses, I fear I should be tempted to give up in
despair. Those that only grow a limited amount and are near some
small town or a village will usually find ready sale at fairly good
prices. Many of the farmers will buy from one to three cases each
season,

THE RASPBERRY. 31

In conclusion, I would say, plant good hardy varieties not farther
than two and one-half feet in rows. Cultivate carefully, and pinch
back the young canes as soon as they are high enough. Don’t wait
until they are all up, but go through them at least three times, usually
five to eight days after last pinching, until all are pinched back.
Keep thoroughly clean by plowing and hoeing from early spring until
last of August, and always cut out the old or bearing canes as soon as
the last berries have been picked, and you will find raspberry culture
both pleasant and profitable.

DISCUSSION.

W.R. Harris—lI have found the raspberry the only fruit that has
never gone back on me. Since I have been growing fruit the rasp-
berry has always given me a crop that paid for the time and labor
spent on it. I would like to ask Mr. Hesser whether he has ever
been troubled with scab on any of his plants?

Mr. Hesser—On the foliage?

Mr. Harris—On the plants themselves.

Mr. Hesser—I have never noticed anything of that kind. Some
seasons I have a little rust on the foliage.

Mr. Harris—With me the Tyler, especially, has a kind of scab
on the wood that has killed it out.

Mr. Hesser—My wood is not quite so strong as it used to be, but
I attribute that to the fact that my orchard trees are getting so large
that they cover the ground; they have been planted twenty-three
years.

Mr. Harris—Perhaps the fact that you cut out the old wood just
as soon as the fruit crop is off would make some difference. I have
never done that.

Mr. Hess—er—That makes a very great difference. Those old
bearing canes will keep alive nearly all summer, and though they are
all dead and gone before spring, yet they will take a certain amount
of moisture from the ground that should go to the young plants, be-
sides shading them and obstructing the ground. The day the pickers
go through the last time I send a gang of men right after them to cut
out the old wood and carry it out with forks.

Mr. JENKrINS—I would like to have it appear in the record what
the expression “ pinching back” means.

32 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Hess—Er—In the spring after the young canes get up to about
the proper height we just go through and pinch the tops out.

Mr. JENKINS—W hat is the proper height ?

Mr. HrEssEr—I would say from one and one-half to two feet.

Mr. JENKINS—I have been using a long bladed knife—say an ex-
tra long butcher knife—and cutting them off.

Mr. HresseEr—You may do that if you like, but I can pinch two
while you are cutting one.

ProFEssoR CARD— What is your hardiest berry? Do you protect
them in winter ?

Mr. Hesser—They have no protection but the trees. The Tyler
has done better than anything else I have planted.

A MemBer—How does the Tyler compare in size with the Gregg?

Mr. HeEssEr—It is a little smaller than the Gregg.

A MemBer—Will it grow as many quarts to the acre as the Gregg?

Mr. HessER—I can grow just as many quarts to the acre.

Mr. Wuitrorp—Have you had any difficulty with winter killing?
I understood you to say you do not cover your plants.

Mr. HessEr—No, sir; I do not cover them and the canes go
through in good shape. Of course, when you pinch them back they
go right ahead and throw out shoots; many of these will run to the
ground, and by the next spring more or less of those tips will be killed.
Then, after they get started, we go through with the pruning shears
and cut them down to the live wood.

PRoFrEssoR CaARD—I want to emphasize one point in regard to
pinching back; that is, the importance of going through two or three
times and pinching back the canes as they reach the proper height.
It isa bad plan to allow the cane to grow up to double the height
you want it and then go through and cut it back down; you weaken
the cane immensely if you do that. Then another point, Mr. Hesser,
do you pinch back both reds and blacks in the same way ?

Mr. Hess—eR—No, sir; I do not have the same success with the reds.

Mr. Stirson—The difficulty with my raspberries is that for the
last five years there has not been a season when it was wet enough so
they made any growth whatever to pinch back. The consequence is
that each year has seen my plantation so much reduced, and the last
five years it has been wiped out of existence. I have had a plantation

ranging from ten to fifteen acres in the past, but now I haven’t a bush
left.

THE RASPBERRY. oo

PrRoFEssoR CARD—How old is your plantation ?

Mr. Stitson—My oldest plantation would have been fifteen years
old this spring. I had seven acres of that planting; then two years
later I-planted more, and two years later still more, and so on till I
got up to fifteen acres. Since that time it has been steadily going
back on me. The past five years has been such that I just got a
spindling growth, and this last year I didn’t get a growth of over
eighteen inches.

ProrEssor Carp—That is owing to the age of your plantation.
In New York state it doesn’t pay to take over three or four crops
form one planting.

Mr. Stevens—Mr. Hesser, will you explain how often your planta-
ation is renewed ?

Mr. Hesser—That would be a little hard to do. A portion of it
was planted in 1883, then right after that, in 1884 and 1885, I planted
some more. They have borne reasonably well until the last year or
two. Since that time, on account of the extreme dry weather, they
have not made a good growth of canes and have not borne so many
berries. I think it is all right to let them stand ten or twelve years, if
they are properly cultivated, the old wood cut out, and the tops pinched
back. I can’t help thinking that pinching isa big thing; also cutting
out the old wood as soon as the crop is off.

Mr. STEVENSON—I want to ask Mr. Hesser one question that I
have not been fully decided on myself; that is, whether or not to allow
all the young sprouts to grow.

Mr. HesseER—When we cut out the old wood I tell my men, if
there are too many young sprouts, to cut out some of the weaker ones.
I leave five, six, or seven, owing to how healthy they are.

Mr. Witcox—lI would like to ask the gentleman if there is any
difference in the fruiting as between rows standing in the apple rows
and those standing in the middles, taking the same age and conditions
of the canes.

Mr. Hesser—There was not for some time. After the trees got
larger, of course, the plants in the tree rows began to get smaller each
year. My trees were ten years old when I planted my raspberries,
yet when they had been there five years you could scarcely tell any
difference, and I am not sure but those in the tree rows bore the best.
Lately they have not done so well.

34 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

NEGLECTED NATIVE FRUITS. °

PETER YOUNGERS, JR.

Nebraska is blessed with a wonderful amount and remarkable vari-
ety of native fruits. By far the greater number of our counties are
practically treeless, yet every stream, no matter how small, and even
the breaks that head the formation of the streams, abound with native
fruits.

Among the best, and at the same time most neglected, is the black-
cap raspberry. This berry covers the entire state, and there is
no fruit that will yield better returns to the intelligent horticulturist
than the black raspberry. In the spring of 1876 we dug 700 plants
from the banks of Turkey creek and transplanted them in rows. We
gave them very high cultivation, and we have never planted any other
small fruit that gave us as good returns for the amount inyested. I
believe there were at least thirty varieties in the lot that would prove
remunerative to the propagator, and but a very small percentage of
the fruit was unsatisfactory. Again, in 1878, we dug 1,600 more
plants from the same source, and the same results were obtained—good,
large berries, hardy bushes, and abundant bearers. If these results
can be obtained by simply transplanting wild bushes from their native
state to the garden, may it not be possible that we have in them the
foundation for a black-cap raspberry that will surpass anything we are
now propagating for Nebraska? It seems to me that by a judicious
selection of some of the very best of these wild plants a berry might
be produced which would meet with all the requirements of our cli-
mate, and while the fruit might not be quite so good in quality as
some of the tame sorts, yet this would be more than counterbalanced
by the hardiness and productiveness of the plants.

The wild black currant is another of Nebraska’s neglected fruits.
They abound in the western part of the state in many distinct varie-
ties, and if properly selected they will prove an acquisition to the list
of fruits we now cultivate. In fact, they have already been quite
largely sold by nurserymen, the Crandall currant being of the wild

NEGLECTED NATIVE FRUITS. 35

black currant type, and the true Crandall is well worthy of cultiva-
tion. We have fruited some that were dug in Kansas and trans-
planted from the wild state into nursery rows. A portion of them
produced a good crop of fine fruit, and others were practically worth-
less, showing that this fruit requires more careful selection than the
raspberry in order to be made profitable.

The plum abounds in a wild state nearly all over Nebraska and is
doubtless better known and receives more attention than any other
wild fruit. We can all remember how when other fruit has failed the
wild plum has come nobly to the rescue. By selecting sprouts from
the best varieties and planting in clumps near the hennery, the wild
plum will pay well for all the care and cultivation bestowed upon it,
and will make good shelter for the chickens,

We also have a very valuable acquisition in the way of wild cher-
ries, of which we have two varieties that will in time be in almost
every price-list issued by Nebraska nurserymen. The dwarf sand
cherry, or Rocky Mountain Dwarf, is worthy of a place in every
family garden. It is found throughout the western portion of the
state, and while nearly all we have found were good, still, like all
other fruits, some varieties are much larger and sweeter than others.
We notice that some nurserymen offer the Improved Dwarf Rocky
Mountain cherry for sale, and I believe that when we have established
a standard of excellence for this fruit it will be propalgated much as
we now propagate the standard cherry, and our neglected sand cherry
will become a fixture in the horticultural world. The other cherry is
often called and mistaken for the choke cherry, while, in fact, it is a
dwarf wild black cherry, having much the same flavor and somewhat
larger fruit. It is very useful for preserves, jellies, pies, ete. It is
found growing in much the same portion of the state in which the
dwarf sand cherry is found, and we deem it well worthy of cultiva-
tion. We observed that the wild cherries will stand a much greater
degree of frost than many of our forest trees. Last spring, when the
frost of May 20 killed the ash, maple, and catalpa to the ground on
low land, the Dwarf Rocky Mountain cherries on the same plot were
uninjured. There is also a standard sand cherry tree, a native of Da-
kota, which attains a height of from four to six feet, but the fruit is
not as large as our Nebraska dwarf cherry.

We also have a very nice ornamental shrub which produces fruit

36 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

in abundance which is good for jellies, and when fully ripened makes
a good substitute for currants; that is, the buffalo berry, which is
found growing throughout almost the entire length of the state along
the Platte river. We have both the red and yellow berry. This shrub
is worthy of cultivation for its beautiful silvery foliage and also for
its good fruit.

In the eastern portion of our state we might add the persimmon,
pawpaw, and elderberry, which are all worthy of careful attention ;
and while this list is not complete we will find it a valuable one to
work on, and much good can be accomplished by the careful selection
and propagation of our neglected native fruits.

HOW WE GROW SMALL FRUIT IN WASHINGTON
COUNTY.

GEORGE A. MARSHALL.

As I read the subject assigned me, my mind wandered over the con-
dition of the garden and small fruit plantation on the average farm.
While I could see a marked improvement in the last fifteen years, yet
I could see a great deficiency, and chances for much greater improve-
ments. No farm table is complete without a supply of small fruit the
year around, and unless it is grown on the farm it will never be sup-
plied. I know this from experience; as the first few years in Ne-
braska, we listened to our neighbors who told us fruit would do no
good here and that we could buy it cheaper than we could raise it.
At first we started off on the idea that we could buy just when we
wanted to and just what we wanted to, and that would beat growing
it all to smash. However, we soon found ourselves hungry for fruit
and the table destitute of same. Few farmers who depend on buying
are generous enough, are thoughtful enough, and have pocket-books
large enough, and goes to market often enough to purchase his fruit
and keep his table supplied first, last, and all the time with fresh, fine
qualitied small fruit, equal in every respect to that which can be
grown at home on the farm.

_ Almost any kind of small fruit can be satisfactorily grown in Wash-
ington county if planted and cared for properly. However, the first

SMALL FRUIT IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. 37

thing we must bear in mind is that a small fruit patch once planted is
by no means a completed plantation, but that the steady and interest-
ing time has just begun and that the good luck expected must be ac-
companied by some common sense and hard labor. This well carried
out, no other patch on the farm of equal size and given equal labor
will give one-half the returns or satisfaction one year with another
that the small fruit patch will.

SELECTION OF LOCATION.

While the small fruit patch should be near the house, yet it must be
borne in mind that we must keep out of the hollows, as we must have
good air drainage in order to prevent late frosts from cutting short our
crops of fruit. High east or northeast slopes preferable. South and
west slopes bad. If land is level, a wind-break should be planted on
the south and west. If east slope, a south wind-break will be suffi-
cient. We have learned by experience that this wind-break is very
important, especially with blackberries and raspberries.

PREPARATION OF GROUND.

In preparing the ground for the planting of any small fruits, it
should be plowed from eight to ten inches deep and subsoiled if possi-
ble, followed by harrow; then with plank drag or roller. This will
leave the ground mellow and easy to mark out in rows.

WHAT TO PLANT.

We can plant the following with satisfactory results: Blackberry,
raspberry, juneberry, gooseberry, currant, strawberry, and grape.
However, as before said, when once planted, we must not sit down
and expect “luck” to bring us success.

Blackberry plants should be fresh and lively, with at least one good
strong cross-root; should not be started too much (with new shoots
not over one-half inch in length); should be planted in rows six to

eight feet apart and two to three feet in the row. ‘This can easily be
‘ done by running out the rows with a plow or lister running twice in
a row. Please remember that a common lister or fourteen-inch plow
run once in a row will not make the furrow deep enough for black-
berry plants. They should be planted at least two or three inches
deeper than they stood in the nursery row, with dirt pressed about

38 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

them. Be careful, however, not to disturb the new shoots or buds,
which will be very easily broken off at time of planting. The weeds
should be lkept down by constant cultivation, being careful not to dis-
turb the small young shoots, as the life and success of the blackberry
patch depends on the preservation and growth of those young canes.

Pruning should begin the second year by pinching off the ends of
the young canes when about two to three feet high. This will cause
them to become stocky and send out strong limbs. They will need
no more pruning until the next spring, when the tips of these limbs
should be shortened and all straggling canes and canes that hang over
in the row should be cut out; also all old canes removed, leaving
nothing but the wood that is expected to bear the crop. Never allow
the berry canes to form a wilderness by filling up the middles. Briers
are easier kept down than weeds; therefore the task of keeping them
in rows is not so hard after all. Very little hoeing is needed. The
one-horse garden cultivator will complete the job.

Tue RaspBerRY.—In selecting the plants it should be remem-
bered that the raspberry plant is weak enough at best, therefore the
freshest and strongest plants obtainable should be planted. Plants
that have been carted around on railroads and laid around depots and
nursery packing houses for a week or so are perfectly worthless, and
will result in failure if planted.

For planting would recommend the running out of rows six feet
apart with some plow that will make a small furrow five or six inches
deep ; then set the plants at one side, in the furrow, with crown one
or two inches under the surface. Be sure to get the roots well spread,
with dirt well mixed through and firm about them. In doing this be
careful not to press on the crown or break the new white shoots
started. They should be cultivated about the same as blackberry, only
they will need a little bit more hoeing in the row.

Pruning.—The following spring the canes should be shortened to
about twelve or eighteen inches. If the growth has been strong we
may reasonably expect a light crop of very nice fruit from these little
canes. The second summer, and thereafter when the canes are from
one and one-half to two feet high, they should be pinched off same as
blackberry. By September Ist they will have numerous long side
branches, some of which will reach the ground. New plants can
easily be grown by simply covering these tips with earth. This is

SMALL FRUIT IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. 39

also claimed to help the old plants to winter, as the new plants will
have strong roots in a few weeks and thus the cane is strengthened and
fed from both ends. As soon as the fruit has been picked, the old
canes can be removed, and should be if bothered by insects; other-
wise they can remain until spring, when it should be cut and all new
canes shortened to two to three feet, according to strength of cane.

Our mode of cultivating the old blackberry and raspberry patches
is to plow them shallow with an eight or ten inch stirring plow once
a year, always throwing the dirt to the row. The balance of the sea-
son’s cultivation will be with a hoe, Planter Jr. one-horse cultivator,
or something similar. ‘They should have a good dressing of manure
once in four or five years. A raspberry or blackberry patch thus
treated will remain profitable for from eight to twelve years.

The most satisfactory varieties with us are Snyder blackberry, and
Gregg, Nemaha, Older, Palmer, and the Old Mammoth Cluster rasp-
berries. The Turner is the best red raspberry yet tried. The Mam-
moth Cluster may not be so promising in the start, but holds out
wonderfully under good care, being in good condition and bearing
profitable crops for twelve years.

The juneberry, gooseberry, and currant should be planted from four
to five feet apart each way and kept clean by thorough cultivation.
They bear well.

Currants do not seem to enjoy our bright hot sun and dry south
winds, therefore will be more satisfactory if planted where the south
winds do not disturb them, in rows with young orchard trees. The
thin shade the young fruit trees will furnish through the heat of the
day is just what currants need to make the fruit stick on the full
length of the stem, thus giving the best results.

Our most satisfactory method of growing strawberries is to plant in
rows from three to three and one-half feet apart and fifteen to eighteen
inches in the row, and cultivate and hoe thoroughly. ‘Trail the run-
ners up and down the row until it is filled with plants to a width of
from six to eight inches; say two to three plants wide. Keep middles
clean all summer by cultivation, and when ground is freezing in late
fall cover two inches deep with old hay or straw that has no weed seed
in it. Jn the spring this covering should be raked off the plants and
left between the rows until the fruit is picked, when it should be re-
moved from the patch and the plants cultivated as before.

40 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

GRAPES.—The old saying that grapes should be planted on a south
slope with rows running north and south has proven a dead failure
with us. High level Jand on east slope has given best satisfaction.
In planting on level land where there is no danger of wash, plant in
rows running east and west; thus the canes will never slide together
by a north and south wind. Have the rows six feet apart, except the
drive-way rows, which should be ten feet apart. Plant eight to ten
feet apart in the row. Plant in furrow made by running twice in a
place with a common stirring plow. Be sure that this furrow is ten
or twelve inches deep. In setting the plant dig three or four inches
deeper with a spade and leave only two or three buds of plant above
surface. We lose a great many plants by root killing unless planted
deep. Keep weeds out by thorough cultivation. In October, when
leaves have fallen, trim them to one or two canes and cover with dirt,
then a light covering of old hay or straw. ‘Trail them up to a stake
the second year, and if they make an ordinary growth, the canes can
be left three feet long the second fall and be ready for the trellis the
third year.

I deem it advisable to cover all vines the first two or three years,
and if location and varieties are such that they will always need coy-
ering, the cane must not be trained to stand perpendicular from the
root, but must be trained to Jay almost on the ground with top trained
up and trained on the wire. This way the vine can easily be pressed
to the ground without breaking it. Always bear in mind, in trim-
ming, that it is easier to trim too little than too much, and that the
fruit grows on the new wood, Cut out all the weak struggling canes,
shape the vine up so that when tied on the wire the fruit wood will be
evenly distributed over the trellis. Never leave the fruit wood over
four or five buds in length.

The above conclusions and directions are based on actual experience,
accompanied by failure and success, and if followed by any planter in
east central Nebraska, will give satisfaction. There is no visible rea-
son why any farmer should not have his table blessed with an abun-
dance of small fruits.

A patch of ground along side of the garden, and the same size,
planted to small fruits will take less labor and produce more for the
table and give more satisfactory returns than the best garden I ever
saw in Washington county.

SMALL FRUIT IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. 41

A farm of twenty acres planted to small fruits and well attended
will yield more solid cash than can possibly be dug out of a quarter
section by common farming. If planting in large quantities for
market, it is best in the long run to plant blackberry, raspberry, and
currants in young orchards, as the cultivation given the berries is just
what the young trees need, and the small amount of shade produced
by the young trees will only add to the yield of berries,

DISCUSSION.

QuESTION 1—I would like to ask the gentlemen at what time of
the year and how often he pinches his raspberry and blackberry bushes
back?

ANSWER—We pinch them just as quick as the plant is high enough ;
and go over them four or five times a season, keeping them pinched
back.

QuEsTION 2—How many canes would you generally leave standing?

ANSWER—Three or four canes is, I think, a great plenty ; however,
it might vary in different varieties.

QUESTION 3—What success do you have with the currant?

ANSWER—The bushes grow all right with us, but they have been
rather irregular and uncertain in bearing. We have an extra good
crop this season.

QuEsTION 4—What is the best variety of currant?

ANswER—We like the White Grape. The White Dutch is the best
bearer, but is rather small, as is also the Red Dutch, although a good
currant. The cherry currant is too small. We like a large currant
and a large bush as well.

QuEstIon 5—When you pinch back the raspberries do you pinch
back the branches?

ANSWER—No, just let them grow. — If they will make good strong
limbs, let them grow.

42 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

BEES THE FRIEND OF THE HORTICULTURIST.

E. WHITCOMB.

While the honey-bee is the only one of the thousands of insects
which man is able to put to his own exclusive use, yet by a great mis-
understanding of this interesting insect we have laid at her door many
accusations which a better study of her make-up and habits have en-
tirely acquitted her of the charges. It has long since been established
that the jaws of the honey-bee are far too feeble to enable it to punct-
ure the skin of the most delicate fruit. Even some of the warm
friends of the honey-bee have been heard lamenting its propensity to
banquet on his beautiful peaches, pears, plums, and choicest grapes.
Were the honey-bee able to puncture even the pistil of the most deli-
cate flower, we, as bee-keepers, would be able to supply the market
with rich red clover honey in abundance, and at a much cheaper price.
Had the honey-bee been so constructed as to be able to puncture the
skin of the most delicate fruit, juices would have taken the place of
the bright clear nectar; we would be eating a condensed fruit jam in-
stead of honey, and there certainly would have been cause for just
complaint on the part of the horticulturist, as well as from the bee-
keeper.

Bees do gather the sweet juices of fruits when nothing else is at.
hand to gather, yet their jaws, having been constructed mainly for
wax making, are constructed more like two spoons working towards
each other. Imagine, if you will, the experiment of attempting to
pinch a hole through a rubber ball with the thumb and finger and
without the use of the nails, and you have at once the uselessness of
the honey-bee attempting to puncture the skin of the most delicate
grape. It has also been charged that the visits of the honey-bee to
different flowers are a great injury to them. This is the grandest of
all delusions. Horticulturists all agree that in order to produce per-
fect fruit, if at all, there must necessarily be a pollenization from one
flower to another. In the past we have regarded the wind as the great
agent through which this is accomplished. Here on the great prairies,

BEES THE FRIEND OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 43

where the gentle breezes are often wafted into gales, the rich pollen of
our fruit trees is often wafted into Kansas, or vice versa into the Da-
kotas, while we seek for a cause as to why our fruit has not been plen-
tier or better formed. Nothing is so admirably adapted to the fertili-
zation of flowers as the bee as she flits from flower to flower in quest
of either nectar or pollen. The particular construction of her feet
and legs renders her especially valuable for this work. And _ here
in Nebraska, where the absence of wild bees in any considerable
numbers is so marked, I am fully persuaded that apiculture and
horticulture should be consolidated together, so far as the needs of the
latter would require the good offices of the former. We might with
as much propriety wait for our neighbor to pull the weeds out of our
strawberries as to wait for his bees to pollenize the blossoms for us.
The first instance of the value of the honey-bee as a fertilizer of fruit
brought to my notice was four years ago. The weather being wet
and cold, the honey-bee was able to fly but little, and as a direct
result what at first promised to be an abundant crop dwindled into
insignificance with a small amount of imperfectly formed fruit. In
my own orchard on this occasion suflicient fruit formed to have made
a good crop, but on account of its imperfect fertilization dropped off
soon afterwards. On this occasion, and while my cherries were in full
bloom, the weather was such as to allow my entire apiary to work on
them for two days. Asa result I harvested 150 bushels of fine cher-
ries, which brought in the orchard ten cents per quart, while my neigh-
bors, whose trees were equally as well cared for as mine and were:
equally as well loaded with blossoms, got none. Do you think I erred
in attributing this crop to the little honey-bee? An eminent horticult=
urist of our state, when approached upon this subject, attributed the
failure to continued rains which washed the pollen from the flower
and prevented its proper fertilization. This being the case, to what
cause are we to attribute those orchards which, being visited by the
bee, bore an abundant crop; for in Saline county, when rain falls at
all it falls alike upon the just as well as the unjust, and of which I am
persuaded the latter are in a very large majority, and lay no claim to
being bee-keepers.

In introducing the red clover into Australia it was found that this
plant did nicely in that fertile island of the sea, but the clover pro-
duced no seed. Finally, the great companion of the red clover blossom,

44 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the bumble-bee, was likewise imported there, and there was no more
trouble in producing the seed of this clover in that clime. Do you not
think that the breezes of Australia would be quite as efficient in waft-
ing the pollen from one flower to another as here in Nebraska, or that
the bee does not perform as efficient service in one locality as another?

A controversy has lately been going on between a gentleman of
Towa and one from Missouri, as to the value of the honey-bee in fer-
tilizing the strawberry. Having scrutinized the evidence in this
case carefully, most is in favor of its fertilization by the bee, and
many have been frank to admit that without the good offices of the
bee there would have been no berries. Many of us have sought out
the causes for failures, and after finding them have applied the reme-
dies. We are not aware but that a cake of nice honey would look as
nice and be as palatable on the table of the horticulturist as on the
board of his neighbor, the bee-keeper. We know of no reason why
these industries so necessary to each other should not go hand in hand,
or why the horticulturist should depend upon his neighbor for bees to
fertilize his fruit or for honey to supply his table.

DISCUSSION.

QuEstTIoN 1—Do I understand you to take the position that the bee
is the principal agent in the fertilization of the strawberry?

ANSWER—I do think if it were not for the bees we would not get very
many perfect strawberries. When you see an ill-formed strawberry
‘you may set it down that the honey-bee has not visited that berry, or
blossom. I would like to say that the honey-bee has never bothered
us by destroying fruit, not but that it has pretty strong jaws, but I
believe these are used for the purpose of destroying the moth. I do
not think they are able to puncture the skin of the choicest grape, and
do not think they would do it if grapes were placed in the hive. In
same cases the saw-toothed wasp is the fellow that punctures the grape
and the bee gets the credit for it. The bee will run its tongue into the
grape after it has been broken, perhaps three-eighths of an inch, to get
the sweet juice. Speaking of fertilization, I have been examining this
very closely for the last four years. My observation tells me that the
strawberry is visited by the honey-bee, but it is not the honey-bee that
does the fertilizing for me. There is a little sweat-bee, not nearly as
Jarge as the honey-bee. I do not know whether the regular honey-

SUNSHINE AND CLOUDINESS IN NEBRASKA. 45

bee is after honey, he is probably after the pollen. But I have observed
it very closely and have made up my mind that this little sweat-bee is
the fellow that does the work of fertilization.
Question 2—Do you not think if the berries were properly fertilized
they would be perfect if they were not visited by the bees?
AnsweER--I would rather have the bees around, I think it better.
I think the failure in our apples is sometimes caused by its being too
cold for the bees to fly.

SUNSHINE AND CLOUDINESS IN NEBRASKA.

G. D. SWEZEY.

The amount and the intensity of sunshine in any locality is an ele-
ment of the weather which possesses large practical importance from
the agricultural and horticultural point of view, since not only the
growth, but especially the maturing of the crops, as well as the har-
vesting of them, is largely dependent upon it. Nebraska, as will ap-
pear from the following statements, is favored in this respect. While
the greater part of our rainfall occurs in the growing season, and es-
pecially in the earlier part of the season when crops are developing
most rapidly as regards gross weight, the latter part of the growing
season on the other hand is characterized by a steady decrease in the
amount of cloudiness, a large percentage of sunshine, and a high de-
gree in the intensity of sunshine as well as in its actual duration.

This large percentage and high intensity of sunshine follows as a
natural corollary to the fact of the inland position and clear, dry at-
mosphere of Nebraska.

The instrument by which the hours of sunshine are determined is
an electrical sunshine recorder, placed on the roof and operating elec-
trically one of the three pens of the triple register.
It consists of an outer tube of glass for protection,
containing another glass tube expanded at the ends
into air chambers, A and B, and partly filled with
a column of mercury, which separates the air in
the two chambers. The lower chamber or bulb is
coated with lampblack, which when the sun is
shining absorbs the sun’s rays and heats the air in

46 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the lower bulb more than that in the upper. This causes the lower
air to expand and push the mercury up until it comes in contact with
the wire C, which is soldered into the tube. The other wire, D, is im-
mersed in the mercury all the while, and as the two form an electric
circuit leading to the recording instrument, the rise of the mercury
to the wire C will close the circuit and register on the cylinder the fact
of sunshine; then when the sun goes under a cloud, the lower bulb
cools to the temperature of the upper, the mercury falls away from
the wire C, and so the circuit is broken and the sunshine record ceases
to be made on the cylinder. ,

The result of observations on sunshine and cloudiness in eastern
Nebraska is shown on the chart. The broken line shows what per-

e aia a

ne Paes, Pires a ee a ea bere

da << aya Oe) for de

aa Bee Ok haha ec Baen ee =
54
o2
50
48

Ms Ga st SE
ie Pc DS 2
ii iE eon

centage of the time the sky is cloudy. It will be seen that the cloudi-
est month is May, when the sky is on the average 55 per cent over-
cast, or, what amounts to practically the same thing, there is sunshine
45 per cent of the day, while in September the cloudiness reaches its
lowest point for the year with an average of 41 per cent.

The greatest amount of actual sunshine, however, in the different
months varies in a somewhat different manner. The longer duration

42

of daylight during the earlier months of summer more than compen-
sates for the lack of clear skies. The longest days of course occur in
June, when the average duration of daylight in this latitude is about
fifteen hours. This brings the season of greatest actual sunshine
earlier than it appears from the chart. In fact, the actual amount of
sunshine is greatest in the month of July, when it averages about 8.3.
hours a day; next in amount of sunshine comes August with an aver-

SUNSHINE AND CLOUDINESS IN NEBRASKA. 47

age of 8.0 hours; June averages 7.5 hours; and September 7.4 hours.
It will thus be seen that the percentage of sunshine is relatively great-
est at that season of the year when crops are ripening and being har-
vested, in other words, when sunshine is most welcome to the agri-
culturist.

As to the intensity of sunshine in Nebraska we know as yet but
little by direct measurement of it. A few months’ observations have
been made at the experiment station at Lincoln with a self-registering
actinometer, but the data are as yet too few to give much information.
By inference, however, we know that the intensity of the sun’s rays
in Nebraska is greater than in most parts of the country. Our abso-
lute humidity, or the actual amount of moisture present in the atmos-
phere, is decidedly less on the average than in the states lying nearer
the seaboard or to the great lakes, and this low degree of humidity is,
to some extent, a measure of the capacity of the atmosphere to trans-
mit the sun’s rays. Further, the number of days in summer with a
high mean temperature is large for this latitude and argues large pen-
etrating power for the sun’s rays.

It will thus be seen that in the years when we have our normal
amount of rainfall the conditions could scarcely be more favorable
than they are in Nebraska; with about two-thirds of our rainfall oc-
curring in the’ five months of the growing season and reaching its
maximum in the earlier part of the season when growth is most rapid,
and with sunshine at a maximum when crops are maturing and being
gathered we have conditions well nigh ideal.

But what shall we say of the years of drought when the intensity
and duration of sunshine proves an adversary instead of a friend? It
is important then that we should clearly understand the forces with
which we have to contend, and should so cultivate our farms and
orchards as to reduce the evil to its lowest terms. At the summer
meeting of the Society I presented facts showing how excessive is our
evaporation and how important therefore that, by means of surface
cultivation and mulching, we should husband our resources in the mat-
ter of soil moisture. The facts presented to-day will show one reason
why evaporation is so large in the summer months and will serve to
emphasize this matter of the importance of learning how to handle the
soil to the best advantage, which is evidently one of the problems which
is to demand our careful attention here in Nebraska.

48 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS.

LAWRENCE BRUNER.

INTRODUCTION.

For upwards of twenty-five years the writer has taken an interest
in our birds and made notes relative to their abundance, migrations,
nesting, food-habits, etc., simply for personal gratification.

About two years ago, during a conversation in which the relation of
birds to horticulture incidentally arose, Professor F. W. Taylor sug-
gested the advisability of devoting a portion of a succeeding annual
report to our Nebraska birds. With this object in view both the pro-
fessor and the writer broached the matter to other members of the So-
ciety. Several at once not only became interested in the matter, but
suggested its early accomplishment. Our late lamented Secretary, D.
U. Reed, was especially in favor of the scheme. Accordingly it was
decided that my usual report as entomologist should be omitted from
the present volume and its place given to one on birds.

It is on these grounds that I now present for publication some
“ Notes on Nebraska Birds,” and it is to be hoped that they will in a
measure, at least, have the desired effect, viz., the protection of our
birds, which means the destruction of insect pests in proprotion as the
protection reaches out. Just so soon as it was decided that this sub-
ject be treated in the present report efforts were at once made to secure
all such additional material and information as would tend towards
making our knowledge as complete as possible. Correspondence with
various persons interested resulted in the bringing together of notes
taken by about forty separate workers located in different parts of the
state.

Of course the vast amount of material thus brought together had
to be assorted and arranged at odd times between working hours in
the University. While the paper is not what it should be, nor even
what it might have been, if coming from a different person, still it is
fairly satisfactory as a basis for future work.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 49

By referring to the catalogue on the succeeding pages it will be seen
that there are 415 distinct species and subspecies listed. Of these,
future more critical examination may eliminate six or seven forms.
Perhaps it will also be found that at least twenty-five are only acci-
dental visitors. To counteract these possible eliminations there will
undoubtedly be several additions made when we shall be better ac-
quainted with our bird fauna.

These notes, besides definitely extending the recorded ranges of
many of our North American birds, will show that at least 227 breed
within the state and that more than 100 remain within our borders
during ordinary winters.

It is but just here to acknowledge all the aid that has been received
from the various persons whose names will be found in succeeding
pages in connection with the notes furnished by each. Without such
aid these notes in their present state of completeness could not have
been written. It should-also be generally known that it is due to
the liberal policy of the Society that so many illustrations of the
birds treated accompany the paper. ‘These illustrations were either
loaned by the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History and the
United States Department of Agriculture, or were redrawn and en-
graved from plates published in Warren’s “ Birds of Pennsylvania”
and from the birds themselves. The drawings were made by Nelly
Zehrung and Edna Hyatt of this city, and the engraving done by
Blomgren Bros. & Co. of Chicago, Ill.

LAWRENCE BRUNER.

50 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

REMARKS ABOUT BIRDS IN GENERAL.

The horticulturist, living as he does among stately trees, graceful
shrubs, trailing vines, and showy flowers, must enjoy life to a greater
extent than do most other people. Still, it appears to me that unless
he is intimately acquainted with his almost constant companions, the
birds, he loses much of the real enjoyment that might otherwise be
his. These little creatures are so closely connected with all that inter-
ests the devotee of horticulture that there should be a mutual acquaint-
ance struck up at once. What is true of the horticulturist in this
connection is also true to a greater or less extent of all persons who
are in any way related to the growth of trees, or even to the cultiva-
tion of the soil. I would even go further and say that everybody
should be interested in the birds, be his occupation what it may. This
being true, it gives me great pleasure at this time to be able to intro-
duce to the readers of this paper our mutual friends, the birds of
Nebraska.

Perhaps birds are better known, in a general way at least, than are
the members of any other natural group among animal forms—in fact
than all the others combined. Yet the ignorance of the general pub-
lic as relates to the habits, modes of life, food, names, ete., of even
our commoner species is simply appalling.

Although birds are comparatively few in species they are moderately
numerous in individuals when compared with some other groups of
animal forms. They are also quite general in their distribution over
the earth’s surface.

In their relations to other animal forms, birds approach most closely
to the reptiles. In fact, some of the earlier geological birds were more
like reptiles than they were like the species of our day. Some of our
species even now have very marked reptilian characteristics. Yet we
seldom, if ever, think of birds in such a relation’ Their beautiful
forms, musical voices, gaudy plumages, smooth tempers, and many
other pleasing features have endeared them to us from childhood.
These, along with their general usefulness, have won for them our
sincere friendship.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 51

In size birds vary greatly, ranging from the minutest humming-bird,
which is scarcely larger than a bumble-bee, to the largest ostrich that
stands higher than the tallest man. Yet in size, color, form and
habits they are perfectly fitted for the respective places which each
fills in the vast sea of life about them.

Unlike most other animals, birds are much less restricted in their
distribution over the earth’s surface. This is undoubtedly due to their
power of locomotion, which enables them “to choose their climates
and their seasons,—thus avoiding, in a great measure, one of the most
destructive checks upon the multiplication of animals.” And, by the
way, the organs which they possess for locomoting the air are very
characteristic of these creatures alone. ‘They are made up of a series
of modified scales, or, perhaps more properly speaking, hairs that
grow out of the front pair of limbs and the tail. Consequently it is
that in birds the law of migration reaches its climax. Directly related
to this trait, and largely regulating its different phases, are such feat-
ures as change in the seasons with their accompanying variations in
heat and cold, food supply, reproduction, moulting of feathers, ete.

When applied to the entire feathered tribe, bird migrations are cer-
tainly more of a study than one would at first suppose. Hardly any
two species seem to possess this trait in the same degree, nor to act in
precisely the same manner during its performance. Some of them make
the change from one region to another so gradually that the movement
is barely noticed. Others remain either in the sunny south, where
they revel among showy flowers and the giant trees of tropical forests
dressed in their festoons of clinging vines and deep green mosses, or in
the northland, where the memories of their wooings, and, more re-
cently, the caring for their hungry little ones, occupied the long sum-
mer days. At last the moment for action has come, and they are up
and away. Some birds travel in flocks, some by families, and others
in pairs, or singly, as the case may be. These journeys are made with
some only during the day-time, while others travel only by night, and
still others move along as necessity demands. In spring they go north-
ward, in fall towards the south. Some migrate principally for breed-
ing, others on account of food supply, all of them seemingly of a ne-
cessity. During their migrations, as well as at other times, the speed
attained in their flights by some birds is simply marvelous, if not al-
most incredible. Some ducks are said to travel at the rate of two

52 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

miles or more per minute. The doves, hawks, and even the snipes,
and many of the song birds are rapid fliers. A few of these are
known to draw on a vast scope of country for their food supply, and
it is not an uncommon occurrence for some of them to reach a point
at least one hundred miles or more from their nests during a single
day’s search,

Although not directly in the line of greatest interest to the cultivator
of the soil, one of the most charming features inebird study is that
connected with their nest building and the rearing of their young. So
varied are the methods employed in nest building, and later in caring
for the offspring among different birds, that the student never has
learned all that is to be known on this topie alone, even though he has
spent a lifetime in observing and remembering what he has: seen.
From no nest at all, as we find the night-hawk providing for its eggs,
to the complicated structure made by the orioles, tailor bird, and allies,
all variations of nest building are to be found. The locations where
these structures are placed by their builders also vary much.

Plumage, as we find it with different birds, also offers much food
for reflection. In the female and young it is usually modest, while
the males of some species at least are very gaudily attired. In some
it is protective, while with others it seems to be the reverse.

The habits and peculiarities of most birds coincide with their sur-
roundings. The waders are long-legged, long-necked, and live about
the margins of streams and bodies of water and in the depths of
swamps. ‘They are usually drowsy-appearing creatures, not especially
noted for their beauty of form nor melody of voice, nevertheless many
of them are gaily attired. The love-song of the Bittern is not of a
kind that would produce within the reader poetical dreams. But to
these birds accustomed to the coarse croak of the bull-frog and roar
of alligators it is sweet music, no doubt. The soul-stirring, hair-lifting
hoots of the Great Horned Owl are songs which in all probability
produce reflective moods in these naturally wise-looking nocturnal
prowlers among the feathered tribe. The predaceous forms delight in
shrill, piercing cries, while the graminivorous ones habitually modulate
their voices.

Aside from taking life very seriously, many birds seem to be imbued
at times with a spirit of fun, The Meadow Lark will sometimes start
out with a plaintive call, and after attracting its mate will go off into

’

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 58

a paroxysm of laughter, as it were. Other birds, notably the domestic
cock, will call up to himself hens and chicks to partake of some sup-
posed dainty morsel, and then slap his leg with his wing and laugh at
the practical joke he has perpetrated.

With these miscellaneous and general remarks about birds as an in-
troduction, and for the uninitiated, it will be more to the point in the
present paper to speak of the practical side of the subject.

Quoting from a paper by Professor 8. A. Forbes, who has done
much in the study of birds and their direct relation to man, we have
the following: “ Excluding the inhabitants of the great seas, birds are
the most abundant of the Vertebrata, occupying in this great sub-
kingdom the same prominent position that insects do among inverte-
brate animals.” This position of the two groups in their respective
divisions of the animal life of the globe cannot be due simply to
chance. ‘There must be some connection between them. Let us see.

In my former reports, to both this Society and to the State Board of
Agriculture, it has been shown time and again that not only are the
distinct kinds of insects almost myriads in number, but also that the
individuals of each species are incalculable. That their powers of re-
production are simply wonderful, being limited only by the amount
of food available, etc. Now, the disproportionate number of birds on
the other hand, with “their universal distribution, the remarkable lo-
comotivespower which enables them readily to escape unfavorable con-
ditions, and their higher rate of life, requiring for their maintenance
an amount of food relatively enormous,” give to them a significance
which few seem ever to have realized. While naturally birds are
quite numerous. both in species and individuals, their greatest enemy,
man, has so depleted their ranks in many localities that they have be-
come scarce.

Perhaps few of us have ever thought much about what birds eat.
Yet those who have studied these creatures assure us that a very large
per cent of their food, possibly fully three-fourths, consists of insects.
Even those species which are classed as graminivorous, during the
summer months from choice partake chiefly of an insect diet.

Careful estimates of three conservative ornithologists have placed
the bird-life of Illinois at three birds per acre during the six summer
months. Now, if we place their number for Nebraska at one and
one-half birds to each acre during a similar period, we would have in

54 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

round numbers about 75,000,000 of birds. If, as has been estimated,
three-fourths of the food of this host of birds should consist of in-
sects, what would this mean? A very conservative estimate as to the
number of insects eaten daily by each bird can be set down at twenty-
five.* This being true, it would take one billion eight hundred and
seventy-five millions of insects for a single day’s rations for our birds
during any one of the 175 days of summer. If these insects were
spread out at the average of ten thousand to the acre, a day’s work of
our birds would mean the complete clearing of 18,750 acres.

Professor Forbes says: ‘‘On this basis, if the operations of the
birds were to be suspended, the rate of increase of these insect hosts
would be accelerated about seventy per cent, and their numbers, in-
stead of remaining year by year at the present average figure, would
be increased over two-thirds each year. Any one familiar with geo-
metrical ratios will understand the inevitable result. In the second
year we should find insects nearly three times as numerous as now,
and in about twelve years if this increase were not otherwise checked,
we should have the entire state carpeted with insects, one to the square
inch over our whole territory.” + What would be true in Illinois
would apply equally well for Nebraska.

More than twenty-five years ago Benjamin Walsh, the first state
entomologist of Illinois, estimated the damage done by insects in that
state at twenty million dollars annually. Again splitting these fig-
ures in the middle and allowing only half as much for our state, or
ten million dollars. Supposing that by some means or other we could
increase the efficiency of our birds only one per cent, the saving that
would result could be plainly set down at $100,000. ‘This increase in
the efficiency of our birds, like all other estimates, is very low. Sup-
posing it should be five per cent instead, then the saving would be an
even half million dollars annually. The sparing of a single bird an-
nually for each inhabitant of the state would more than meet the above
estimates. ,

Even if birds do destroy alike the injurious and the parasitic insects,

* These figures, large as they seem, are much too small. Most birds eat at least
two meals each day, and the stomach contents of all birds examined by those en-
gaged in the study of their food-habits would indicate that seventy-five or a hun-
dred insects per day would be more nearly correct.

+ Bulletin of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History. Vol. I, No. 3,
p: 81.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 55

no dire result will follow. It is not from the depredations of the
masses of insect species that we lose our crops or suffer severe losses
in a single direction; but on the contrary, from the few that at times
become abnormally numerous. This being true, the birds naturally
turn their attention to these latter for the bulk of their food supply.
We may infer from this statement then that even a bird is not fool
enough to ignore a plentiful food supply for that which is difficult to
obtain.

While a very large per cent of our birds retire toward the south as
winter approaches, a few of the species remain with us over winter,
Of course these that remain must be fed, and if left to themselves they
will find that food. Most of them now change to a vegetable diet of
which they find a plentiful store in the numerous weeds and other, to
man, useless seeds that lie strewn about the country everywhere. These
seeds, which are quite rich in oils, give the necessary fuel supply and
energy that warm the small snow-buntings and sustain their powers as
they hurl themselves into the very teeth of the arctic blasts when the
thermometer registers many degrees below zero. Even here the birds
befriend the tiller of the soil by searching out and destroying the seeds
of many a noxious weed that would quickly grow up and occupy the
ground to the disadvantage or destruction of that which is being cul-
tivated.

There are instances where a bird may be harmful during one part
of the year and exceedingly beneficial during the remainder. In such
cases, if we apply business principles, we will carefully estimate both
sides of the account before a summary settlement is made by destroy-
ing the bird. He is a poor business man who pays ten dollars for that
which he knows must later be sold for fifteen cents, or even less. Yet
I have known of instances where a robin that had saved ten to fifteen
bushels of apples that were worth a dollar per bushel, by clearing the
tree from canker worms in spring, was shot when he simply pecked
one of the apples that he had saved for the grateful or ungrateful fruit-
grower. Some persons would gladly sell cherries to their neighbors at
the rate of ten cents per quart, but would refuse to let a bird have
them at ten cents apiece after they had been paid for in advance.
The ordinary Red-headed Woodpecker, which is almost universally
credited with being an insect destroyer, has been found by actual ex-
amination to take morecorn and other vegetable food than is taken by
any of the thrushes—birds which most of us brand as rascals.

56 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Some birds, but these are comparatively few, are harmful through-
out the year; 7. e., their food-habit is such as to count against them
when the ledger is balanced. Two of our hawks, the Blue Jay and
English Sparrow will fall in this category, but aside from these it
would not be safe to begin killing birds indiscriminately, for in so do-
ing we might be injuring ourselves financially. .

It is true that reports have reached us at the University of Ne-
braska to the effect that certain birds like the blackbirds, Robin, Brown
Thrush, English Sparrow, and orioles had done great injury by pecking
apples full of holes as they hung on the trees. It has also reached us
that these same birds had occasionally been observed to destroy certain
injurious insects,

On the following pages is given as nearly a complete list of the dif-
ferent species and varieties of Nebraska birds as could at this time be
compiled from the data available. While it has been impossible to
give an account of the food-habits of each one separately, or even of
each group fully, I trust that in most cases sufficient has been said to
warrant the reader in looking into the subject more closely for himself
before he ruthlessly kills birds about which he knows nothing or but
little. In certain special cases where birds have been known to attack
fruit and other crops the food-habits, along with other notes, will be
found in connection with the bird’s name at its proper place in the list.

In closing this preliminary chapter to a list of our Nebraska birds,
it might be well to suggest that the subject is of sufficient importance
to call for its being taught in our public schools to a limited extent at
least. We should have a “Bird” day just as we have an “Arbor”
day, and a “Flag” day, when suitable exercises should be held com-
memorative of the occasion.

It might also be well to add that we have laws in this state against
the indiscriminate slaughter of birds which it might be worth know-
ing about. These will be found incorporated in the appendix to the list
which follows.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 5

A LIST OF NEBRASKA BIRDS, TOGETHER WITH NOTES
ON THEIR ABUNDANCE, MIGRATIONS, BREEDING,
FOOD-HABITS, ETC.

Nebraska appears to be well fitted as a home for many distinct forms
of birds, just as it is for the other kinds of animal life. From our
studies of these creatures for the past twenty-five years and those of
about fifty other persons whose notes we have had for reference, it
would appear that although a prairie state, Nebraska has an unusually
large bird fauna. These notes show 415 species and subspecies as
visiting the state, while there are records of 227 breeding within our
borders and more than 100 winter residents. When we learn that
only about 780 species are recorded for the whole of North America
north of the Mexican boundary, it certainly seems astonishing that
from among these we should receive so large a percentage. If, how-
ever, we take into consideration the variations in altitude above sea
level, the differences in surface configuration, climate, ete., that pertain
to our state, its location and the relation which it bears to the country
at large, perhaps the wonderment will become less. Our southeastern
corner is only about 800 feet, our western border almost 6,000 feet
above tide water. The state is divided into timbered, prairie and
plains regions. We lie nearly in the middle of the United States,
with a high mountain chain to the west and a giant waterway along
our eastern boundary. In fact in Nebraska meet eastern, western,
southern, and northern faunas; while we also havea fauna of our own.
We find forms belonging to low and high altitudes, to wet and dry
climates, to timbered and prairie countries, as well as to semi-desert
and alkali regions.

Orper PYGOPODES.—Tue Divine Brrps.
Famity PODICIPIDZ.—THE GREBES.

The grebes feed chiefly upon snails and other aquatic animals, such
as are found in and about their haunts. They also destroy grass-
hoppers and such other insects as come across their path. They cannot

)

58 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

be set down as injurious, neither can they be termed beneficial, on
account of their food-habits.

1. Achmophorus occidentalis (Lawr.).— Western GREBE.
Cut-off lake near Omaha (L. Skow); “North Platte, common migrant in
spring and fall” (M. K. Barnum).

2. Colymbus holbeellii (Reinh.).— American RED-NECKED

GREBE.
Reported and taken at Alda, Nebr., rare (Bull. 2, U.S. Dept. Agr., Div.
Ornith.); North America (Ridgeway).

K = p = 7

Fic. 1.—Horned Grebe.

3. Colymbus auritus Linn.—Hornep GREBE.

West Point, Nebr., common (I. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, rare” (Taylor) ;
“Northern hemisphere” (Goss); northern portions of northern hemisphere
(Ridgeway); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); “a common breeder in
alkali lakes of Cherry county, June 20-30” (I. S. Trostler).

4. Colymbus nigricollis californicus (/eerm.).— AMERICAN

EARED GREBE.
Throughout the state, especially along larger streams and lakes (L. Bruner);

‘Rather abundant in Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, arrive in

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 59

May and September (Taylor); ‘‘ Western North America, east to the Mississippi
river ’’ (Goss); east to the Mississippi valley (Ridgeway); Omaha—breeding (L.
Skow); a common migrant—a few breeding in Florence and Cut-off lakes near
Omaha (I. S. Trostler).

6. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.).—Pirp-BILLED GreBs; HELL-

DIVER; DABCHICK.

Common over most of the state (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, rare’’ (Taylor);
“ British Provinces southward into South America’ (Goss); The whole of
America (Ridgeway); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Gage county (F. A. Colby);
‘‘an abundant migrant and common breeder’? (I. S. Trostler).

Famity URINATORIDZA.—TueE Loons.

7. Urinator imber (Gunn.).—Loon.

Ns

36.

West Point, Nebr., Omaha, Nebr. (L. Bruner); not common, ‘‘ Migratory,
common, arrive the first of April and in September and October’? (Taylor) ;
‘Northern part of the northern hemisphere’’ (Goss); Omaha, Rockport (L.
Skow); Lincoln (Brezee); ‘‘ Migrant, not rare’’ (I. S. Trostler).

Urinator lumme (Gunn.).—ReED-THROATED Driver.

Missouri river at Omaha (L. Skow); ‘‘a rare migrant, one killed on the
Missouri river near Bellevue, Sept. 28, 1894’’ (I. S. Trostler).

Famity STERCORARIIDA.—Skuas anp JAEGERS.

Stercorarius pomarinus (Zemm.).—PoMARINE JAEGER.
‘Twice seen in Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘one shot at North Platte, Nov. 11,
1895”? (M. K. Barnum); “‘ Seas and inland waters of northern portions of the

northern hemisphere, south in winter to Africa, Australia, and probably South.
America (A. O. U. Check List).

Orper LONGIPENNES.—Tue Lonc-winGEp SwIMMERS..

Famity LARIDZA.—Gu.Lis anp TERNs.

The gulls, on account of their long wings and powers for flight, are:

not confined to the sea coast, hence they reach far inland in their mi-
grations, feeding extensively upon insects like locusts, June beetles,
crickets, etc., large numbers of which they destroy. Several kinds of
these birds are known to follow the plow and pick up large numbers
of white-grubs and other insects that are laid bare. In early days,

when grasshoppers did much harm in this state, large flocks of these
birds were seen to feed upon the insects.

60

47.

NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Larus marinus Jinn.—GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL.

“*T only saw this bird once in Nebraska, and then it was dead. Some Win-
nebago Indians brought one to Dakota City in May, 1871’’ (Aughey).

5la. Larus argentatus smithsonius Couwes.—Herrine GULL.

54.

58.

59.

60.

70.

Rockport, Nebr., West Point, Nebr. (L. Bruner); northeastern Nebraska
(Aughey); ‘‘Common during spring migration ’’ (Taylor); ‘* North America in
general’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); ‘‘a rare migrant, April 15, 1894” (I. S.
Trostler).

Larus delawarensis Ord.—RING-BILLED GULL.

Migrant spring and fall, West Point, Omaha, and Lincoln (L. Bruner);
‘Rather common in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrive
from May till July’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America at large’’ (Goss); Omaha
(L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Dakota City, Wood River
(D. H. Talbot); ‘‘not uncommon as a migrant at Omaha’? (I. S. Trostler).

Larus atricilla Zinn.—LauGuHina GULL.
Alda, Nebr. (Bull. No. 2,U.S. Dept. Agric., Div. Ornith.); Omaha (L. Skow)

Larus franklinii Sw. & Rich.—FRANKLIN’s GULL.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘Large numbers here during
the spring and fall migrations’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, arrive in
April, May, September, and October’’ (Taylor): ‘‘ Interior of North America’’
(Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common migrant (G. A. Coleman); Genoa
(D. H. Talbot); Omaha, common migrant (I. S. Trostler).

Larus philadelphia (Ord)—Bonaparte’s GULL.

Lincoln, Nebr. (W. D. Hunter); “The whole of North America” (Goss) ;
Lincoln, Nov. 3d (A. Eiche).

. Xema sabinii (Sab.).— Sapine’s GULL.

‘A rare visitant, south in winter to Kansas” (Goss).

. Sterna tschegrava Lepech.—CaspiAN TERN.

Lincoln, spring 1893 (Dr. F. L. Riser).

. Sterna forsteri Nutt—Forstrer’s TERN.

West Point, Swan Jake, Lincoln—breeds in Sand Hills (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Dixon
county, May, 1871’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare, arrive about the first of
May ”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America generally ’’ (Goss); Cherry county—breeds ”’
(J. M. Bates); Gage county (A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘a not uncommon migrant,”’
‘* Several pairs seen in Cherry county June 20 to 30, where they probably
breed ”’ (I. S. Trostler); Fairbury (Dr. M. L. Eaton).

Sterna hirundo Jinn.—Common TERN; SEA SWALLOW.

Lincoln, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, rare, arrive about the first
of May’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Migratory, very rare’’ (Goss, Birds of Kansas); Omaha
(L. Skow).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 61

71. Sterna paradiseea (Briinn).— Arctic TrrRn.
“Only saw a few of these terns in Dixon county, in May, 1866” (Aughey).

74. Sterna antillarum (JLess.).—Lrast TERN.

West Point, Nebr. (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rather common in Nebraska”? (Aughey);
‘Migratory, abundant; summer resident, not uncommon”? (Taylor); ‘‘ North
America, northward to California and New England”’ (Goss); Omaha—breed-
ing (L. Skow); Peru, abundant—probably breeds (G. A. Coleman); ‘‘A few
seen around Cut-off lake near Omaha during summer of 1893”? (I. S. Trostler).

77. Hydrehelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.).—BLack Tern.
West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Holt county, Platte river (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Breeds
here” (Aughey); ‘“ Migratory, common; summer resident, rare: arrive about the
first of May and in October’’ (Taylor); ‘‘Temperate North America’’ (Goss);
Beatrice (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, common migrant
(G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Swan lake, Holt
county (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘A common migrant and

not an uncommon summer resident—breeds’’ (I. S. Trostler).

ORDER STEGANOPODES.—TorrpatmaTE SWIMMERS.
Famity ANHINGIDZA.—Dartrers.

118. Anhinga anhinga (Linn.).—ANHINGA, SNAKE Brrp.

An accidental visitor—based on a single specimen that was shot several years
ago within a few miles of Omaha and mounted by F. J. Brezee (L. Bruner).

Famity PHALACROCORACIDZE.—CormMorANTs.

120. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swain.).—Dousue-cresteD Cor-
MORANT.

Florence lake (J. Budd); Cut-off lake (F. J. Brezee); West Point (L.
Bruner); “ Perhaps passing through the state in April and November” (Tay-
lor); “South in winter to the Gulf coast” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry
county (J. M. Bates); ‘‘ migrant, not rare” (I. S. Trostler).

120a. Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus (Awd.).—IFLoripa
CoRMORANT.
West Point, Omaha, Platte river, Lincoln (L. Bruner); Omaha (F. J. Brezee).

121. Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt)—Mexican Cormo-
RANT.

North in the interior to Kansas and southern Illinois (A. O. U. Check List);
Reported in spring from West Point, Cuming county, by a friend (L. Bruner).

62 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Famity PELECANIDZA.—PE.icans.

125. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmel.— AmMErIcAN WHITE
PELICAN.

Numerous localities (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Frequently seen in Nebraska during its
migrations’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, arrive in April, May, October,
and November’? (Taylor); ‘‘ Temperate North America’’ (Goss); Beatrice (A.
S. Pearse); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Wood River (D.
H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘ migratory, not uncommon”? (I. 8.
Trostler).

126. Pelecanus fuscus Linn.—Brown PELICAN.

St. Paul, Nebr., Oct. 10, 1885, one male specimen (D. H. Talbot); Honey
Creek lake, near Omaha, in spring, ‘‘Saw fragments of six specimens in hog-pen
where they had been thrown by the man who shot them”? (L. Skow).

OrpER ANSERES.—SuHort-winGeEp SwIMMERS oR Ducks,
GEESE, ETC.
Famity ANATIDA.—Ducks, Brants, GEESE, SWANS.

129. Merganser americanus (Cass.).—AmMmRICAN MERGANSER.

West Point, Omaha, Platte river, and Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, rare,

arrive the last of April or first of May’’ (Taylor); ‘‘The whole of North

America’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates);
‘Omaha, migratory, common”? (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln (Dr. F. L. Riser).

130. Merganser serrator (Jinn.).—RrEp BREASTED MERGANSER.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Platte river (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Winter resident,
rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘south in winter throughout the United States’’ (Goss);
Omaha (L. Skow); ‘‘Omaha, migratory, several killed on Florence lake in
1894’’ (I. S. Trostler).

131. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.)—Hoopep MERGANSER.

West Point, Omaha, Fremont, Holt county, Rockport, South Bend, Lincoln
(L. Bruner); ‘“‘ Winter resident, somewhat common; resident, rare” (Taylor);
North America in general” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county—
breeds (J. M. Bates); “Occasionally seen in summer around lakes in Burt and
Washington counties” (I. S. Trostler).

132. Anas boschas Linn.—MALLARD.

Common over state—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘ Very abundant in Nebraska dur-
ing its migrations; many also breed here” (Aughey); ‘ Migratory, abundant;
resident, common” (Taylor); “ Whole of Northern hemisphere ” (Goss); Omaha
(L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); several Nebraska localities
(D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); “an abundant migrant, rare
breeder in vicinity of Omaha, but common breeder in Cherry county ” (I. S.
Trostler).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 63

133. Anas obscura Gmel.—Buiack Duck; Dusky Duck.

Once at West Point (L. Bruner); occasional in market in Omaha (L.
Bruner); Lincoln, occasionally (W. D. Hunter); “Occurs sparingly in Ne-
braska” (Aughey); “Migratory, common, arrive the last of March or first of
April” (Taylor); “Eastern North America” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); not
rare a8 a mMigrant—seen in company with the mallard at Omaha” (I. S. Trost-
ler).

135. Anas strepera Linn.—GADWALL.

West Point, Swan lake, Lincoln, Omaha—breeding in Holt county (L.
Bruner); “Migratory, common, probably breeds in Nebraska” (Taylor);
“Northern hemisphere in general” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county
—breeds (J. M. Bates); a common migrant (I. S. Trostler).

36. Anas penelope Linn.—WinGEon.

A single specimen at West Point years ago, also seen in Omaha markets on
rare occasions (L. Bruner).

Fic. 2.—Green-winged Teal.

137. Anas americana Gme/.—BaLppaTE; AMERICAN WIDGEON.
A common duck over all Nebraska—West Point, Norfolk, Neligh, Holt
county, Platte river, Omaha, ete. (L. Bruner); “‘ Migratory, common, arrive the
last of March or first of April” (Taylor); “ North America in general” (Goss);
Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); “Omaha, a common
migrant” (I. S. Trostler).

139. Anas carolinensis Gmel.—GREEN-WINGED TEAL.

West Point, Holt county, Norfolk, Dakota county, Omaha, Platte river,
Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Very abundant in Nebraska during its migrations’’
(Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, arrive in April and September”? (Taylor);
‘** North America in general’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M.

64 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Bates); Genoa, Wood River (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha,
“‘a common migrant”? (I. S. Trostler).

140. Anas discors Linn.—BLur-wInGED TRAL.

A common summer resident over most of the state—numerous localities
(L. Bruner); found in Nebraska (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant; summer
resident, rare—arrive in May’’ (Taylor); ‘‘North America in general, but
chiefly east of the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Beatrice (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—
breeds (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeding (J. M. Bates); Genoa, O’ Neill (D.
H. Talbot); Gage county (F..A. Colby); Omaha, an abundant migrant and
common breeder over state’’ (I. S. Trostler).

141. Anas cyanoptera Vieill/—Cinnamon TEAL.

West Point, Omaha, Niobrara (L. Bruner); Grand Island, Florence (F. J
Brezee); “Occasional visitant’’ (Bull. No. 2, U. S. Div. Ornith); ‘‘In North
America east to the plains, and casual to Florida and Manitoba’? (Goss) ;
Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county—rare (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘‘a rare mi-
grant—seen in company with Blue-winged Teal’’ (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln
(Dr. F. L. Riser). 2

142. Spatula clypeata (Linn.).—SHoveLLeR Duck.

Common summer resident over state, numerous localities (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Oc-
casionally met with in Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, sometimes common,
arrive about the first of April, a few may breed in the state (Taylor); ‘‘ North-
ern hemisphere in general’’,(Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common—may
breed (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Elm Creek (D.
H. Talbot); Omaha, a common migrant, breeding in Cherry county”? (I. 8.
Trostler).

143. Dafila acuta (Linn.).—PrnTaiL; SpRI@rAIL.

A common migrant, West Point, Norfolk, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner);
“common in Nebraska, especially during its migrations’? (Aughey); ‘ Migra-
tory, abundant, arrive in March and first of April” (Taylor); “ Northern hemi-
sphere in general” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, migrant (G. A. Coleman),
Cherry county—breeding (J. M. Bates); Wood River (D. H. Talbot); Gage
county (F. A. Colby); Omaha, “an abundant migrant” (I. S. Trostler).

144, Aix sponsa (Linn.).—Woop Duck; Summer Duck.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Oakdale (L. Bruner); ‘‘Rather abundant in
Nebraska and breeds here’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common, arrive
the first of April and stay till October’’ (Taylor); ‘‘The whole of temperate
North America’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M.
Bates); Genoa, O’ Neill (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a com-
mon migrant and summer resident in vicinity of Omaha”? (I. S. Trostler).

146. Aythya americana (Hyt.).—Rep-HEAD Duck.
West Point, Holt county, Lyons, Blair, Omaha, South Bend, Lincoln, ete. (L.
Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrive in April and May, September and Octo-
ber”’ (Taylor); ‘‘North America in general’’ (Goss); Beatrice (A. S. Pearse);

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 65

Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, rare migrant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—
breeding (J. M. Bates); Wood River (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby);
**Omaha, an abundant migrant’’ (I. S. Trostler).

147. Aythya vallisneria ( Wils.)—Canvas-pack Duck.

West Point, Lyons, Lincoln, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, sometimes
abundant” (Taylor); ‘‘ North America in general’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow);
Cherry county—rare (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘‘an irregualr migrant, some years
abundant and others rare’? (I. S. Trostler).

148. Aythya marila nearctica Stejn.—BLuE-BILL; Scaup Duck,

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “ Probably migratory, rare” (Tay-
lor); “North America in general” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, rare mi-
grant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha, “a common mi-
grant” (I. S. Trostler).

149. Aythya affinis (/yt.).—LirrLe BLue-BitL; Lesser Scaup
Duck.

West Point, Holt county, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrive
in April (Taylor); “North America in General’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow);
Peru, common migrant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha,
““a common migrant” (I. S. Trostler).

150. Aythya collaris (Donov.).—Rinc-NECKED Duck.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Probably migratory and not
uncommon”? (Taylor); ‘‘ North America in general’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow);
Omaha, ‘‘a not uncommon migrant’’ (I. S. Trostler).

151. Glaucionetta clangula americana (Bonap.).—GoLDEN-
EYE; WHISTLER.

Omaha, Lyons (L. Bruner); Omaha, Grand Island (F. J. Brezee); “ Migra-
tory, common, arrive in April and May” (Taylor); “ North America in gen-
eral” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha, “a not
uncommon migrant” (I. 8. Trostler).

152. Glaucionetta islandica (Gme/.).—BARRow’s GOLDEN-EYE;
Rocky-MountTain WHISTLER.

Long Pine (L. Bruner); Grand Island (F. J. Brezee); Omaha, ‘‘a rare mi-
grant in company with American Golden-eye” (I. S. Trostler).

153. Charitonetta albeola (Linn.).—BurTrerBALL; BUFFLE-
' HEAD; Sprrit Duck.

West Point, Norfolk, Lyons, Blair, Omaha, Lincoln, etc. (L. Bruner); ‘‘ along
the Missouri and its tributaries in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, com-
mon’? (Taylor); ‘‘ North America’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common
migrant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha, “a not un-
common migrant’’ (I. 8. Trostler).

66 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

154. Clangula hyemalis (inn.).—OLp-Squaw Duck. :

Omaha market, lake near Blair, Nebr. (L. Bruner),

155. Histrionicus histrionicus (Linn.)— Har Lequin Duck.
A specimen was obtained in Omaha market from among birds said to have
been shot in Burt county (L. Bruner); Omaha, ‘‘a rare migrant, two seen
which were killed on the Missouri river, Sept. 16, 1893, one also killed Sept. 19,
1895, on Florence lake’? (I. S. Trostler).

165. Oidemia deglandi Bonap.—WHITE-WINGED SCOTER.
Tekamah or some point in Burt or Washington counties (F. J. Brezee).

166. Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.).—Surr Scorer.

‘*South in winter to Jamaica, Florida, Ohio river, Kansas, and Lower Cali-
fornia’’ (Goss). Three birds that without doubt belong here were shot on
‘*Salt Lake’’ near Lincoln, November, 1895, by students of the University.
The specimens were unfortunately picked and cooked before their value was
known (L. Bruner).

167. Erismatura rubida (Wils.).—Ruppy Duck.

Numerous localities in the state (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rather common along the
Missouri during its migrations’’ (Aughey); ‘*‘ Migratory, common, arrive in
May and October’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America in general’? (Goss); Omaha
(L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha,
‘‘a very irregular migrant ’’ (I. S. Trostler).

169. Chen hyperborea (Pall.).— Lesser Snow Goose.
West Point, Lincoln, Ashland (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, arrive in
April and in October’? (Taylor); ‘‘ East to the Mississippi valley ’’ (Goss);
Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); a number of localities on
“Platte river (D. H. Talbot); an abundant migrant in company with Canada
and Hutchin’s geese’’ (I. 8. Trostler).

169a. Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.).—GrEATER SNow
GOOSE.
Occasional on Platte and Missouri rivers, West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner);
‘‘Abundantin Nebraska during its migrations’’ (Aughey); Omaha (L. Skow);
‘‘a common migrant ’’ (I. 8. Trostler).

169. 1. Chen cerulescens (Linn.).—BLuE Goose.

West Point, Omaha, Ashland (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory in fall, common;
winter resident, rare; arrive October 1 and leave about the middle of Decem-
ber’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Interior of North America, east of the Rocky mountains”’
(Goss) ; Omaha (L. Skow); Gibbon, Wood River (D. H. Talbot); Omaha, ‘‘a
not common migrant”? (I. S. Trostler).

171a. Anser albifrons gambeli (//art/.).—AMERIcAN WHITE-
FRONTED GOOSE.

West Point, Platte river (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrive about the
first of March’’ (Taylor); ‘‘North America’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow);

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 67

Omaha, ‘‘a common migrant, the first goose in spring’? (I. S. Trostler); Wood
River, Gibbon, Elm Creek, and Grand Island (D. H. Talbot).

172. Branta canadensis (Linn.).—CaNaDA Goose.

West Point, Omaha, Lyons, Lincoln, South Bend, ete. (L. Bruner); “ Migra-
tory, somewhat common; summer resident, rare” (Taylor); ‘Temperate North
America” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common—migrant (G. A. Coleman);
Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); numerous localities in central part of
state (D. H. Talbot); Omaha, “a very abundant migrant” (I. S. Trostler);
“very abundant in Nebraska, and occasionally breeds here” (Aughey).

172a. Branta canadensis hutchinsii (/ich.).— Hurtcuin’s
GOOSE.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); “ Migratory, abundant, arrives in April”

(Taylor); “South in winter chiefly through the Mississippi valley”? (Goss);

Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘a common migrant”
(I. 8S. Trostler).

173. Branta bernicla (Linn.).—Brant; BERNICLE Goose.

In Omaha gun store, said to have been shot on Platte river (L. Skow);
Omaha, “a not very rare migrant, saw three that were killed on the Missouri
river, Nov. 9, 1895—sportsmen say they are commonest in fall” (I. 8. Trostler).

180. Olor columbianus (Ord).—WuistLine SwAn.

West Point, North Bend, Ashland, Lincoln, ete.—formerly bred in Holt
county (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Probably migratory, rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America
in general’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Omaha, *‘a rare migrant’ (I. 5S.
Trostler).

181. Olor buccinator (Rich.)—TRuMPETER Swan.

Platte river (L. Bruner) ; ‘‘ Rare in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare,
arrives in April and October’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ chiefly the interior of North Amer-
ica’’ (Goss); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Grant county (J. D. Knight);
Omaha, ‘‘a rare migrant’’ (I. S. Trostler).

OrpER HERODIONES.—HeEnrons, Storks, [BISEs, ETC.

Famity [BIDA@.—IBIsEs.

186. Plegadis autumnalis (Hasselq.).—Guossy Its.

Omaha (F. J. Brezee); ‘‘ wandering northward to New England and Illi-
nois. In America only locally abundant and of irregular distribution ’’ (A.
O. U. Check List).

187. Plegadis guarauna (Linn.).—WuitE-raceD Grossy Isis.
Omaha (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘a straggler was killed on Florence lake, Aug.
19, 1893 (I. S. Trostler); Clarks, Nebr. (Frank Parmalee).

68 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Famity CICONIIDZE.—Srorks ann Woop Isisgs.

188. Tantalus loculator Zinn.—Woop Insts.

A rare, irregular straggler, if the reports of several persons, the names of
whom cannot be recalled at this moment, can be relied upon (L. Bruner).

FaMILy ARDEIDZ, —HeEnrons, Birrerns, erc.

190. Botaurus lentiginosus (JMontag.).—Birrern; THUNDER
PUMPER.

West Point, Holt county, Lincoln, Platte river—breeds in state (L. Bruner);
“Occasionally seen in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘summer resident, common, ar-
rives in April and leaves in October ’’ (Taylor); ‘‘The whole of temperate and
tropical North America’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru—breeds (G.
A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Wood River, O’ Neill, Hartington
(D. H. Talbot); Omaha, a common migrant, but uncommon summer resident
(I. S. Trostler).

191. Ardetta exilis (Gmelin).—Leasr Birrern.

West Point, Lincoln—breeding at West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘The whole of
temperate North America’’ (Goss); Omaha—nesting (L. Skow); Peru, abun-
dant—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘an abun-
dant migrant and a common summer resident’’ (I. S. Trostler).

194, Ardea herodias Linn.—Grear Biur Heron.
West Point, Norfolk, Florence, Blair, Lincoln, ete.—breeding at West Point
(L. Bruner); ‘‘occasionally seen in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ migratory, some-
times common, more abundant in the fall than spring’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North
America from the Arctic regions southward’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeding (L.
Skow); Oakdale, Wood River (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby);
Omaha, ‘‘a common migrant and not uncommon resident ”’ (I. S. Trostler).

196. Ardea egretta Gmelin.—Great Wuire Eerer.
Richardson county, May, 1873 (Samuel Aughey); “ North casually to the
British provinces’’ (Goss); Nebraska City, Florence lake (L. Skow); “a strag-
gler was killed near Omaha, July 12, 1894”? (I. S. Trostler).

197. Ardea candidissima Gmelin.—Snowy Herron; Litre
WuitE EaRet.

Reported from southeastern Nebraska—not rare (L. Bruner); ‘‘Otoe and

Richardson counties’? (Aughey); ‘‘ From the northern United States to Chili”

(Goss); “Straggler, one was killed near Fremont, Sept. 4, 1893’’ (I. S. Trost-
ler).

200. Ardea cerulea Jinn.—LitrLe BLuE Heron.

Omaha (?) (Brezee); occasional in south part of state (L. Bruner); “ Probably
not an uncommon summer resident’’ (Taylor); ‘“ Casuaily north to Massachu-
setts, Illinois, Kansas, ete.’? (Goss); Butler county, on Platte river (Dr.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 69

Peebles); “ Rare in the vicinity of Omaha, but a colony breed annually thirty
miles north of here” (I. S. Trostler).
201. Ardea virescens (Linn.).—GreEEN Herron; Poke,

_ West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Oakdale, ete.—common, breeds (L. Bruner);
“ Probably not an uncommon summer resident ’’ (Taylor); “ The whole of tem-

Fig. 3.—Green Heron; Poke.

perate North America” (Goss); Beatrice—nesting, De Witt (A. S. Pearse);
Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Gage
county—breeds (F. A. Colby); “not rare as a summer resident ” (I. S. Trostler).

202. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius (Bodd.). — Buack-
CROWNED Nigut HERON.

West Point, Oakland, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Nearly the whole of
America except the Arctic regions’’ (Goss); Omaha—nesting (L. Skow); Peru,
not uncommon—may breed (G. A. Coleman); Bow creek, Nebr. (D. H. Tal-
bot); “Straggler, saw one that was killed Sept. 3, 1894, near Cut-off lake’? (I.
S. Trostler).

203. Nycticorax violaceus (Linn.).— YELLOW-cROWNED NIGHT
HERON.
Reported from Platte river—a single specimen seen from Valley (L. Bruner);
‘‘ Probaby a rare summer resident ’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Breeding regularly north into
Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, etc. (Goss); “A rare summer resident” (I. S.
Trostler).

70 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

OrpeER PALUDICOLA.—Crangs, Rats, ETC.
Famity GRUIDZA.—CrRaANEs.

204. Grus americana (Linn.).— WHOOPING CRANE.

West Point, Craig, Holt county, Omaha, ete. (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Occasionally seen
in northern Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, somewhat common’? (Tay-
lor); ‘‘ Interior of North America’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county
(J. M. Bates); Grand Island (F. J. Brezee); Elm Creek, Wolf creek (D. H.
Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a common migrant’’ (I. S. Trostler).

205. Grus canadensis (Linn.).-—LirrLeE Brown CRANE.

‘* Migrating south through western United States, east of the Rocky mount-
ains’’ (Goss); West Point, Scribner, Nebr. (L. Bruner); Omaha (L. Skow).

206. Grus mexicana (J/iill.).—SANDHILL CRANE.

Omaha, West Point, Lyons, Holt county, Platte river—breeding in Holt
county (L. Bruner); “Rather abundant in Nebraska” (Aughey); “ Migratory,
abundant, arrive in March and in the fall”’ (Taylor); ‘“‘ From the Mississippi
valley to the Pacific coast’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common migrant
(G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); numerous localities
(D. H. Talbot); ‘‘A common migrant, observed breeding one-half mile north
of state line—five young in nest owned by two females and one male”? (I. S.
Trostler).

Famity RALLIDZ.—Raltts, GALLINULES, AND Coors.
208. Rallus elegans Awd.—Kinea Ratt.

West Point, Omaha, Elkhorn (L. Bruner); ‘‘Southeastern Nebraska’’
(Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, rare, arrives in May’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Fresh water
marshes of eastern, southern, and middle United States’’ (Goss); Omaha—
breeding (L. Skow); ‘‘Summer resident—breeds in June” (I. S. Trostler).

212. Rallus virginianus Linn.—Vireinia Ratt.

West Point, Oakland, Plattsmouth (L. Bruner); “ Migratory, abundant,
may breed in the state” (Taylor); “The whole of temperate North America”
(Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); “An abundant mi-
grant—probably breeds” (I. S. Trostler).

214. Porzana carolina (Linn.).—Sora Ratt; Caronina Ral.

West Point, Oakland, Holt county—breeding, Omaha, Lincoln, ete. (L.
Bruner); “ Have seen this bird but once in Nebraska—Richardson county”
(Aughey); “ Whole of temperate North America” (Goss); Omaha—nesting (L.
Skow); Peru, common—may breed (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds
(J. M. Bates); Ponea, Ewing, O’Neill (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A.
Colby); “A not uncommon migrant—probably breeds” (I. 8. Trostler).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 71

215. Porzana noveboracensis (Gmelin). YrtLow Ratt.

Omaha in market, Bellevue (L. Bruner); ‘‘ North America, breeding chiefly
northward (Goss).

Fic. 4.—Virginia Rail.

216. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmelin).—Buack Ratt.

West Point, Omaha markets (L. Bruner); southeastern Nebraska (Bull. No.
2, Div. Ornith); ‘‘ Rare in Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, rare’?
(Taylor); ‘‘ North to Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Oregon’? (Goss).

218. Ionornis martinica (Linn.).— PurPLE GALLINULE.
Once at West Point (L. Bruner).

219. Gallinula galeata (Licht.).—FLormpa GALLINULE.

Omaha, Platte river (L. Bruner); ‘‘Sent to me from Beatrice in Sept., 1572’
(Aughey); ‘‘ North to the British provinces’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeding (L.

72 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Skow); ‘‘A common migrant and summer resident—breeds in June”? (I. S.
Trostler).

221. Fulica americana Gmelin.—Coor; Mup Hen.

Over entire state, common, breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ often seen in Nebraska’’
(Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, found in the state from the first of May till
the last of September’’ (Taylor); ‘‘The whole of North America’’ (Goss);
Beatrice (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds
(G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); O'Neill, Harding (D.
H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘Abundant migrant, formerly a com-
mon breeder in vicinity of Omaha, still so in Cherry county’ (I. S. Trostler).

OrpER LIMICOLA.—Snuore Birps.

Famity PHALAROPODIDZ.—PHALAROPEs.

223. Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.).—NortTHEeRN PHALAROPE.
Alda, Nebr. (Bull. No. 2, U.S. Dept. Agric., Div. Ornith.); D. A. Haggard
took a specimen at Lincoln in May; ‘‘ Northern portion of northern hemi-
sphere, south in winter to Guatemala’’ (Goss); ‘(a rare migrant, Omaha’? (I.
8. Trostler).

224. Phalaropus tricolor ( Viei/l.).—Wutson’s PHALAROPE.
West Point, Holt county, Fremont, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “Common
in eastern Nebraska” (Aughey); ‘ Migratory, common, found in the state from
Jast of April till September” (Taylor); “Temperate North America, but chiefly
in the interior” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, rare migrant (G. A. Cole-
man); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Omaha “an abundant migrant”
(I. S. Trostler); Fullerton, Nance county (C. E. Barker).

Famity RECURVIROSTRIDZ.—Avocets Anp Stiuts.

225. Recurvirostra americana Gmelin.—AMERICAN AVOCET.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘in the vicinity of ponds, lakelets, and
streams’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, summer resident rare’’ (Taylor);
‘“Temperate North America, abundant in the interior’’ (Goss); Omaha (L.
Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Wood River (D. H. Talbot); “an abundant
migrant, breeds in Dewey Lake Township, Cherry county”? (I. S. Trostler). _

226. Himantopus mexicanus (Jiill.).—BLAck-NECKED STILT.
Omaha (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘an occasional visitor, never common”? (I. S.
Trostler).

Famity SCOLOPACIDZA.—Snrres, SaAnppIPpERs, ETC.

228. Philohela minor (G'melin).—AMERICAN Woopcock.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Occasionally seen in Nebraska, and
breeds here’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, somewhat common; summer resident

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 73

rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ west to the plains’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow);
Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha “ migrant, not common; as a resident rare,
gradually diminishing in numbers’? (I. S. Trostler).

230. Gallinago delicata (Ord).—Wu1son’s SNIPE.

West Point, Lyons, Norfolk, Holt county, Neligh, Omaha, etc. (L. Bruner);
“Common in Nebraska during its migrations” (Aughey); “ Migratory, abun-
dant, arrives in April, September, and October” (Taylor); “The whole of
North America” (Goss); Fairbury (M. L. Eaton); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru,
common migrant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—remains throughout win-
ter at Long Pine (J. M. Bates); Omaha, “an abundant migrant” (I. S. Trost-
ler); Sioux county, Dec., 1895 (L. Bruner); Feb. 24, 26, 1896 (W. D. Hunter,
L. Skow).

231. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmelin)—DowitcHER; Rep-
BREASTED SNIPE.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant during its migra-
tions’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, arrives in May, September, and
October ’’ (Taylor); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha,
‘*a common migrant ”’ (I. S. Trostler).

232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say).—Lone-BiLLep Dow-
ITCHER.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, somewhat rare, has been
found in April’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America in general, but chiefly in the
western provinces’’ (Goss); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘‘a not un-
common migrant’? (I. S. Trostler).

233. Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.).—StTitt SANDPIPER.
West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Holt county (L. Bruner); ‘‘ West to the Rocky
mountains ’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates) ; Omaha,
‘a not uncommon migrant’’ (I. 8. Trostler).

234. Tringa canutus Linn.—Kwnor; Rosin Snipe.
‘Occasionally seen in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); Nebraska (Bull. No. 2, Div.
Ornith.); ‘‘Migratory, rare, has been seen in October’’ (Taylor); Omaha,
‘ca very rare migrant, one killed on Missouri river by a gunner Sept. 30, 1893”
(I. S. Trostler).

239. Tringa maculata Vieil/.—PrctoraL SANDPIPER; JACK

SNIPE.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, common—the records of
the Normal Science Society show its arrival as early as April 12”’ (Taylor);
‘Nearly the whole of America’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common
migrant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘*a common
migrant’ (I. S. Trostler).

6

74 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

240. Tringa fuscicollis Vieil—WuirE-RUMPED SANDPIPER; Bo-
NAPARTE’S SANDPIPER.

“T have only occasionally seen this bird in Nebraska” (Aughey); Lincoln (D. A.
Haggard); “ Migratory, rare” (Taylor); ‘‘ Nearly the whole of America” (Goss) ;
Fairbury (M. L. Eaton); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common, migrant (G. A.
Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha, “a not common migrant”
I. S. Trostler).

241. Tringa bairdii (Coues).—Barrp’s SANDPIPER.

West Point, Holt county, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rather common in Ne-
braska during its migrations’? (Aughey); ‘‘Migratory, common, arrive in
May and October’’ (Taylor); ‘‘America in general, but chiefly the interior ’’
(Goss); Omaha(L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘‘rarely seen,
but probably a common migrant’? (I. 8. Trostler).

242. Tringa minutilla Viei/l—Lerasr SANDPIPER.

West Point, Lincoln, Holt county (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Very abundant in Nebraska
during its migrations’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant; arrive in April,
September, and October’? (Taylor); ‘‘America in general’’ (Goss); Omaha
(L. Skow); Peru, common migrant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M.
Bates); Wood River (D. H. Talbot); Omaha, ‘‘an abundant migrant’? (I. S.
Trostler).

243a. Tringa alpina pacifica (Coues)—RrEpD-BACKED SANDPIPER.

Lincoln (D. A. Haggard); North America in general (Goss); Omaha (L.
Skow); Omaha, ‘‘ quite common as a migrant in spring’’ (I. S. Trostler).

246. Eureunetes pusillus (Linn.).—SEmI-pALMATED SANDPIPER.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Occasionally present in Nebraska during
its migrations’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare, arrive about the first of May’’
(Taylor); ‘‘ West during migration to the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Omaha
(L. Skow); Peru, rare—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates);
Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘a common migrant”’ (I. S. Trostler).

247. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr.—WESTERN SANDPIPER.
Omaha (L. Skow).

248. Calidris arenaria (Linn.).—SANDERLING.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Nearly cosmopolitan, but breeding only in
northern portions of the northern hemisphere’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow);
North Loup, Nebr. (D. H. Talbot); Omaha, ‘‘not rare as a migrant’? (I. S.
Trostler).

249. Limosa fedoa (Linn.).—Marsiep Gopwirt.

West Point, Holt county (L. Bruner); ‘‘Common in Nebraska and breeds
here’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant; summer resident, common; arrives
in May and September”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America in general, breeding from
Iowa, Dakota, etc. (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates);
Omaha, ‘‘a common migrant”’ (I. 8. Trostler).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 75

251. Limosa hemastica (Linn.).—Hupsonian GopwiIrt.

West Point, Oakland, Lincoln, Holt county (L. Bruner); “ Probably occa-
sionally found in May” (Taylor); “ Nearly the whole of America” (Goss).

254. Totanus melanoleucus (G'mel.).—GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.

West Point, Norfolk, Neligh, Holt county—breeds, Lincoln, Omaha (L.

Bruner); ‘‘Abundant in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrives

in April, May, September, and October ’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Nearly the whole of Amer-

ica’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, rare—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry
county (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘‘a common migrant’? (I. 8S. Trostler).

255. Totanus flavipes ((mel.).— Y ELLOW-LEGS.

West Point, Holt county, Lincoln, ete. (L. Bruner); abundant in Nebraska.
(Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, arrives in April, September, and October ’’
(Taylor); ‘‘The whole of North America” (Goss); Beatrice (A. S. Pearse) ;
Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common migrant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—
breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘an abundant mi-
grant’’ (I. S. Trostler).

256. Totanus solitarius (Wils.).—Sotirary SANDPIPER.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Only seen in Nebraska during its migra-
tions”? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant; summer resident, common; arrives
in April?’ (Taylor); ‘‘The whole of temperate North America’ (Goss);
Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Ponca (D. H. Tal-
bot); Omaha, ‘‘a2 common migrant’? (I. S. Trostler).

258a. Symphemia sentipalmata inornata Brewster.— WESTERN
WILLET.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Probably not uncommon in the state ’’
(Taylor); ‘‘ Western North America, east to the Mississippi valley” (Goss);
Omaha (Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); ‘‘a common migrant and
probably a summer resident in the lake region of north and northwest Ne-
braska’’ (I. S. Trostler).

261. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.).—BARTRAMIAN SAND-
PIPER; FIELD PLOVER.

Greater portion of state—breeding (L. Bruner); exceedingly abundant in
Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant; summer resident, common; ar-
rives in May and September ”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Eastern and central North America’’
(Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—nesting (L.
Skow); Peru, rare—probably breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds
(J. M. Bates); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a very common migrant and not
uncommon resident, very common in Cherry county in late June, 1895 (8.
Trostler).

262. Tringites subruficollis (Vieill.)—Burr-BrEasTeD Sanp-
PIPER.

West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rare in Nebraska,—Nebraska City ”’ (Aughey);

‘‘ Migratory, rare, arrives in May and September ”’ (Taylor): ‘* North America

76 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

in general, especially the interior’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse);
Omaha (L. Skow); Lincoln (D. A. Haggard); Gage county (F. A. Colby).

263. Actitis macularia (Linn.).—Sporrep SANDPIPER.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rather common in Nebraska, especially
during its migrations’? (Aughey) ; ‘‘ Migratory, common; summer resident,
probably rare; arrives in May and September’? (Taylor); ‘‘ North America in
general’’ (Goss); Beatrice (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru,
common—breeds (G. A. Coleman): Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage
county (F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘an abundant migrant, and an occasional sum-
mer resident ’’ (I. S. Trostler)

264. Numenius longirostris Wi/s.—Lone-BILLED CURLEW.
West Point, Holt county, Omaha—breeding in Holt county (L. Bruner) ;
‘Formerly abundant in Nebraska—breeds here’’ (Auyhey); ‘‘ Migratory,
common; summer resident, rare; arrives in April and September ’’ (Taylor);
““The whole of temperate North America’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry
county—breeds (J. M. Bates); ‘‘A common migrant, and saw young just
hatched in Cherry county June 22, 1895’? (I. S. Trostler).

265. Numenius hudsonicus Lath.—Hupson1an CurRLEw.
West Point, Holt county (L. Bruner); “Rare in Nebraska” (Aughey);
“Nearly the ‘whole of North America, breeds from northern Dakota to the
Arctic coast” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow).

266. Numenius borealis (/r'st.)—Eskimo CuRLEw.

Omaha, West Point (L. Bruner), “in northe&stern Nebraska during its mi-
grations” (Aughey); ‘“ Migratory, abundant, arrive in April, May, and Octo-
ber’? (Taylor); “ Northern and eastern North America” (Goss); Cherry county
(J. M. Bates); “A common migrant’’ (I. S. Trostler).

Famity CHARADRIIDZ,—PuLovers.

270. Charadrius squatarola (Linn.).—BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘Occasionally seen in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); Lincoln

(A. Eiche); ‘‘ Migratory, rare’? (Taylor); ‘‘Nearly cosmopolitan”’ (Goss);

Omaha (L. Skow); Alliance, Atkinson (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘‘a not common
migrant’’ (I. S. Trostler).

272. Charadrius dominicus Wii/l—GoLpEN PLOVER.
West Point, Norfolk, Holt county, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Have only
seen this plover pass through Nebraska during its migrations’? (Aughey);
‘“ Migratory, abundant, arrives in April, May, September, and October’? (Tay-
lor); ‘‘ Nearly the whole of America’’ (Goss); Genoa (D. H. Talbot); “A com-
mon migrant’? (I. 8. Trostler).

273. Aigialtis vocifera (Linn.).—K1LLDEER.
Common throughout the state—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Sparingly present in
Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, abundant, arrive in April, May,

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. Gt

September, and October’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ The whole of temperate North America’’
(Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—nests (L. Skow); Peru—
breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Genoa, O’ Neill,
Bow creek (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha, an abundant
migrant, and a common summer resident”’ (I. S. Trostler).

Fie. 5.—Golden Plover.

274. Aigialtis semipalmata Bonap.—SeMIPALMATED PLOVER.
West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant in Nebraska during
its spring and fall migrations’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrive in May
and September’”’ (Taylor); ‘‘The whole of North America’’ (Goss); Omaha

(L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘a common migrant’? (I. S. Trostler).

277a. ABgialtis meloda circumcincta Aidgw.—Be rep Pipine
PLOVER.

Lincoln, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘Common in Nebraska, and breeds here’’
(Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common; summer resident, occasional; arrives in May
and September”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Breeding from northern Illinois and Nebraska,
northward ’”’ (Goss); Peru, rare migrant (G. A. Coleman); Omaha, ‘‘a rare mi-
grant’’ (I. S. Trostler).

278. Aigialtis nivosa Causs.—Snowy PLover.

A small flock of what was supposed to be this plover was seen in Holt county
in spring of 1885 (L. Bruner); ‘‘from California east to Kansas and western
Gulf states’? (A. O. U. Check List); ‘‘quite common as a summer resident in
western Nebraska”? (a ‘‘travelling salesman ’’ through I. 8. Trostler).

281. Agialtis montana ( Towns.).—MountTAIN PLOVER.

Sidney, Marsland, Harrison (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant in Nebraska, especially
in the western portions of the state’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant in

78 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

western Nebraska; summer resident, common; arrives in May and September’?
(Taylor); ‘‘ East into Texas and Dakota’’ (Goss).

Famity APHRIZIDZ.—Swurr Birps anp TURNSTONEs.

283. Arenaria interpres—(Linn.).—TURNSTONE.
Lincoln, on salt basins, May 25th (W. D. Hunter); do., May 16, 1895 (A.
Hiche).

Fic. 6.—Turnstone.

286. Hematopus palliatus Zemm.— Tue AMERICAN OysTER-
CATCHER.

Northeastern Nebraska—accidental, a single specimen of this bird is reported
as having been shot in spring of 1889 by a Mr. Chas. Vaughn of Vermillion,
S. Dak. (Dr. G. S. Agersborg).

OrpER GALLIN4.—GaLuimnaceous Birps.
Famity TETRAONIDZ.—Grovse, PARTRIDGES, ETC.

The various members of the present family, while belonging to a
grain eating group, are certainly quite prominent as insect destroyers.
Especially is this true with respect to the Quail, Prairie Hen, Sharp-
tailed Grouse, and Wild Turkey, all of which occupy most of the sum-
mer in capturing and destroying vast numbers of such insects as are
found on the prairies. Grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, caterpillars
and similar insects thus form the bulk of their insect food, forms that
are all among the most numerous as well as destructive species. In

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 79

writing about these birds as insect destroyers Professor Samuel Aughey
writes :* “JT happened to be in the Republican valley, in southwestern
Nebraska, in August, 1874, when the locusts invaded that region.
Prairie chickens and quails, that previous to their coming had a
large number of seeds in their stomachs when dissected, seemed now
for a time to abandon all other kinds of food. At least from this on-
ward fora month little else than locusts were found in their stomachs.
All the birds seemed now to live solely on locusts for a while.”

In winter and at other times of the year when insect life is scarce
and difficult to obtain these birds feed more or less extensively upon
seeds and other kinds of vegetation. Some even enter cultivated
grounds and seek food that belongs to the farmer, thereby doing more or
less direct injury. The extent of such injury, of course, depends upon
the number of birds engaged in the depredations, and also on the time
over which it is allowed to extend. If corn and other grain is har-
vested at the proper time but little damage ensues; but if allowed to
remain in the field throughout winter much of the crop is liable to be
taken by the birds.

289. Colinus virginianus (Linn.).—Bos-WHITE; QUAIL.
Greater part of state—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Common in Nebraska’’
(Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, common’? (Taylor); ‘‘the greater portion of Nebraska’’
(Bendire); ‘‘ West to Dakota, Kansas, Indian Territory, and eastern Texas’’
(Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—nesting (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow);
Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Elm Creek, Elk Creek, Wood River,
Verdigris, etc. (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha, “formerly
an abundant resident, gradually becoming rarer, although still comparatively
common, breeds April 15 to Aug, 1—two to four broods”’ (I. 8. Trostler).
Perhaps no other bird that frequents the farm pays higher prices
for the grain it eats than does the Quail. Living about the hedge-
rows, groves, and ravines, where insect enemies gather and lurk during
the greater part of the year, this bird not only seizes large numbers of
these enemies daily during the summer months when they are “ abroad
in the land,” but all winter through it scratches among the fallen leaves
and other rubbish that accumulates about its haunts seeking for hiber-
nating insects of various kinds. Being a timid little creature, the
quail seldom leaves cover to feed openly in the fields, and therefore
does but little actual harm in the way of destroying grain. In fact it
only takes stray kernels that otherwise might be lost.

*See 1st Rept. U. S. Ent. Com., p. 341.

80 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

It is also one of the few birds that feeds upon that unsavory insect,
the Chinch-bug; and the number of this pest that occasionally fall its
prey is really astonishing. A single Chinch-bug is a small thing, still
I have seen a quail’s stomach filled with them—more than 500 at
least calculation having been sacrificed for a single meal of the bird
examined.

Fic. 7.—Bob-white ; Quail.

No farmer or fruit-grower should ever kill a quail himself, nor
should he allow any one else to hunt them on his premises.

Among the many complimentary things that have been said and
written about the Quail the following is worthy of note:

A statement was made by Rey. J. E. Long, of Ithaca, Mich., and
printed in the Gratiot Journal, to the effect that “several weeks ago a
pair of quails flew up out of his garden. In making the turn about
the corner of the house, one of them missed its reckoning in some way,
and striking the house, fell dead. On examining its distended crop,
101 potato bugs were found, the little fellow’s breakfast, for the bugs
were yet alive and began to move about when brought to the fresh
air.”

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 8l

297. Dendragapus obscurus richardsonii (Doug!.).—Ricu-
ARDSON’s Dusky GROUSE.

‘Baird mentions ten specimens collected in western Nebraska in the month
of August’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Eastward through Wyoming and western South Da-
kota’’ (Bendire).

The last edition of the A. O. U. Check List gives the typical obscurus as
reaching “eastward to the Black Hills of South Dakota.”

Fic. 8.—Ruffed Grouse.

300. Bonasa umbellus (Linn.).—Rurrep GRovusE.

Weeping Water (T. A. Williams); ‘‘ Rare in Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Prob-
ably may be found in the western part of the state’’ (Taylor); ‘‘South through
southeastern Nebraska’’ (Bendire); ‘‘ West to the edge of the Great Plains’’
(Goss); South Omaha, Rockport—breeding (L. Skow); ‘‘rare resident, one
killed near Florence Nov. 4, 1894, and several killed near Bellevue winter of
1893” (I. S. Trostler).

305. Tympanuchus americanus (Feich.).—Prairis Hen; PIN-
NATED GROUSE.

Greater portion of the state, breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘enormously abundant in
Nebraska” (Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, abundant in the western part of the state,
but somewhat rare in eastern Nebraska’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ throughout Nebraska’”’
(Bendire); ‘‘ Prairies of the Mississippi valley (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A.
S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry
county—breeds (J. M. Bates); numerous localities in eastern half of state (D.
H. Talbot); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘ formerly a common
resident, and may still be met with occasionally in flocks of from four to fifteen
individuals’’ (I. S. Trostler).

82 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

307. Tympanuchus pallidicinctus Ridgw.—Lesser PRAIRIE
HEN.

Eastern border of Great Plains, from Nebraska(?), southwestern Kansas,
southwestern Missouri (?),and western part of Indian Territory to western Texas
(Ridgway); Vermillion, S. Dak.* (Agersborg); a number of years ago several
specimens were reported as having been seen in Cuming county near West
Point (L. Bruner); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates). Hon. E. K. Valentine,
of West Point, just recently told me that in the early fall, 1870, he killed two
of these birds, and that H. C. Plimton and Sam Greggory killed one each out of
a flock of about a dozen that was found on the west side of the Elkorn river in
Cuming county. In the winter of 1871-’72, while at home for holiday vaca-
tion, I saw one of these birds in a corn-field just adjoining the town of West
Point (L. Bruner). At about this time B. E. B. Kennedy, of Omaha, reports
the killing of several of these birds in Washington county by Henry Homan,
of Omaha. Still other birds were killed by George A. Hogland, near West
Point, in Cuming county, but on the east side of the Elkhorn river (Notes col-
lected by I. S. Trostler).

Fic. 9.—Prairie Hen; Pinnated Grouse.

308a. Pediocetes phasinellus columbianus (Ord).—CoLum-
BIAN SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.

Pine Ridge near Hay Springs (Wm. Waterman); Sioux county, Feb. 24,
1896—several specimens (W. D. Hunter, L. Skow).

3086. Pediocetes phasianellus campestris Ridgw.—PRAIRIE
OR COMMON SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.

West Point, Holt county, Harrison, Thedford—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ For-
merly very abundant in Nebraska’’ (Aughly); ‘‘ Resident, formerly abundant,
becoming rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North thruogh western Nebraska’’ (Bendire);
‘*Plains and prairies east of the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Hay Springs—
breeds (Wm. Waterman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Wood River,

* Specimen shot by Ed. Spatz, Mechling, Clay county.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 83

O'Neill (D. H. Talbot); ‘‘not seen in the vicinity of Omaha, but a fine male
taken in Cherry county June 25, 1895, where it is a common resident’” (I. S.
Trostler).

Fic. 10.—Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse.

309. Centrocercus urophasianus (Bonap.)—Sace GRovusE;
SaGE Cock.
Hat creek basin, Sioux county (L. Bruner); western Nebraska (Aughey);
“An occasional resident in western Nebraska” (Taylor); “through western
Nebraska”’ (Bendire); Indian creek, in Sioux county, Feb., 1896—not rare (El-
liott W. Brown).

Famity PHASIANIDZA,.—PHEASANTS, ETC.

310. Meleagris gallopavo Linn.—WiLp Turkey.

Rockport and Ft. Calhoun (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Formerly very abundant in Ne-
braska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Formerly an abundant resident, but now rapidly disap-
pearing’’ (Taylor); ‘‘It was not uncommon in southern South Dakota and
Nebraska within the last ten years’’ (Bendire); west along the timbered
streams to the edge of the Great Plains (Goss); Bellevue (L. Skow); ‘‘ formerly
found in southern part of Lincoln county, in canyons and along Medicine creek,
but none left’’ (M. K. Barnum).

OrvpER COLUMB2.—PiceEons.
Famity COLUMBIDZ.—PIGEons.

The various species of doves or pigeons are not, as a rule, thought
of as being especially harmful, yet repeated examinations of their
stomach contents would indicate that their food seldom, if ever, con-
sists of anything but grains and various kinds of seeds along with
other particles of vegetation. The good done by these birds as de-
stroyers of weed seeds more than balances for the harm done by them

as grain eaters.

84 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

315. Ectopistes migratorius (Linn.).—PAssENGER PIGEON.

West Point, Norfolk (L. Bruner); “Some years abundant in Nebraska’”’
(Aughey); “Summer resident, irregular, arrives in May and leaves in Septem-
ber’’ (Taylor); “ Deciduous forest regions of eastern North America ’’ (Bend-
ire); west to the great plains (Goss); Florence (L. Skow); “One killed out of
flock of fifteen or twenty by Hon. Edgar Howard, of Papillion, in woods five
miles south east of that place, in Sarpy county, Nov. 9, 1895,—also a flock of
fifteen was by Geo. W. Sabine, of Omaha, seen flying over his residence on
morning of Nov. 28, 1895” (I. S. Trostler); Cuming county (J. H. Mockett, Jr.).

Fie. 11.—Carolina Dove.

316. Zenaidura macroura (Linn.).—Mournina Dove; Caro-
LINA Dove.

Especially common over wooded portions of the state where it breeds (L.
Bruner); ‘‘ Abundant in Nebraska’’ (Aughey): ‘‘Summer resident, abundant,
arrives in April and leaves in September’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Extends over the entire
United States’’ (Bendire); ‘‘ The whole of temperate North America’’ (Goss);
Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—nesting (L. Skow); Peru, breeds,
winters (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Genoa (D.
H. Talbot); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘an abundant sum-
mer resident—breeds Apr. 1 to Sept. 1’’ (I. 8S. Trostler).

OrpER RAPTORES.—Birps or PREy.

In summing up the food-habits of the hawks and owls as found in
the state, I can do no better than to quote Dr. C. Hart Merriam’s
words used in his letter of transmittal to the Secretary of Agriculture
when submitting for publication a report on the hawks and owls of
the United States. He writes as follows :*

*“The Hawks and Owls of the United States in Their Relation to Agriculture,”
by A. K. Fisher, U. 8S. Dept. Agric., Div. Ornith. and Mam., Bul. No. 3.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS, 85

“The statements herein contained respecting the food of the various
hawks and owls are based on a critical examination, by scientific ex-
perts, of the actual contents of about 2,700 stomachs of these birds,
and consequently may be fairly regarded as a truthful showing of the
normal food of each species. ‘The result proves that a class of birds
commonly looked upon as enemies to the farmer, and indiscriminately
destroyed whenever occasion offers, really rank among his best friends,
and with few exceptions should be preserved and encouraged to take
up their abode in the neighborhood of his home. Only six of the
seventy-three species and subspecies of hawks and owls of the United
States are injurious. Of these, three are so extremely rare they need
hardly be considered, and another (the Fish Hawk) is only indirectly
injurious, leaving but two (the Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks)
that really need be taken into account as enemies to agriculture.
Omitting the six species that feed largely on poultry and game, 2,212
stomachs were examined, of which 56 per cent contained mice and
other small mammals, 27 per cent insects, and only 3} per cent poul-
try or game birds. In view of these facts the folly of offering boun-
ties for the destruction of hawks and owls, as has been done by sev-
eral states, becomes apparent, and the importance of an accurate
knowledge of the economic status of our common birds and mammals
is overwhelmingly demonstrated.”

Famity CATHARTIDZ.—AMERICAN VULTURES.

325. Cathartes aura (Linn.).—Turkey Buzzarp; TurKEY VUL-
TURE.

Omaha, West Point, Dismal river—breeding, Crawford, Lincoln (L. Bruner) ;

‘* Summer resident, common, arrive in April and leave in September’’ (Taylor);

‘‘ Nearly the whole of temperate and tropical America ”’ (Bendire); do. (Goss);

Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, breeds—common (Coleman); Cherry

county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘quite common
summer resident’’ (I. S. Trostler).

326. Catharista atrata (Bartram).—Biack VULTURE; CARRION

Crow.

“Casually to * * Kansas and South Dakota”’ (Bendire); ‘‘ Casually to
Maine, New York, Illinois, Dakota, etc.’’ (Goss) ; Wolf Creek, Nebr. (D. H.
Talbot).

The food-habits of both the Turkey Vulture and the Carrion Crow
or Black Vulture, are of such a nature that the destruction of these

86 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

birds should be prohibited. In fact, in many of the states this is done
by law. They live almost exclusively upon carrion or decomposing
animal matter, and in this manner aid in the prevention of diseases
that might result from the presence of such filth. They may, how-
ever, be the cause of indirectly spreading hog cholera where animals
that have died from this disease are left unburied or unburnt.

ety Ak
; fd Wy)
ee AE 7x:
DANET (V2 j

INAV VYe®

Fre. 12.—Black Vulture ; Carrion Crow.

Famity FALCONIDZ.—Faccons, Hawks, EaG ues, Erc.

327. Elanoides forficatus (Linn.)—SwaLLow-TaILepD Kure.

Omaha, West Point, Tekamah (L. Bruner); “I have seen this kite as far
north as Cedar county and as far west as the meridian of Ft. Kearney”
(Aughey); “Summer resident, common, arrive in May and leave in September”
(Taylor); north to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota (Goss); “ North regularly to
Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, etc.” (Fisher); Rockport—breeds (L. Skow); “rarely
seen—a pair reported to breed eighteen miles north of Omaha” (I. S. Trostler) ;
Fullerton, Nance county (C. E. Barker),

329. Ictinia mississippiensis ( Wi/s.).—Mussisstppr Kite.
“A flock of six or seven was seen October 12 at Omaha” (R. E. Dinges);
“North to South Carolina, southern Illinois, Kansas, ete.” (Goss); “Casually
to lowa and Wisconsin” (Fisher).

328. Elanus leucurus ( Viei//.)—WuirE-TAILED K1TE.
Lanham, Nebr., ‘‘one seen March 14, 1893’? (Amos Pyfer).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 87

331. Circus hudsonius (Linn.).— Mars Hawk.

Entire state—common—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Occasionally seen in Ne-
braska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common, may remain in the state dur-
ing the winter’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Nearly the entire North American continent’’
(Bendire); ‘‘The whole of North America’’ (Goss); ‘‘Inhabits the whole of
North America’’ (Fisher); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Cherry county—
breeds, also winters here (J. M. Bates); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a not
common summer resident—never observed earlier in spring than May 25” (I.
S. Trostler).

Fic. 13.—Swallow-tailed Kite.

332. Accipiter velox (Wils.).—SHaRp-sHINNED Hawk.

West Point, Omaha, South Bend, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, common,
may breed in northern Nebraska’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America in general”’
(Bendire); ‘‘ Nearly the whole of North America”? (Goss); ‘‘It breeds in
most, if not all, of the states’? (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, rare (G.
A. Coleman) ; Gage county (F. A. Colby) ; Omaha, ‘‘somewhat rare, permanent
resident, seen in April, May, and September (I. S. Trostler); Sioux county
(Mrs. Wallace).

333. Accipiter cooperi (Bonap.).—Coormr’s Hawk.

West Point, Hat Creek Basin—breeding, Lincoln (L. Bruner); common
(Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, common’? (Taylor); ‘‘ Whole of temperate North Amer-
ica’? (Bendire); ‘‘They breed in suitable localities throughout the United

88 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

States (Goss);” “Throughout the United States and the greater part of Mexico”
(Fisher) ; Omaha—nesting (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Cole-
man); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Omaha (F. J. Brezee); Gage county (F.
A. Colby); ‘‘common resident, except in coldest weather—breeds April 7-20”
(1. S. Trostler).

Fic. 14.—Marsh Hawk.

334. Accipiter atricapillus ( Wis.) —AMeErRIcCAN GosHAWK.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); “Present but rare on the prairies of Ne-
braska” (Aughey) ; “South in winter to the Middle States” (Bendire); “West

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 89

to and including the Rocky mountains ”’ (Goss); ‘ Northern and eastern North
America” (Fisher) ; Rockport, Florence (L. Skow); Lincoln (F. J. Brezee) ;
Sioux county, Feb. 24, 1896 (L. Skow).

334a. Accipiter atricapillus striatulus Ridgw.—W estERN Gos-
HAWK.

Florence, Nebr., 1889 (L. Skow).

Ba

Vs IRS \
SY, WAC Res ‘i RLAR
=— ay ee Oa Nx a Z,

Fie. 15.—Cooper’s Hawk.

337. Buteo borealis (Gmel.).—ReEp-TAILED Hawk.

Timbered portion of state, breeding (L. Bruner); ‘‘Common in Nebraska’’
(Aughey); ‘‘Found in the summer and fall, and may remain all winter’’
(Taylor); ‘‘West to border of Great Plains ’’ (Bendire); ‘‘ West to the Great
Plains’’ (Goss); do. (Fisher); Beatrice, De Witt—nesting (A. S. Pearse);
Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Gage county (F. A. Colby); common resident,
breeds April 1 to 20 (I. S. Trostler); Jamaica—breeding (R. E, Dinges).

7

90 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

337a. Buteo borealis kriderii Hoopes—Kriprr’s Hawk.

West Point, Lincoln, Tekamah (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Great plains of the United
States, from Minnesota to Texas’’ (Bendire); ‘‘ East casually to Illinois and
Iowa’’ (Goss); ‘‘Great Plains from Minnesota to Texas ’’ (Fisher); Omaha—
breeding (L. Skow) ; Omaha, ‘‘have twice taken eggs from a pair of very light
Red-tails that would probably be classified as Kriderii’’ (I. S. Trostler).

Fic. 16.—Goshawk.

3376. Buteo borealis calurus (Cass.).—WersTERN ReED-TAIL

Hawk.

Lincoln, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Baird mentions two specimens taken in
August, 1857’’ (Taylor); ‘‘casual east to Illinois’? (Bendire); ‘‘ East to Kan-
sas, casually to Illinois’’ (Goss); ‘‘Country west of the Rocky mountains’”’
(Fisher) ; Omaha (L. Skow); ‘‘this dark phase is occasionally seen in the vi-
cinity of Omaha”’ (I. 8. Trostler); Lincoln (Dr. F. L. Riser).

337d. Buteo borealis harlani (Avd.).—Harwan’s Hawk.
Lincoln, Omaha, West Point (L. Bruner); “ The records of the Normal Sci-
ence Society show two specimens killed in April” (Taylor); “ North to Kan-
sas, Iowa, and Illinois” (Bendire); “Casually to Iowa, Illinois, and Pennsyl-
vania” (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); “One killed on farm near Omaha and
mounted by L. Skow” (I. S. Trostler).

339. Buteo lineatus (Gmel.).—Rerp-sHoULDERED Hawk.
Omaha, Bellevue, Rulo (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Probably a common resident’’ (Tay-
lor); ‘‘West to Texas and the Great Plains’’ (Bendire); ‘‘ West to the edge of

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 91

the Great Plains’’ (Goss); ‘‘West to the Great Plains’? (Fisher); Omaha—
breeding (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘rarely seen” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln (A.
Eiche, Dr. F. L. Riser).

342. Buteo swainsoni Bonap.—Swatnson’s Hawk.
West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner) ; “ Rather abundant in the state ” (Aughey);
“A common summer resident and may remain in the state during the winter ”
(Taylor); “east to Wisconsin, Illinois, and Arkansas” (Bendire); do. (Goss) ;
“As far south as South Dakota and Nebraska it is a migratory species ” (Fisher) ;
Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); “ Resident, except in coldest weather, but not
commonly seen” (I. S. Trostler).

—— —=N
Fic. 17.—Red-shouldered Hawk.

343. Buteo latissimus (/Vi/s.).—Broab-wincep Hawk.

West Point, Omaha, Harrison, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rather common dur-
ing the fall along the bluffs of the Missouri’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to edge of Great
Plains’’ (Bendire); do. (Goss); ‘‘ East of the Great Plains”’ (Fisher); Omaha
—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, rare—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Omaha, summer
resident, rather rare—breeds in May”? (I. S. Trostler).

347a. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (mel.).—AMERI-
CAN ROUGH-LEGGED Hawk.

West Point, Oakland, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “Rare in southern Nebraska”
(Aughey); “Whole of North America” (Bendire); ‘The whole of North

92 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

America north of Mexico” (Goss); “In the west it extends far south in win-
ter” (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); “I have never observed this hawk in vicinity
of Omaha, but on June 27, 1895, saw a pair in Cherry county flying very low
in vicinity of a colony of striped ground squirrels” (I. 8. Trostler); Lincoln
(Dr. F. L. Riser).

2 sec eee
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8

348. Archibuteo ferrugineus (Licht.)—FrrruGinous Roucu-
LEG; FERRUGINOUS BUZZARD.

Omaha (L. Bruner}; ‘‘I have seen but one of these hawks in Nebraska’”’
(Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘east to and across the Great Plains’’
(Bendire); ‘‘ East into Iowa and casually to Illinois’? (Goss); ‘‘ Ranging to the
eastern border of the Great Plains’? (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); ‘‘not ob-
served in vicinity of Omaha, a common summer resident in Cherry county ’”’
(I. S. Trostler); Sioux county, Feb. 24,1896 (W. D. Hunter); Harrison—breed-
ing (E. H. Barbour).

349. Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.).—GoLDEN EAGLE.
West Point, Oakland, Decatur, Lincoln, ete. (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Resident, rare’
(Taylor); ‘‘Northern portions of northern hemisphere’’ {Bendire); do. (Goss);

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 93

do. (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Grand
Island (F. J. Brezee); Wood River (D. H. Talbot); ‘‘Straggler, one seen Sept.
21, 1895, in Sarpy county, breeds annually on Scott’s Bluff, Scott’s Bluff
county ’’ (I. S. Trostler); Sioux county, Feb. 19, 1896 (L. Bruner).

Fie. 19.—Ferruginous Rough-leg.
£ se s

352. Haliseetus leucocephalus (Linn.).—Batp Eacur; WHITE-
HEADED EAGLE.
South Bend, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Resident, somewhat common” (Tay-
lor); ‘‘Whole of North America” (Bendire); do. (Goss); do. (Fisher); Alliance
(O. Bowman); Rockford—breeding (A. S. Pearse); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry
county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Wood River (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A.
Colby); ‘‘accidental visitor, not common at North Platte’? (M. K. Barnum).

354a. Falco rusticolus gyrfalco (Linn.).—Gyrratcon; Mc-
FARLANE’S GYRFALCON.
Norfolk, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘An accidental winter visitant in Kansas’
(Goss).
355. Falco mexicanus Schleg.—PRaIRIE FALcoN.

West Point, Holt county (L. Bruner); “Only occasionally seen in Nebrask:
(Aughey); “Has been seen in the state in the summer and fall” (Taylor);

7?

94 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

“From eastern border of Great Plains to the Pacific” (Bendire); “ East to the
eastern border of Great Plains” (Goss); “ Eastern border of Great Plains to the
Pacific” (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); “ occasion-
ally seen during spring and fall, one killed near Bellevue, May 12, 1£94”? (I.
S. Trostler); Sarpy county (A. K. Fisher); Sioux county, Feb. 25, 1896, a pair
(W. D. Hunter, L. Skow).

SONGZ =
~ SS WES =

Fic. 20.—Prairie Falcon.

356. Falco peregrinus anatum (Bonap.).—Duck Hawk; Prr-
EGRINE FALCON.

West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Have seen this hawk but three times in the state’’
(Aughey); ‘‘ Not uncommon in the spring and fall’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Whole of Amer-
ica’’ (Bendire); do. (Goss); ‘‘Inhabits all of North America” (Fisher); Omaha
(L.. Skow).

357. Faleo columbarius Linn.—Picron Hawk.

Pine Ridge in Dawes and Sioux counties, West Point (lL. Bruner); “ Unfort-
unately too abundant in Nebraska” (Aughey); “Abundant during spring and
fall” (Taylor); “The whole of North America” (Bendire); do. (Goss); “ In-
habits the whole of North America” (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry
county (J. M. Bates).

358. Falco richardsonii Ridgw.—KicHArpson’s MERLIN.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); “ Rather common in Nebraska, breeds here”’
(Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, common’’ (Taylor); ‘‘From the Mississippi river to

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 95

the Pacific coast’’ (Bendire); do. (Goss); ‘‘Inhabits the interior of North
America’? (Fisher).

360. Falco sparverius Linn.—American Sparrow Hawk.

Omaha, Lincoln, West Point, Holt county, ete. (L. Bruner) ; breeds; ‘‘ Very
abundant and breeds here (Aughey); ‘‘ Abundant during spring, summer,
and fall, and probably during the winter’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Whole of temperate

= "S

SK

North America ’’ (Bendire); do. (Goss.); ‘“‘ Entire temperate North America’’
(Fisher) ; Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru,
common summer resident (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M.
Bates); Ponca (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘common during
migrations, a few remain to breed’? (I. S. Trostler).

364. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.).—OspREY; FisH-

HAwkK.

West Point, Lyons, South Bend, Lincoln, etc. (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Temperate
and tropical America in general” (Bendire); ‘“ North America in general ”
(Goss); tropical and temperate America (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); Omaha
(F. J. Brezes); Omaha, “occasionally seen during spring and fall’”’ (I. S.

Trostler).

96 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Famity STRIGIDZ.—Barn Ow .s.

365. Strix pratinicola Bonap.—AmerIcAN Barn Ow; Monkey-
FACED OWL.

West Point, Gilmore, Lincoln, Scribner (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Only occasionally
found in Nebraska, but breeds here’’ (Aughey); breeding in hole in ground
in Saline county, breeding in Lancaster county (R. E. Dinges) ; ‘‘An occasional
summer resident’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ United States generally ’’ (Bendire); do. (Goss);
‘*Reaches southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc.’’ (Fisher); Beatrice (A. 8S.
Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Gage
county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘ occasionally seen in late spring and summer, a set of
eggs taken June 12, 1891, at Hebron, Thayer county, others known to have
bred in wolf den in Sarpy county ”’ (I. S. Trostler).

Ara apa
bead if / hs
whe

j
é

4
AG

Fie. 22.—Barn Owl.

Famity BUBONIDZ.—Hornep Ow,s, ETc.

366. Asio wilsonius (Jess.).—AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL.
West Point, Lincoln, Gilmore (L. Bruner); rare (Aughey); ‘* Occasionally
found in summer and fall’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Whole of temperate North America’’
(Bendire) ; do. (Goss); do. (Fisher); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Cherry
county (J. M. Bates); Wood River, Genoa, Jackson (D. H. Talbot); Omaha,
‘‘resident, not common—breeds’”’ (I. S. Trostler).

367. Asio accipitrinus (Pall.).—SHORT-EARED OWL.
West Point, Omaha, Lyons, Holt county, Gilmore, Lincoln, etc., breeding,
Dodge county in April (L. Bruner) ; ‘‘ This owl is frequently seen on the bor-
ders of the Missouri bottoms in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, rare ’’

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS, 97

(Taylor); ‘‘ Entire western hemisphere ’’ (Bendire); ‘‘ The entire continent of
America ’’ (Goss); ‘‘ Greater part of both hemispheres ’’ (Fisher); Beatrice (A.
S. Pearse); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Wood River, Elm
Creek, Dakota City (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘ resident,
rare, seen in vicinity of Omaha in summer and winter’’ (I. S. Trostler).

Fig. 23.—Short-eared Owl.

368. Syrnium nebulosum (/rst.).—BARRED OWES ak

West Point, Tekamah, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘* Very seldom seen in Ne-
praska’’? (Aughey); ‘Rarely seen in the state, but may be a constant resi-
dent’? (Taylor); ‘‘ West to eastern Nebraska and Kansas ” (Bendire); ‘‘I have
never met with them west of Kansas’’ (Goss); ‘‘ Westward to Manitoba, Da-
kota, Kansas, and Texas’’ (Fisher); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Lincoln—
breeding (A. Cook); Gage county (F, A. Colby); Omaha, ‘resident, not rare—
breeds in March ”’ (I. S. Trostler).

98 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

370. Scotiaptex cinerium (Gmel.).—Great Gray OwL.

Long Pine, Neb.—specimen in a saloon (J. M. Bates); Omaha, “rare winter
resident, one seen Dec. 17, 1893, in county poor farm woods” (I. S. Trostler).

371. Nyctala tergmalmi richardsoni (Bonap.).—RicHARpson’s

SAW-WHET OwL.

Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 10, 1892 (L. Bruner); ‘‘to northern United States in
winter ’’ (Bendire).

Fic. 24.—Barred Owl.

372. Nyctala acadica (Gme/.).—Saw-wHeET OWL.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “rarely south of 40° in eastern
portions” (Bendire); “The United States and southern British possessions,
from Atlantic to the Pacific” (Goss); “ Ranging south to about the thirty-ninth
parallel in the east” (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates);
Sioux county, Feb. 22, 1896, heard at night (W. D. Hunter, L. Skow).

373. Megascops asio (Linn.).—Screecn Ow.

West Point, Omaha, Rockport, Lincoln, ete—breeds (L. Bruner): ‘‘ Often
met with in the wooded portions of Nebraska, where it breeds’’ (Aughey);
‘*Resident, abundant’’ (Taylor); ‘‘west to the Great Plains’’ (Bendire);
‘“Temperate eastern North America’’ (Goss); ‘‘West to the Great Plains’’
(Fisher); Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L. Show); Da-
kota City (D. H. Talbot); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘resident, not

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS 99

common, breeds in April’’ (I. S. Trostler); Sioux county, Feb. 25, 1896 (L.
Skow, W. D. Hunter).

373e. Megascops asio maxwelliz (Ridgw.).—Rocky Mountain
SCREECH OWL.

‘**Tt is likely to be found in the extreme northwestern parts of Nebraska ”’
(Bendire); ‘‘From Colorado to eastern Montana”’ (Fisher).

Fie. 25.—Great Gray Owl.

375, Bubo virginianus (Gmel.)—Grear Hornep Owt.

West Point, Tekamah, Bellevue, Lincoln, Rockport, etc.—breeds (L. Bruner);
Dakota county (Aughey); ‘‘ Not common during the spring, summer, and fall,
and probably remains during the winter (Taylor); ‘‘ Eastern North America”’
(Bendire); ‘‘ West to the edge of the Great Plains’’ (Goss); ‘‘ Ranges from
Labrador and the eastern United States south through eastern Mexico”’
(Fisher); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Cherry county—one form (J. M. Bates);
Dakota City, Elk Creek (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha,
‘*resident, not common, usually one pair in each piece of heavy timber—breed
in latter part of February and early March” (I. S. Trostler).

100 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

375a. Bubo virginianus subarcticus (Hoy).— WrsTERN HorneD
OwL.
West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘eastward across the Great Plains’’ (Bendire);
‘* East across the Great Plains to western Texas and western Manitoba’’ (Goss);
do. (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Sioux county,
Feb. 26, 1896, several seen but not taken (W. D. Hunter, L. Skow).

Fic. 26.—Saw-whet Owl.
>

375+. Bubo virginianus arcticus (Swains.).—Arctic Hornep
OWL.

West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘South in winter to Manitoba and the mountains
of Dakota and Montana’’ (Fisher); Florence (lL. Skow).

375¢c. Bubo virginianus saturatus Ridgw.—Dusky Hornep

OwL.
Near Omaha—accidental (?) (L. Skow).

376. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.).—Snowy Ow t.

Omaha, Papillion, West Point, Oakland, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Frequently
seen in winter and occasionally in late autumn”’ (Aughey); ‘‘A common win-
ter visitant” (Taylor); ‘‘Southward in winter * * * almost across the
United States’’ (Bendire); ‘‘ Northern portion of the northern hemisphere, mi-
grating south in winter’’ (Goss); ‘‘Sometimes common as far south as the for-
tieth parallel ’’ (Fisher); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates);
Wakefield (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘not rare as a winter
resident ’’ (I. S. Trostler).

377a. Surnia ulula caparoch (Miil/.).—American Hawk Ow .
Raymond, Nebr., Nov., 1891 (E. R. Mockett); once near Omaha (?) (L. Skow).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 101

378. Speotyto cunicularia hypogzea (Bonap.).—Burrowina
OwL.

Omaha, Lincoln, West Point, Crawford, Sidney, etc.—breeds (L. Bruner);
“Abundant in central and western Nebraska, and sparingly present almost to
the Missouri” (Aughey); “Abundant during spring, summer, and fall, and
probably remains during the winter” (Taylor); “east throughout the Great

Fic. 27.—Great Horned Owl.

Plains” (Bendire); “East to middle Texas and Nebraska” (Goss); “ East to
Dakota, Nebraska, etc.” (Fisher) Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S. Pearse);
Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Genoa
(D. H. Talbot); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); “none in the vicinity of
Omaha within the past twelve years—formerly a small colony about ten miles
west” (I. S. Trostler); Sioux county in Hat creek valley (Mr. Plunkett).

102 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Fic, 29.—Burrowing Owl.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 103

Orper PSITTACI.—Parrorts, Macaws, Paroquets, ETc.

Famity PSITTACIDZ.—Parr>ts AND PAROQUETS.

382. Conurus carolinensis (Linn.).—CaroLina PAROQUET.
Mouth of Platte river (Coues, Birds of Northwest); not now reaching the
state, “Formerly abundant, even in eastern Nebraska, now rare, if found in the
state ’’ (Taylor); “ Regularly to Ohio, Illinois, and southern Nebraska” (Goss).

3 Se =,
SS eee

Fie. 30.—Carolina Paroquet.

Orver COCCY GES.—Cuckoos, Ere.
Famity CUCULIDZ,—Cuckoos.

The cuckoos are among the few birds that habitually feed upon
hairy caterpillars, such as the various “ tent-making” species. They
also destroy large numbers of other caterpillars, and do not object to
beetles and other insects which they find among the foliage of trees.
Although shy birds they are frequently seen in cities, where they do
their share in protecting the trees from the ravages of insect pests.

104 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

387. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.).— YELLOW-BILLED Cuckoo.
Omaha, Blair, West Point, Lincolna—breeds (L. Bruner); “ More frequently
seen in Nebraska than the last one (erythropthalmus)” (Aughey); “Summer
resident, arrives in May and leaves in September ” (Taylor); “ West to eastern
Mexico and edge of Great Plains” (Goss); Beatrice—nesting (A. S. Pearse);
Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry
county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); “common
summer resident, arrives May 1 to 10” (I. S. Trostler).

388. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wiis.). — BLAcK-BILLED
Cuckoo.

West Point, Lincoln, Omaha—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘only occasionally met
in this state’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, somewhat rare, arrives in May
and leaves in September’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the Rocky mountains ’’ (Goss);
Omaba—nesting (L. Skow); ‘‘summer resident, not so common as the preced-
ing’’ (I. 8. Trostler).

Fie. 31.—Blaeck-billed Cuckoo.

Famity ALCEDINIDZ.,— KIncrisHErs.

390. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.).—BrLTEpD KINGFISHER.

West Point, Lyons, Norfolk, Omaha, Lincoln, South Bend, ete.—breeds
(L. Bruner); “Frequently seen in Nebraska’ (Aughey); “A very common
summer resident” (Taylor); “ The whole of North America ” (Goss); Beatrice,
De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds
(G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county (F. A.
Colby); “summer resident, quite common, sometimes seen in midwinter”
(I. 8S. Trostler).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 105

Fic. 32.—Belted Kingfisher.

OrpER PICI.—Wooprrckerrs, WRYNECKS, ETC.

FAMILY PLUME <Woonrnciene:

Taking the woodpeckers as a family, there are but few persons but
who will readily admit that these birds are a very useful group.
Feeding as many, in fact most of them, do, upon the larve of
wood-boring insects, they can readily do much greater good for the
actual number destroyed in comparison with others that feed upon the
foliage of trees. Not unfrequently will a single borer kill an entire
tree if left to itself, while hundreds of foliage-feeding caterpillars of
the same size make but litttle effect upon the appearance, to say noth-
ing of the health of it.

Separately, the different species of woodpeckers vary much in habits
and the nature of food taken, therefore it would be quite difficult to
summarize as to the group with respect to their relation to agriculture.
Several years ago the United States Department of Agriculture under-
took the study of these birds from this standpoint, with the result, so
far as made public, at least, of showing that all of the species and sub-
species embraced in the study—nineteen—with but a single exception,

8

106 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

possibly, are beneficial. The Downy Woodpecker seems to possess the
fewest traits that might count against it, while the Yellow-bellied
species has been found to do much harm at times in “sap-sucking.”
The Flicker and Red-headed Woodpecker both eat fruit and more or
less grain, and most of the other species at times eat various propor-
tions of different wild seeds and berries.

Fie. 33.—Hairy Woodpecker.

Mr. F. E. L. Beal, assistant in the Division of Ornithology and
Mammology of the United States Department of Agriculture, in sum-
ming up the results obtained from the examination of 679 stomachs
of these birds, writes as follows :*

‘In reviewing the results of these investigations and comparing one

* See Bull. No. 7, Div. Ornith. & Mamolog., p. 9.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 107

species with another, without losing sight of the fact that comparative
good is not necessarily positive good, it appears that of seven species
considered the Downy Woodpecker is the most beneficial.” He then
goes on to give the food habits based on contents of the stomachs of our
most common species. ‘Judged by the results of the stomach exami-
nations of the Downy and Hairy Woodpecker and Flicker it would be
hard to find three other species of our common birds with fewer harm-
ful qualities.”

392. Campephilus principalis (Linn.).—Ivory-BILLED Woop-
PECKER.

Reported as rare in vicinity of Peru (G. A. Coleman).

393. Dryobates villosus (Linn.).— Harry WoopPEcKER.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, ete., breeding at West Point (L. Bruner);
“Resident, common ”’ (Taylor); ‘‘Atlantic coast to near the base of the Rocky
mountains’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L.
Skow); Peru—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (?) (J. M.
Bates); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a not uncommon resident—-breeds (I. S.
Trostler).

393a. Dryobates villosus leucomelas (Bodd.).—NorTHERN
Hatry WooppPEcKeEr.

Omaha (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘a rather rare winter visitor’’ (I. S. Trostler).

393c. Dryobates villosus harrisii (Avd.)—Harris’s Woop-
PECKER. :

West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant in the woody portions’? (Aughey);

‘‘Given by Baird as taken in Nebraska”’ (Taylor); Sioux county, Dec.,

1895 (L. Bruner, D. A. Haggard); northeastern Nebraska, common, breeds.
(Dr. Agersborg); Sioux county, Feb. 20, 25,1896 (W. D. Hunter, L. Skow).

394. Dryobates pubescens (Linn.).—Downy WoopDPECKER.

West Point, Dakota City, Blair, Omaha, Lincoln, etc.—breeds (L. Bruner) ;
‘frequently seen among the timber of river bottoms ”” (Aughey) ; ‘‘ Common
during spring, summer, and fall, probably a constant resident ’’ (Taylor);
‘Northern North America’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S.
Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, breeds —not common (G. A. Cole-
man); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a common resident in vicinity of Omaha’’
(I. S. Trostler).

394a. Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii (Aud.).—GAIRDNER’S
WOODPECKER.

Omaha (L. Skow); Sioux county, Feb. 19, 1396 (L. Bruner).
This may possibly be the form 394}, described by Batchelder in Auk, VI,
253. I do not happen to have access to this paper.

108 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

400. Picoides arcticus (Swains.).—Arcric THREE-ToED Woop-
PECKER.

Omaha (F. J. Brezee); Dakota City (Wallace Bruner); Omaha, ‘‘a rare
winter visitant, one taken Dec. 15, 1895’ (I. S. Trostler).

eac
©

3

=

Bi
AV:
if Kl
- Win

ii

Fic. 34.—Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.

402. Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.).—YELLOW-BELLIED Woop-
PECKER; YELLOW-BELLIED SAP-SUCKER.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘Rather common * * in eastern Ne-

braska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Common during spring, summer, and fall’’ (Taylor);

“‘North and east of the Rocky mountain slope’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeding (L.

Skow); Peru, rare—probably breeds (G. A. Coleman); Omaha, ‘‘ not rare as a
summer resident—breeds late in May ’”’ (I. S. Trostler).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 109

405. Ceophleus pileatus (Linn.).—PiLEATED WoopPEcKeEr.
Rockport, Tekamah (L. Bruner); ‘‘ In the heavily wooded districts of North
America at large’’ (Goss); Rockport (L. Skow); ‘‘ Probably only a winter
visitor in the heavy timber along the Missouri river’’ (Dr. Agersborg); Omaha,
‘¢a very rare straggler, one seen May 20, 1895’ (I. S. Trostler).

\ Fa Se
\ wh
\\ a 2)

\\y

\

Fic. 35.—Pileated Woodpecker.

406. Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linn.). — Rep-HEADED

WooDPECKER.
Omaha, West Point, Lincoln, Sioux county, etc.—breeds (L. Bruner);
‘‘ wherever there is timber enough’? (Aughey); ‘‘Common during spring,

summer, and fall’? (Taylor); ‘‘ Westward to within the Rocky mountains ”’
(Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—nesting (A. S. Pearse); Omaba—breeding (L.

110 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J.
M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘common resident, returning
southward in very cold weather”’ (I. S. Trostler).

D

HI Wp
ey

Y OM !
iT

Ay,

Fic. 36.—Red-headed Woodpecker.

The Red-headed Woodpecker, according to the results obtained
from examinations of stomach contents of various birds belonging to
this family, is a trifle more inclined to eat fruits of the orchard than
are its allies. It is said to partake “rather freely of cultivated va-
rieties, showing some preference for the larger ones, such as apples.”
It also feeds upon corn and beechnuts in winter where these are to be
had. To counteract these injuries it eats large numbers of grasshop-
pers and other injurious insects.

408. Melanerpes torqatus ( Wils.).—Lewis’s WoopPECKER.

Sioux county (L. Bruner); ‘‘Given by Baird as takenin August and March”?
(Taylor); ‘‘ East to the Black hills and western Texas ’’ (Goss); Cherry county
(J. M. Bates),

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 5 fa by |

409. Melanerpes carolinus (Linn.).— RED-BELLIED Woop-
PECKER.

West Point, Omaha, Harrison (L. Bruner); ‘‘Rather common in spots in
southern Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, not uncommon’? (Taylor) ‘‘ West
to eastern base of the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Lincoln
(F. J. Brezee); ‘‘ Not commonly seen—breeds in Sarpy county’’ (I. S. Trost-
ler).

412. Colaptes auratus (Linn.).—FLicKkeR; YELLOW-SHAFTED
FLICKER.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Pine Ridge, Holt county (L. Bruner); breeds;
“*Wooded portions of Nebraska—breeds’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Abundant during
spring, summer, and fall, and probably a constant resident’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West
to the eastern slopes of the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A.
S. Pearse); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates);
Wood River, Newcastle, Genoa, O’Neill (D. H. Talbot); Gage county—breeds
(F. A. Colby); “a common resident—becoming scarcer and being replaced by
the Red-shafted Flicker” (I.S. Trostler); Sioux county, Feb. 25, 1896 (L. Skow).

Fic. 37.—Flicker.

The Flicker is one of our most common woodpeckers in Nebraska,
and does much towards keeping down a number of different kinds of
insects. It is very fond of, in fact it is partial to, ants as a diet and

112 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

this element forms almost half of its entire food-supply during the
year. It also occasionally feeds upon the Chinch-bug, as can be at-
tested by the fact that the stomach of a specimen killed near Lincoln
contained in the vicinity of 1,000 of these bugs. It is also a fruit
eater to the extent of about one-quarter of its entire bill of fare, but
nature, not man, furnishes the supply. It takes the wild kinds in
preference to those that are cultivated.

413. Colaptes cafer (Gmel.).—ReEb-sHAFTED FLICKER.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘is not abundant’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Found in
the summer and late fall’? (Taylor); ‘‘ Western United States”’ (Goss); De
Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha (L.Skow), Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates) ;
Lincoln (D. A. Haggard); Wood River, Genoa, St. Edward (D. H. Talbot);
‘‘formerly rare but gradually becoming more common—breeds same time as
preceding’’ (I. S. Trostler).

OrpER MACROCHIRES.—GoatsuckeErs, SwIFTs, ETC.
Famity CAPRIMULGIDZ,.—GoatsuckeErs, ETc.

417. Antrostomus vociferus ( Wils.)— W HIPPooRWILL. :
West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Thomas county (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Oceasionally
found in eastern Nebraska, where it breeds’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident,
not uncommon’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Eastern United States to the plains’’ (Goss);
Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry
county—perhaps breeds (J. M. Bates); ‘‘a common summer resident—breeds
May 16 to July 1”’ (I. S. Trostler).

418. Phalenoptilus nuttalii (Aud.).—PoorwIL1.
Crawford, Harrison (L. Bruner); “ Rather in central and western Nebraska
in the vicinity of timber” (Aughey); ‘Summer resident, common” (Taylor);
“East into Iowa and Missouri ” (Goss).

420. Chordeiles virginianus ((mel.).—NIGHTHAWK.

West Point, Omaha, Holt county, Lincoln, ete. —breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Com-
mon in Nebraska, and breeds here’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common ’’
(Taylor); ‘‘ West to edge of Great Plains’? (Goss) ; Beatrice, De Witt (A. S._
Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman);
Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘common summer resident—breeds in latter
May and early June”? (I. 8. Trostler).

420a. Chordeiles virginianus henryi (Cass.).— WrEsTERN
NIGHTHAWK.

Holt county, Harrison, Thedford—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Occasionally strag-
gling east into Illinois’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Cherry county—

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 113

breeds (J. M. Bates); North Platte, ‘‘summer resident, common’”’ (M. K.
Barnum); Omaha, one killed Aug. 1, 1892, from flock seen in evening (I. S.
Trostler).

Famity MICROPODIDZ.—SwIrts.

423. Cheetura pelagica (Linn.).—CHIMNEY SwIFT.

Omaha, West Point, Lincoln—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘“‘Abundant in eastern
Nebraska ’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common, arrive in May ”’ (Tay-
lor); ‘‘ West to the edge of the plains’’ (Goss); Beatrice—nesting (A. S.
Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman);
Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘common summer resident, breeds in Omaha in
large numbers”? (I. 8. Trostler).

425. Aeronautes melanoleucus (Paird.) — WHITE-THROATED
Rock SwIrt.

Harrison, Crawford—breeds (L. Bruner).

Famity TROCHILID %.—HvummineGesirps.

428. Trochilus colubris Linn.—RuByY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); Lincoln, June (Aughey); ‘‘Sum-
mer resident, common (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the high central plains ’’ (Goss) ;
Omaha—nesting (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); ‘‘not un-
common in residence portions of Omaha, where it nests among vines on

y porches, etc.’’ (I. S. Trostler).

432. Selasphorus platycercus (Swains.).—Broap-TaILEp Hum-

MINGBIRD.

Cheyenne, Wyo.—common (Allen, Coues); Black Hills—quite common (C.
H. Holden); several specimens, supposed to be this bird, were seen on Pine
Ridge, Sioux, and Dawes counties in the summer of 1891 (L. Bruner).

OrpER PASSERES.—Percuine Birps.
Famity TYRANNIDZ.—Tyrant FLYCATCHERS.

The various species of flycatchers, as the name implies, feed upon
insects which they capture for the most part while on the wing. Flies
and allied insects are quite prominent on the bill-of-fare; but these by
no means are the only kinds of insects destroyed by them. Many a
luckless locust, butterfly, moth or even beetle is snapped up and de-
voured by the different species of the family.

The “Bee-bird,” or Kingbird as it is more frequently called, some
times even catches bees. These latter, however, consist largely of

114 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

drones, and hence comparatively little harm is done. If worker bees
should be persistently destroyed by some individual bird that develops
an abnormal appetite, he should be killed.

443. Milvulus forficatus (Gmel.).—Scissor-TAILED FLYCATCHER.

Once near Lincoln, fall of 1872 (L. Bruner); ‘‘Accidental * * * Mani-
toba, and even at York Factory Hudson’s Bay Territory ’’ (Goss).

444. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.).— KineBrrp; BEE-BIRD.

All parts of state, breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant as far west as the middle
of Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, abundant, arrive in April and
May, leave in September’’ (Taylor); ‘‘Chiefly east cf the Rocky mountains”’
(Goss) ; Beatrice, De Witt-—nesting (A. 8. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow);
Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates);
Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); Omaha, common summer resident, arrives
April 20 to May 12, breeds May 16 to 30, departs about September 15” (I. S.
Trostler).

447. Tyrannus verticalis Say— Arkansas FLYCATCHER.

West Point, Sidney, Ft. Robinson. Lincoln, etc., breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ This
bird abounds along the wooded streams in southwestern Nebraska ’’ (Aughey);
“‘Summer resident, common, arrives in May’’ (Taylor); “ Western United
States, east to Missouri and western Minnesota’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow);
Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); ‘‘a scarce summer visitor, one seen
September, 1895’’ (I. S. Trostler). .

452. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.).—GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER.
West Point (L. Bruner); southeastern portion of state (Aughey); “Summer
resident, common” (Taylor); “ East [west?] to the edge of the Great Plains”
(Goss); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman);
Lincoln (D. A. Haggard); “a not rare summer resident—breeds in June” (I.

S. Trostler).

456. Sayornis phebe (Lath.).—Pua@sBe; PEWEE.

Omaha, Lincoln, West Point (L. Bruner); breeds, along the Missouri
(Aughey); “Summer resident, common” (Taylor); “ West to eastern Colorado
and western Texas” (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S. Pearse);
Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common, breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry
county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); “a com-
mon summer resident, earliest seen 15th—breed in late April, depart in Septem-
ber’’ (I. S. Trostler).

457. Sayornis saya (Bonap.).—Say’s PHa@seE.

Lincoln (L. Bruner) “ Have only observed it in central and western Ne-
braska” (Aughey); “Abundant in western Nebraska, where it breeds” (Taylor) ;
“East to Dakota, south through middle Kansas” (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L.
Skow); “Summer resident, common,” North Platte (M. K. Barnum).

115

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS.

459. Contopus borealis (Swains.).—OLIVE-sIDED FLYCATCHER.
Lincoln (L. Bruner); “only occasionally met it in Nebraska” (Aughey) ;
“Summer resident, rare” (Taylor); ‘“‘The whole of northern North America”

(Goss).

461. Contopus virens (Linn.).—Woop PEWEE.
Lincoln, Weeping Water, Nebraska City (L. Bruner); eastern Nebraska

(Aughey); “Summer resident, common” (Taylor) “West to edge of Great
Plains” (Goss); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A.
Coleman); Omaha, “a not common summer resident, breeds” (I. S. Trostler).

462. Contopus richardsonii (Swains.)— WrstERN Woop PEWEE.
Sioux county, Dismal river (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Frequently seen wherever there is
woodland or timber-skirted streams in western Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Given

by Bayard and Aughey as a summer resident in the western part of the state ’’
(Taylor); ‘‘ East to western Nebraska and Texas ’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L.

Skow).
463. Empidonax flaviventris Baird.—Yrtiow-BeLiiep Fiy-

CATCHER.
Lincoln, West Point (L. Bruner); sparingly in eastern Nebraska (Aughey).

Fic. 88.—Acadian Flycatcher.

465. Empidonax virescens ( Vieill.). —GREEN-CRESTED F'Ly-

CATCHER; ACADIAN I'LYCATCHER.
West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘ West into Nebraska and middle Texas’’ (Goss);

Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); ‘‘a common summer resident, breeds in June

and departs in September’? (I. S. Trostler. )
466a. Empidonax traillii (Aud.)—Tratii’s FirycaTcuer.
Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “most abundant of the two [forms]” (Aughey);
“ Migratory, rare, has been seen in the western part of the state in August ” (Tay-

116 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

lor); ‘ Eastern North America, to the plains ” (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow);
Peru, rare—may breed (G. A. Coleman); Omaha, “a common summer resi-
dent” (I. S. Trostler).

467. Empidonax minimus Saird.—Leasr FLYCATCHER.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); “ Rather common in Nebraska, and occa-
sionally breeds in northeastern portion of the state” (Aughey); “ Migratory,
common; summer resident, occasional” (Taylor); “ West to the Yellowstone
river and base of Rocky mountains in Colorado” (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L.
Skow); “a rare summer visitor, one taken Aug. 2, 1892” (I. S. Trostler).

Famity ALAUDIDZ,—Larks.

474. Otocoris alpestris (Linn.)—Hornep LARK; SHorE Lark.

West Point, Lincoln, Omaha, etc. (L. Bruner); “A winter resident in Kan-
sas and Dakota, and probably Nebraska” (Taylor); Covington, Nebr. (D. H.
Talbot).

474a. Otocoris alpestris leucolema (Coves).—PALiip Hornep
Lark; WHITE-THROATED HorNED LARK.
West Point (L. Bruner); Lincoln (Aughey); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow);

Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Lincoln (F. J. Brezee, D. A. Haggard);
Omaha, abundant resident—breeds (I. S. Trostler).

474). Otocoris alpestris praticola Hensh.—Pratriz Hornep
LARK.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Some seasons quite
abundant in eastern Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Common, probably a resident ”’
(Taylor); ‘‘ West to central Dakota and Kansas’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt
(A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Perua—breeds, common (G. A. Cole-
man); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘an abundant resident,
found breeding March 23 to July 20”’ (I. S. Trostler).

474c. Otocoris alpestris arenicola Hensh.—Desert Hornep
LARK.

Hat creek basin, Sidney (L. Bruner); “ Resident, common” (Taylor); “ Resi-

dent in the western to middle portion of the state ’””—Kansas (Goss); Omaha—

breeds (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Sioux county, Feb.
18 to 26, very numerous (L. Bruner, W. D. Hunter, L. Skow).

‘Famity CORVIDZ,—Crows, Jays, MAGPIES, ETC.

One should be unprejudiced in order to write a fair biography of
even a bird, or group of birds. To say that I am without such preju-
dice with reference to some of the members of the family of birds now
under consideration, would be a falsehood. Still, I shall endeavor to

117

NEBRASKA BIRDS.

NOTES ON

SOME

"MOIQ, MOUIMIOQ— "6g *

oly

118 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

give as unbiased testimony as possible with reference to their food-
habits at least, and let the reader judge for himself as to what would
be the proper treatment for these birds.

Taking the family as a whole, it is made up of birds like the crows,
ravens, magpies, jays, nut-crackers, camp-robbers, ete., many of which
have unenviable reputations at least if they are not really as bad as
we are sometimes requested to believe they are.

The crows, ravens, magpies, and immediate relatives are what might
be termed “ omnivorous” in food-habit—eating everything that comes
their way. The crows, however, have been shown to feed largely upon
insects, which in a great measure, at least, offsets the harm done in
other directions. They also feed upon various substances, the re-
moval of which is for the general good.

The Raven is too rare a bird in this state to be taken into considera-
tion in respect to food-habit, and the Magpie certainly can be put out
of the question of doing any possible harm for the same reason. This
leaves then to be considered, the jays, of which we seem to have six
or seven distinct kinds; but only two of these are at allcommon. The
Blue Jay is found over the entire state, and is familiar to everybody.
The second species is found only in the western and northwestern por-
tions among the pine forests, and is known as the Pifion Jay or Camp
Robber—the latter name not very flattering to the bird I must confess,

For a more explicit account of each the reader is referred to the dif-
ferent species recorded below.

475. Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.).—AMeERICAN MacpIie.
. West Point, Norfolk, Harrison—breeds latter locality (L. Bruner); ‘‘Occa-
sional in northern and more common in western Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Fall
and winter visitant, somewhat rare’’ (Taylor); summer resident (L. E. Hicks);
‘* East to the edge of the plains’’ (Gass); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates);
Cherry county, breeding (I. S. Trostler).

477. Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.).—BLuE Jay.

Throughout state—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Comparatively few in Nebraska’’
(Aughey); ‘‘Resident, abundant” (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the Great Plains”
(Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Cherry
county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a com-
mon resident, breeds May 1 to June 15” (I. 8. Trostler).

478c. Cyanocitta stelleri annectens (Baird ).—BLAack-HEADED
JAY.
Sioux county, April, 1891 (L. Bruner). -

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 119

} fy, f glace

Fic. 40.—Blue Jay.

120 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

In writing about the Long-crested Jay, Dr. Elliott Coues says :*
“All jays make their share of noise in the world; they fret and scold
about trifles, quarrel over anything, and keep everything in a ferment
when they are about. The particular kind we are now talking about
is nowise behind his fellows in these respects—a stranger to modesty
and forbearance and the many gentle qualities that charm us in some
little birds and endear them to us; he is a regular fillibuster, ready
- for any sort of adventure that promises sport or spoil, even if spiced
with danger. Sometimes he prowls about alone, but oftener has a
band of choice spirits with him, who keep each other in countenance
(for our jay is a coward at heart, like other bullies), and share the
plunder on the usual terms in such cases, of each one taking all he can
get. Once I had a chance of seeing a band of these guerillas on a
raid; they went at it in good style, but came off very badly, indeed.
A vagabond troop made a descent upon a bush-clump, where, proba-
bly, they expected to find eggs to suck, or at any rate a chance for
mischief and amusement. To their intense joy they surprised a little
owl quietly digesting his grasshoppers, with both eyes shut. Here
was a lark! and a chance to wipe out a part of the score that jays keep
against owls for injuries received time out of mind. In the tumult
that ensued the little birds scurried off, the woodpeckers overhead
stopped tapping to look on, and a snake that was basking in a sunny
spot concluded to crawl into his hole. The jays lunged furiously at
their enemy, who sat helpless, bewildered by the sudden onslaught,
trying to look as big as possible, with his wings set for bucklers and
his bill snapping; meanwhile twisting his head till I thought he would
wring it off trying to look all ways at once. The jays, emboldened by
partial success, grew more impudent, till their victim made a break
through their ranks and flapped into the heart of a neighboring juni-
per, hoping to be protected by the tough, thick foliage. The jays
went trooping after, and I hardly know how the fight would have
ended had I not thought it time to take a hand in the game myself.
I secured the owl first, * * * and then shot four of the jays
before they made up their minds to be off.”
“Tt is difficult to describe the notes of this jay, he is such a gar-
rulous creature and has such a variety of outcries. He ordinarily
screams at the top of his voice, until he is tired or something attracts

* “ Birds of the Colorado Valley.’’

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 121

his attention. This cry is something like that of a Blue Jay, but
hoarser and heavier. * * * He has also a call sounding like the
rataplan of a Flicker; and again, when greedily regaling on acorns,
and hopping aimlessly about, or peering curiously down through the
pine fronds to watch a suspicious character, he talks to himself in a
queer way, as if thinking aloud, and chuckling over some comical
notions of hisown. * * *

“The Long-crested Jay will eat anything eatable. It is said jays
kill and devour small birds, and doubtless they do so on occasion,
though I do not think it is habitual with them. They suck eggs, de-
spoiling many a pretty nest; and if they cannot catch winged insects,
fat larvee and beetles do not come amiss; but after all, they are prin-
cipally vegetarians, feeding mainly upon seeds, hard fruits, and berries.
* * * Wherever he goes he has it pretty much his own way, hated
and feared by the other birds, whom he silences with a scream and
subdues by a show of authority. But who of his kind has not ene-
mies? Cassin’s Flycatcher, almost as noisy and audacious, has many
a set-to with him, and even the nimble little Wood Pewees pester
him sometimes. The woodpeckers tease him persistently ; they can
scramble about faster than he can follow, and laugh at him from the
other side of a bough, till he quite loses his temper. But after all, our
Jay has good points, and I confess to a sneaking sort of regard for him.
An elegant dashing fellow, of good presence, if not good manners; a
tough, wiry, independent creature, with sense enough to take precious
good care of himself, as any one who wants his skin will discover.”

The above will apply equally well to our Blue Jay, only that he is
- more of a coward and will not attempt as many conquests as will Stel-
ler’s Jay. He does much of the mischief that is laid at the door of the
Robin, Oriole, thrushes, and other birds, and then sneaks away unob-
served, He is a good bird to practice on, both for the sportsman and
taxidermist.

480. Ampelocoma woodhouseii (aird).—Woopuousr’s Jay.
‘‘Transient visitor’? at North Platte—common (M. K. Barnum); east to
Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico (A. O. U. Check List).

484, Perisoreus canadensis (Jinn.).—Canapa JAY.
West Point, Crawford (L. Bruner).

486. Corvus corax sinuatus (Wag/l.).—AMERICAN RAVEN.
Sand Hills of Brown county, Sidney (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Formerly frequently seen
in Nebraska, especially in its northern part’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, formerly

9

s
122 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

abundant, but at present rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Western United States’? (Goss) ;
Omaha (L. Skow).

487. Corvus cryptoleucus Couch.— W HITE-NECKED RAVEN.

Once near Sidney (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Republican river near west line of state’’
(Aughey); ‘‘East to the edge of the plains’ (Goss); ‘‘a mounted specimen
seen in Cherry county,—ranchers say that they are seen occasionally during
fall and winter in northwestern part of state’’ (I. 8S. Trostler).

488. Corvus americanus Aud.—Common Crow.

Omaha, West Point, Lincoln, Fremont, etc.—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Exceed-
ingly abundant’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Extremely abundant in all eastern Nebraska,
resident’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America, from the fur countries to Mexico’’ (Goss);
Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse) ; Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Cherry county
(J. M. Bates); Wood River, Genoa, Omaha (D. H. Talbot); Gage county—breeds
(F. A. Colby); ‘‘an abundant resident in vicinity of Omaha—breeds March 20
to May 25”? (I. S. Trostler).

The common crow has recently received special study in the Di-
vision of Ornithology and Mammology of the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, and the results have been published in Bulletin
No 6 of that division. The report in question was based on the ex-
amination of the contents of nearly one thousand stomachs of these
birds collected at different localities and scattered throughout the year.
Dr. Merriam, in summing up the results of this study, says in his
letter of submittal to the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture that “The
quantity and quality of the evidence seems sufficient to justify a final
conclusion respecting the economic status of the crow, although a larger
number of stomachs from some parts of the country would have been
acceptable.

“The most important charges brought against the crow are: (1)
That it pulls sprouting corn; (2) that it injures corn in the milk ; (3)
that it destroys cultivated fruit ; and (4) that it feeds on the eggs and
young of poultry and wild birds. ©

“All of these charges are sustained by the stomach examinations, so
far as the simple fact that crows feed upon the substances named.
But the extent of the injury is a very different matter.

“Tn order to ascertain whether the sum of the harm done outweighs
the sum of the good, or the contrary, the different kinds of food found
in the stomachs have been reduced to quantitative percentages and
contrasted. The total quantity of corn eaten during the entire year
amounts to 25 per cent of the food of adult crows, and only 9.3 per

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 123

fond

cent of the food of young crows. Leaving the young out of consid-
eration, it may be said that in agricultural districts about one-fourth
of the food of crows consists of corn. But less than 14 per cent of
this corn, and only 3 per cent of the total food of the crow, consists of
sprouting corn and corn in the milk; the remaining 86 per cent of
corn, or 97 per cent of the total food, is chiefly waste grain picked up
here and there, mainly in winter, and of no economic value.

‘In the case of cultivated fruits the loss is trivial. The same is
true of the eggs and young of poultry and wild birds, the total for
the year amounting to only 1 per cent of the food.

“As an offset of his bad habits, the crow is to be credited with the
good done in destroying noxious insects and other injurious animals,
Insects form 26 per cent of the entire food, and the great majority of
these are grasshoppers, May beetles, cut-worms, and other injurious
kinds. It isshown by Mr. Schwarz that during the May-beetle season,
in May and June, these beetles form the principal insect food of the
crow. Only a few stomachs do not contain them, and stomachs are
often filled with them. The fact that the May-beetle season coincides
with the breeding season of the crow is of special importance, the
principal insect food of nestling crows consisting of these beetles. Mr.
Schwarz also finds that grasshoppers occur in the stomachs through-
out the year; that during the May-beetle season they occur in the vast
majority of stomachs, but usually in moderate numbers ; that with the
disappearance of May beetles toward the end of June they increase
in number until in August, and throughout the fall they constitute by
far the greater part of the insect food, often occurring in astonishing
numbers, and often forming the only insect food.

“To the same side of the scale must be added the destruction of
mice, rabbits, and other injurious rodents by the crow.

“Tn summing up the benefits and losses resulting from the food-
habits of this bird, it is clear that the good exceeds the bad and that
the crow is a friend rather than an enemy of the farmer.”

491. Nucifraga columbiana (Wils.).— CLark’s NUTCRACKER.

Sidney, Pine Ridge (L. Bruner); Ft. Kearney (Dr. Cooper); ‘‘Only found

in the western part of the state’’ (Aughey); ‘‘To edge of Great Plains ”’

(Goss); North Platte—abundant in town both winter of 1895 and 1896 (E. D.

Snyder); ‘‘Two seen and one shot, October, 1883 (Dr. Agersborg, Birds of
Southeastern Dakota).

124 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

492. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus ( Wied.).—MAXIMILIAN’S
NurcRAcKER; Pinon Jay.

Pine Ridge, near Ft. Robinson, Pine Bluffs (L. Bruner); “A rare visitant ”’
in Kansas (Goss); Cherry county, Long Pine—winters here (J. M. Bates);
Sioux county, Feb. 19, 1896 (L. Bruner, W. D. Hunter, L. Skow); do., Decem-
ber, 1895 (D. A. Haggard); Fullerton, Nance county, February, 1889 (Chas,
E. Barker. )

Famity ICTERIDZ.—Bvacksirps, ORIOLES, ETC.

The various members of the family Jcterid@ differ so much among
themselves in food-habit that it would be quite difficult to briefly
summarize this. This much, however, can be said of the group, viz.,
that it is essentially insectivorous. The Meadowlark, orioles, Red-
winged and Yellow-headed blackbirds certainly have this trait very
marked indeed while with us; and, if we are to believe the results
obtained by the United States in the recent examinations into the food
of the Crow blackbirds, where 2,258 stomachs were examined cover-
ing the entire year with the result of 46 per cent being insects, we
must acknowledge that the work of these birds is beneficial in the
main,

This leaves to be considered by us the Bobolink and Cowbird, both
of which as Nebraska birds are insectivorous. A more detailed ac-
count of the food-habits of these birds will be found under the respect-
ive species beyond.

494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.).—Bogo.ink.

Omaha, Scribner, Holt county, Norfolk—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ abundant in
Nebraska, where it breeds’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, abundant, arrives
in May’? (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the high plains ’’ (Goss); Beatrice (A. 8. Pearse);
Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); numerous
Nebraska localities (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); a common mi-
grant and rare summer resident in vicinity of Omaha, but common summer
resident and breeder in Cherry county”? (1. S. Trostler).

495. Molothrus ater (Bodd.).—CowsirD.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Thedford, Crawford, ete. —breeds (L. Bruner);
“This bird is unfortunately abundant in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Summer
resident, common, arrive in May and leave in October’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ From the
Atlantic to the Pacific’? (Goss); Beatrice (A. S. Pearse); Fairbury (M. L.
Eaton); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Cherry county, Holt county—breeds, “saw
a nest of Redwing Blackbird at Stuart with five eggs of this bird and three of
its host”? (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘‘an abundant migrant and summer resident
—May 2 to Oct. 15” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, Oct. 10 (D. A. Hagzard).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 5

The Cowbird is peculiarly distinct from all other species of the
feathered tribe as represented in our state. Unlike other birds that
seem to enjoy nest-building and caring for their young, this species is
a genuine parasite, building no nest itself, “but inflicting its eggs
usually on smaller birds, leaving to them the labor and care of rear-
ing its young. It appears to be entirely devoid of conjugal affection,
and practices polyandra, the small flocks in which it is found during
the season of reproduction generally containing several more males
than females” (Bendire). Of course the bird is harmful if we judge
it from this particular feature of its life-history, but if we take into
account its food-habits it is beneficial.

Living, as it does, about cattle, and including in its bill of fare a
large number of various insects like flies, ticks, lice, grasshoppers,
caterpillars, beetles, etc., this habit partly offsets the bad traits above,
referred to.

Bendire lists ninety different species and subspecies of birds in the
nests of which the eggs of this bird have been taken. ‘To this large
list Mr. I. S. Trostler adds the three following, viz.: The Chestnut-
sided Warbler (Dendroica pennsylvanica), Bell’s Vireo (Vireo belli),
and the Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum passerinus).

497. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bonap.).— YrLLow-
HEADED BLACKBIRD.

Omaha, Lincoln, West Point, Holt county, breeds (L. Bruner); ‘* Very
abundant in Nebraska, where it breeds’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, com-
mon; migratory, abundant”’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Temperate western North America”’
(Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman);
Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); O’ Neill, Holt county (D. H. Talbot);
Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘abundant migrant and common summer resi-
dent, abundant breeder in Cherry county ”’ (I. S. Trostler).

498. Agelaius pheniceus (Linn.).— Rep-wincep BLAcKBIRD.

Entire state—breeds (L. Bruner); “Common along water-courses in Ne-
braska” (Aughey); “Summer resident, common” (Taylor); ‘“ Temperate North
America in general” (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S. Pearse);
Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry
and Holt counties—breeds, occasionally remains throughout winter about cat-
tle yards (J. M. Bates); several Nebraska localities (D. H. Talbot); Gage
county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘an abundant migrant and summer resident,
arrives March 15 to April 1—breeds May 15 to July 4,departs Sept. 25 to Oct.
16” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoin, March 12, Oct. 10 (D. A. Haggard).

In the Red-winged Blackbird we have a friend that we little dream
of when we see the large flocks gathering about our corn-fields during

126 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

late summer and early fall. During the balance of the year it is en-
gaged most of the time in waging war upon various insect pests, in-
cluding such forms as the “grub-worms,” cut-worms, grasshoppers,
army worm, beet caterpillar, ete. ven when it visits our corn-fields
it more than pays for the corn it eats by the destruction of the worms
that lurk under the husks of a Jarge per cent of the ears in every field.
Several years ago the beet-fields in the vicinity of Grand Island were
threatened great injury by a certain caterpillar that had nearly defo-
liated all the beets growing in many of them. At about this time
large flocks of this bird appeared and after a week’s sojourn the cater-
pillar plague had vanished, it having been converted into bird tissues.
Numerous other records of the efficiency of their labor as destroyers
of insect pests might be quoted in favor of these birds, but I do not
believe this to be necessary, although considerable evidence has been
recorded of its destroying both fruits and grains.

501. Sturnella magna (Linn.).—_ MEADOWLARK.

Entire state, breeds (L. Bruner); eastern form not beyond Ft. Kearney;
‘*Resident,common’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the edge of the Great Plains ’’ (Goss);
Beatrice, De Witt—nesting (A. S. Pearse); Cherry county—breeds (J. M.
Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘ probably occurs here, have heard
it in Iowa opposite Omaha”? (I. S. Trostler); Long Pine (J. M. Bates).

501. Sturnella magna neglecta (Aud.).— Western MEApDow-
LARK.

West Point, Lincoln, Thedford, Sidney, Ft. Robinson, Harrison, ete.—breeds.

Only oceasionally in eastern part, very common in western part of state (L.

Bruner); ‘‘ neglecta most abundant ’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, common”? (Taylor);

‘‘From Nebraska and Texas to the Pacific coast’’ (Goss); Omaha—nesting (L.

Skow); Peru—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—nesting, also occasion-

ally wintering (J. M. Bates); numerous localities in state (D. H. Talbot); ‘‘An

abundant resident—breeds April 20 to Aug. 3’’ (I. 8. Trostler); Hat creek
basin, one specimen remained throughout winter (Elliott W. Brown).

506. Ieterus spurius (Linn.).—ORcHARD ORIOLE.

Omaha, Lincolv, West Point, South Bend, Bellevue—breeds (L. Bruner);
‘‘Common but not abundantin Nebraska, and breeds here’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Sum-
mer resident, abundant’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the base of the Rocky moun-
tains’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—nesting (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L.
Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J.
M. Bates); Newcastle (D. H. Talbot); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby);
Omaha, ‘‘a common summer resident, arrives May 1 to 10, breeds June 10 to
20, depart in September’? (I. S. Trostler).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 127

507. Icterus glabula (Linn.).—BatrimorE ORIOLE.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, South Bend, etc.—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Com-
mon all over eastern Nebraska where there is woodland or orchard ’’ (Aughey);
‘‘Summer resident, abundant, arrive in April and May” (Taylor); ‘‘ West to
the base of the Rocky mountains ’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeds (A.
S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Cole-
man); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Ponca, Hartington (D. H. Tal-
hot); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); “a common summer resident, arrives
May 6 to 20, breeds June 1 to 20, depart middle of September ”’ (I. S. Trostler).

pee

Fic. 41.—Orchard Oriole.

The Baltimore Oriole has received such a bad reputation here in Ne-
braska as a grape thief during the past two or three years that I feel
inclined to give extra time and space in endeavoring to “clear him”
of such an unenviable a charge. This, however, I hardly think nec-
essary when the facts in the case are known. As insect destroyers
both this bird and the Orchard Oriole have had an undisputed reputa-
tion for many years; and the kinds of insects destroyed by both are
of such a class as to count in their favor. Caterpillars, and beetles
belonging to injurious species comprising 96 per cent of the food of
three specimens killed, is the record we have in their favor. On the
other hand grapes have been punctured only “presumably by this bird,
since he has so frequently been found in the vineyard and must be the
eulprit.” Now, I myself have seen the oriole in apple orchards un-

128 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

der compromising .circumstances, and have heard pretty strong evi-
dence to the effect that it will occasionally puncture ripe apples. It
also belongs in the same family with some generally acceded “ rascals,”
hence I will admit that possibly some of the charges with which he is
credited may be true; but I still believe that most of the injuries to
grapes in this and other states must be laid to other origin.

If we take pains to water our birds during the dry seasons they will
be much less apt to seek this supply from the juices of fruits that are
so temptingly near at hand. Place little pans of water in the orchard
and vineyard where the birds can visit them without fear of being
seized by the house cat or knocked over by a missile from the alert
“small boy,” and I am sure that the injury to fruit, to a great extent
at least, will cease. (See also account of English Sparrow.)

508. Icterus bullocki (Swains.).—BuLLock’s ORIOLE.
West Point, Ft. Robinson—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘is also frequently seen in
Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common; found mostly in the
western part of the state’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ East to Dakota and Texas’’ (Goss).

509. Scolecophagus carolinus (JJiil.)—Rusry BLackesrrp.

West Point, Lincoln, Lyons, a few remain with us all winter (L. Bruner);
“This species abounds in early spring and in the last of September and Octo-
ber during its migrations” (Aughey); “ Found in early spring and September
and October, probably remains in the state during winter” (Taylor); “ West
to Great Plains” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates);
“An abundant migrant” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, Oct. 8, 10, 25 (D. A. Hag-
gard).

510. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus( Wag/.).— Brewer’s BLack-
BIRD.

West Point, Holt county (L. Bruner); ‘‘ very abundant in Nebraska, where
it breeds’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common; summer resident, not common;
arrives in April and leaves in September’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ East to western Minne-
sota and Texas’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates);
Omaha, ‘‘a common migrant, usually in company with Bronzed and Purple
grackles (I. S. Trostler).

511. Quiscalus quiscula (Linn.).—PURPLE GRACKLE.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); “abundant in eastern Nebraska” (Aughey);
Omaha—nesting (L. Skow); “an abundant migrant and somewhat common
summer resident, arrives March 20 to April 10, breeds May 10 to 20, departs
last of September and early October” (I. S. Trostler).

5116. Quiscalus quiscula seneus ( Ridgw.).—BRONZED GRACKLE.
Lincoln, West Point, Omaha, Fremont, ete.—breeds ( L. Bruner); “‘Summer
resident, common, probably remains in the state during winter’’ (Taylor);

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 129

‘West to the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S.
Pearse); Omaha—nesting (L. Skow); Peru, breeds occasionally (G. A. Cole-
man); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A.
Colby); ‘‘common summer resident, dates same as the preceding species’? (I.
S. Trostler); Lincoln, March 25, 28 (D. A. Haggard).

Mr. Beal, in his summary of the food-habit study of the Crow-
blackbirds, says of them: “From the foregoing results it appears that
if the mineral element be rejected as not properly forming a part of
the diet, the food of the Crow-blackbird for the whole year consists
of animai and vegetable matter in nearly equal proportions. Of the

Fic. 42.—Crow-Blackbird.

animal component twenty-three twenty-fourths are insects, and of the
insects five-sixths are noxious species. ‘The charge that the blackbird
is a habitual robber of other bird’s nests seems to be disproved by the
stomach examinations.”

“Of the vegetable food it has been found that corn constitutes half
and other grain one-fourth. Oats are seldom eaten except in April and
August, and wheat in July and August. Fruit is eaten in such mod-
erate quantities that it has no economic inportance, particularly in
view of the fact that so little belongs to cultivated varieties.” * * *

130 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

“Upon the whole, Crow-blackbirds are so useful that no general
war of extermination should be waged against them. While it must
be admitted that at times they injure crops, such depredations can
usually be prevented. On the other hand, by destroying insects they
do incalculable good.”

FAMILY FRINGILLIDZ,—Frvours, SPARROWS, GROSBEAKS,
ETC.

Our sparrows and their allies, taken together, form a very extensive
family of very beautiful as well as useful birds. Like the warblers,
they occupy themselves with searching for and destroying insects;
but this is not all they do that is good. In fall, winter, and early
spring, when mother earth has lost her brilliant green and rests in
sombre browns or beneath ice and snow, the longspurs, snow buntings,
snowbirds, and some of the sparrows that have remained with us, are
busily engaged in gathering for themselves a living. They hop and
fly about from place to place searching for and picking up little seeds
of grass, grain, and weeds, of shrubs and trees, and appropriating the
same to their use, chirping merrily as they work away.

514. Coccothraustes vespertinus (Cooper). — EvENING GRos-
BEAK,

West Point, November 19, 1885 (L. Bruner); ‘‘a few times in winter”?
(Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare’? (Taylor); ‘‘East to Manitoba, Michigan, and
Illinois’’ (Goss); Peru, rare (G. A. Coleman); North Platte, ‘accidental vis-
itant; a pair was seen in town frequently, and one killed May 11, 1895”’ (M.
K. Barnum).

515. Pinicola enucleator (Linn.).—Pine GrosBEak.

Grand Island (F. J. Brezee); Alda (Bull. No. 2, Div. Ornith., p. 178);
“This species occurs in sontheastern Nebraska in winter, but in small num-
bers’”’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Winter resident, rare, has been found as early as Novem-
ber and late as February’’ (Taylor); ‘‘Casually to Kansas, Kentucky, ete.”’
(Goss); Lincoln, Noy. 11, 1895 (L. Bruner); Omaha (L Skow); Omaha, ‘‘an
irregular winter visitor—usually met with after cold north windsin midwinter”’
(I. 8S. Trostler).

517. Carpodacus purpureus (Gme/.).—PurpPLE Frncu.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “have only seen this bird in Nebraska
in October” (Aughey); “Has been found in the state in May and October”
(Taylor); “ West to the high plains’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, not
common (G. A. Coleman); “An irregular migrant and winter resident—occurs
about Omaha during latter October to April 15” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, Oct.
30 (D. A. Haggard).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 131

518. Carpodacus eassini baird.—Cassin’s PuRPLE FINCH.
Sioux county (J. B. White).

521. Loxia curvirostra minor (Brehm).— AMERICAN CROSSBILL.
West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Entered upon authority of Baird’’ (Tay-

lor); ‘‘ Chiefly far northward and east of the Great Plains’’ (Goss) ; Sioux

county, Dec. 14, 1895 (L. Bruner); Fairbury (M. L. Eaton); Omaha (L. Skow);

Peru, rare migrant (G. A. Coleman); Gage county, (F. A. Colby); ‘‘an irregu-

lar migrant and winter resident, occurs in vicinity of Omaha from latter part

of October to March 1”’ (I. S. Trostler); Sioux county, Feb. 19 to 27, quite
common (W. D. Hunter, L. Skow); Fullerton, Nance county (C. E. Barker).

521a. Loxia curvirostra stricklandi Aidgw.—Mexican Cross-

BILL.
Mr. L. Skow of Omaha reports having taken a number of specimens of what
might be this Crossbill. ‘‘ From eastern Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, ete.—

wintering on Agricultdral College grounds, Manhattan, Kansas’’ (Goss).

522. Loxia leucoptera Gmel.—WHITE-WINGED CrossBILL.

West Point, Omaha, December, 1887 (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Entered upon the au-
thority of Baird ’’ (Taylor); ‘‘South in winter to about latitude 39°’’ (Goss);
Fairbury (M. L. Eaton); ‘‘an irregular winter resident, rare, seen in company
with the American Crossbill, but only in coldest midwinter”’ (I. S. Trostler).

524. Leucosticte tephracotis Swains. —GrRay-cRowNED LEUv-
COSTICTE.

‘This bird is frequently seen in Nebraska in winter, but rarely in summer ”’
(Aughey); Omaha (L. Skow); Sioux county, Feb. 18, 1896 (L. Bruner and L.
Skow); ‘‘south in winter throughout the entire Rocky mountain region of the
United States, but most abundant on the eastern slope’’ (A. O. U. Check List) ;
reported by Elliott W. Brown of Hat Creek, Wyo., as living in the nests of
the Cliff or Eave Swallow during very cold winter weather (W. D. Hunter).

528. Acanthis linaria (Linn.).—Common REDPOLL.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘This bird appears irregularly in Ne-
braska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Winter resident, rare, has been seen as early as Novem-
ber and as late as February (Taylor); ‘‘South in winter through the northern
to middle United States’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Omaha (F. J. Brezee);
‘common winter resident and migrant, earliest seen in fall at Omaha, Sept.
30” (I. S. Trostler); Sioux county, December and February, exceedingly com-
mon (L. Bruner, D. A. Haggard, F. W. Taylor, W. D. Hunter, L. Skow).

5286. Acanthis linaria rostrata (Couves)—GREATER REDPOLL.

‘‘A common winter resident and migrant, a large flock seen near Omaha,
Nov. 17, 1895’ (1. S. Trostler).

529. Spinus tristis (Linn.)— AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
Omaha, West Point, Lincoln, Fremont, ete.—breeds (L. Bruner); *‘ Common
in northern Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common”? (Taylor);

132 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

‘“Temperate North America generally ’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—nesting (A.
S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry
county—breeds (J. M. Bates); several localities in state (D. H. Talbot); Gage
county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘an abundant resident, breeds July 20 to Sept.
1 (I. 8S. Trostler); Lincoln, Nov. 5 (D. A. Haggard).

533. Spinus pinus (IVils.).—Pine Siskin; Prine GoLDPINcH.
Omaha, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘ In December, 1887, two specimens were
collected by members of the zoology class—has been found in the state as early
as September’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Temperate North America ’’ (Goss); Omaha (L.
Skow); Genoa, Wood River (D. H. Talbot); ‘‘an irregular migrant and winter
resident—earliest seen October 10’? (I. S. Trostler).

000. Passer domesticus (Linn.).—EvurRopEAN House SPARROW;
ENGLISH SPARROW.

Nearly all of state in towns—breeds most of year (L. Bruner); Beatrice (A.
S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Gordon, Nebr., and in towns this side—
east— breeds (J. M. Bates); Beatrice (F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘a very abundant
resident, breeds every month in the year except December, January, and Feb-
ruary—rapidly driving out the Purple Martin, House wrens, and Bluebird”

(I. S. Trostler).

~ Ke

1 Hl i)

Snglish Sparrow.

The European House Sparrow, or English Sparrow, as it is more
commonly called in this country, while doing considerable in the line
of destroying insects of various kinds that are common to the garden,
is a nuisance in many ways. ‘To those who are familiar with the bird

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. bs

no description of its habits are necessary; but to those who are not
acquainted with it a few words may be of service.

A lover of cities and towns and the company and protection of man,
this bird has become exceedingly numerous. It is very pugnacious,
incessantly fighting with its own kind, as well as with all other birds
that it can overawe by its repeated onslaughts. In this way it soon
drives away orioles, bluebirds, wrens, etc., that would otherwise make
their homes in our parks. Among the many other charges that have
been made against this bird is that of injury to fruits; and I believe
that much of the blame that has heen laid to the orioles, robins, and
thrushes should be laid to him. Quoting from Bulletin No. 1 of the
Division of Economie Orinthology and Mammology, United States
Department of Agriculture, we have the following:

“ Among fruits, grapes appear to suffer most, and, although many
grapes are raised without protection in places where sparrows are con-
sidered fairly abundant, there is every reason to believe that sooner or
later this bird will discover and injure them wherever its increase is
tolerated. It has been shown that grape buds are frequently destroyed
in the early spring, and the fact that one hundred and twenty-seven
observers, representing twenty-six states and the District of Columbia,
now (1888) bear witness to injury to ripening fruit, may well cause
apprehension among grape-growers who have not suffered any loss as
yet.” * *, *

““Those who have watched closely the movements of the sparrow
when among the grapes agree that he pecks many more grapes than
he eats, and his actions at such times, together with the fact that he
frequently picks off leaves and shoots, which he does not eat, lend
some color to the statements that he willfully destroys simply for the
pleasure of destruction.”

534, Plectrophenax nivalis (inn.)—Snow Buntine; Snow-
FLAKE.

West Point, Omaha, Norfolk, Sidney, etc. (L. Bruner); ‘‘abundant in Ne-
braska in winter’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Winter resident, common, has been seen in
November and February’’ (Taylor); ‘‘Casually to Georgia, southern Illinois,
and Kansas’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘irregular migrant and
winter resident, Nov. 5 to March 1”? (I. S. Trostler); Sioux county, Feb. 19,
1896 (L. Bruner).

536. Calearius lapponicus (Linn.).—LaprLanp Lonespur.
West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘Present in Nebraska’’ (Aughey);
‘South in winter to Kentucky, southern Illinois, Kansas, etc.’’ (Goss); Beat-

134 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

rice (A. S. Pearce); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Wood
River (D. H. Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘common winter resident,
Nov. 20 to March 1”? (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, Feb. 8, March 2 (D. A. Hag-
gard).

537. Calcarius pictus (Swains.).—Smirn’s Lonespur.
West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘Probably migratory, passing through
the state in April and October”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ From the Arctic coast to Illinois
and Texas’”’ (Goss); Lincoln, Oct. 25 (D. A. Haggard).

538. Calearius ornatus (Zowns.).—CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONG-
SPUR.

West Point, Grand Island, Lincoln (I.. Bruner); ‘‘ Abundant in Nebraska,
where it breeds’’ (?) (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common, arrives in May ’”’
(Taylor); ‘‘A bird of the plains’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county
(J. M. Bates); Albion, O’ Neill, Wood River (D. H. Talbot); a common migrant,
March 20 to April 16, Oct. 1 to 15 (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, Oct. 25 (D. A.
Haggard).

539. Rhynchophanes mecownii (Lawr.).— McCown’s Lone-
SPUR.

West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘A few found in Nebraska”’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer
resident, rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘South in winter through Kansas”’ (Goss); Cherry
county (J. M. Bates); Wood River (D. H. Talbot); ‘‘a not very common mi-
grant, March 20 to April 16, Oct. 1 to 15” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, March 11
(D. A. Haggard). ;

540. Pooceetes gramineus (Gmel.)— VESPER SPARROW; GRASS
FINCH.

West Point, Lincoln, breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant only in certain locali-
ties’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common, probably arrives in April and
has been seen as late as September ’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Eastern North America to the
plains’? (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, rare—may breed (G. A.
Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); several localities in east cen-
tral part of state (D. H. Talbot); Omaha, ‘‘a not common summer resident,
April 20 to Oct. 10”’ (I. 8S. Trostler); Lincoln, April 12 (D. A. Haggard).

540a. Poocetes gramineus confinis baird.—WEsTERN VESPER
SPARROW.
Holt county, Sand Hills (L. Bruner); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates).

542a. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna (Wils.).—Sa-
VANNA SPARROW.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrives in
April, May, and September’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the plains’’ (Goss); Omaha
—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—may breed (G. A. Coleman); Cherry
county—breeds (J. M. Bates); O’ Neill, Genoa, Wood River—exceedingly com-
mon (D. H. Talbot); ‘‘a not common summer resident, arrive early in May—

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 155:

breeds June 1 to 12, departs late August and September” (I. S. Trostler);
Lincoln, April 19, Oct. 14, 16, 23 (D. A. Haggard).

5426, Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus (bonap.).—
WESTERN SAVANNA SPARROW.

Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Western North America in general’’ (Goss); Omaha
—breeding (L. Skow); Lincoln, Oct. 10 (D. A. Haggard).

545. Ammodramus bairdi (Avud.).—Batrp’s Buntina.
Lincoln, West Point, Sioux county—breeding in latter locality (L. Bruner);
‘*One specimen mentioned by Baird as collected at Ft. Union, Nebraska (Tay-
lor); O’Neill, Nebr., September 1884 (D. H. Talbot); ‘from the plains of the
Red river and Saskatchewan south to Texas’’ (A. O. U. Check List); ‘‘ quite
a common migrant—I have a set of five eggs taken by myself May 30, 1893,
near Omaha that I feel positive are of this species’’ (I. S. Trostler).

546. Ammodramus savannarum passerinus (/Vils.).—Grass-
HOPPER SPARROW; YELLOW-WINGED SPARROW.

West Point, Lincoln, Holt county (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Abundant in Nebraska,
and breeds here’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, abundant ”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West
to the plains’’ (Goss); Peru, abundant—-breeds (G. A. Coleman); a number of
east middle Nebraska localities (D. H. Talbot) ; ‘‘common summer resident,
arrives April 10 to May 1, breeds May 15 to 25, departs Sept. 5 to 30” (I. S.
Trostler); Lincoln, May 10, 17 (D. A. Haggard).

546a. Ammodramus savannarum perpallidus (fidgw.).—
WESTERN GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates).

547. Ammodramus henslowii (Avd.).—HEnsLow’s Sparrow.
Lincoln, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘I haveonly occasionally met with this bird
in Nebraska” (Aughey); “Summer resident, rare, has been found in the state

as late as September” (Taylor); “ West to the Plains” (Goss).

548. Ammodramus leconteii (Aud.).—LE ConrTe’s SPARROW.
West Point, Lincoln, Omaha, Holt county (L. Bruner); “The Great Plains,
north to Manitoba”,(Goss); Wood River, Ponca (D. H. Talbot); “ from the plains
eastward to Illinois” (A. O. U. Check List); Lincoln, May 17 (D. A. Haggard);
Lincoln (B. Shimek).

549a. Ammodramus cadacutus nelsoni Allen. — NELson’s
SPARROW.
‘¢From northern Illinois northward to North Dakota and Manitoba, south
in winter to Texas’”’ A. O. U. Check List); “chiefly in the Mississippi valley
(Goss); Ft. Sisseton and Devil’s lake, N. Dak. (Vernon Bailey).

552. Chondestes grammacus (Say).— Lark Finch; Lark
BUNTING.

Lincoln, West Point—breeds (L. Bruner); Abundant—breeds (Aughey);
“Summer resident, abundant, arrives in May and remains as late as Septem-

136 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ber” (Taylor); “Mississippi valley, north to Iowa, Wisconsin, etc.” (Goss);
Beatrice—breeding (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—
breeds (G. A, Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Jackson, Ponca,
Newcastle (D. H. Talbot); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); abundant sum-
mer resident, arrives April 1 to 10, breeds May 20 to June 10, departs Sept. 5
to 30 (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, May 10 (D. A. Haggard).

553. Zonotrichia querula (Vuit.).—Harris’s Sparrow.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “Common in eastern Nebraska
along the Missouri’ (Aughey); “Common” (Taylor); “west to eastern Mon-
tana and western Nebraska” (Goss); Beatrice (M. L. Eaton); Omaha (L. Skow);
Peru, common migrant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Wood
River, Genoa (D. H. Talbot), Lincoln (D. A. Haggard, D. F. Hall).

554. Zonotrichia leucophrys (/orst.).— WHITE-CROWNED SPAR-
ROW.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “Only occasionally seen in Ne-
braska” (Aughey); “ Migratory, common; summer resident, rare” (Taylor);
“North America at large” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. M.
Bates); “a common migrant April 12 to May 1—not noted in autumn” (I. S,
Trostler).

554a. Zonotrichia leucophrys intermedia fidgw.—InTERME-
DIATE SPARROW.

Lincoln, West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘From the eastern edge of the
Great Plains’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry county (J. H. Bates); An
abundant migrant and common winter resident, Omaha, Oct. 1 to April 2 to
30” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, Crete, April 19 (D. A. Haggard).

5546. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli Nutt.—Gamsev’s Spar-
ROW.
‘‘Baird mentions two specimens taken in 1856’? (Taylor).

558. Zonotrichia albicollis (Gme/.).—WHITE-THROATED SPAR-
ROW.

West Point, Lincoln, Weeping Water (L. Bruner); ‘‘abundant in Nebraska
during its migrations’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, arrives in May, Sep-
tember, and October’? (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the edge of the Great Plains”’
(Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, rare migrant (G. A. Coleman); Omaha, ‘‘a
common migrant April 12 to May 15, Sept. 20 to Nov. 1”? (I. S. Trostler).

559. Spizella monticola (Gme.).—TREE SPARROW.

West Point, Lincoln, Omaha, Weeping Water, ete. (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant
in winter and a few breed here in sumfer’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ West to the edge of
the Great Plains’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha (L. Skow);
Cherry county—winters (J. M. Bates); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘an abun-
dant winter resident, arrives Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, departs before April 1’ (I. S.
Trostler); Lincoln, March 25, Oct. 21, Nov. 5 (D. A. Haggard).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. Tosa

559a. Spizella monticola ochracea Brewst.—WestERN TREE
SPARROW.

‘* Possibly may be found in Nebraska, mentioned in A. O. U. Check List as
‘east to Dakota and western Kansas’ ’”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ East to Dakota, middle
Kansas and Texas’’ (Goss); Peru, common winter resident (G. A. Coleman);
Omaha (L. Skow); Sioux county, Feb. 18, 1896 (L. Bruner).

560. Spizella socialis ( Wi/s.)—Cuippinc SpaRRow.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner) ; “ Very abundant in portions of Nebraska”
(Aughey); ‘Abundant in spring and fall, and probably breeds in the state ”
(Taylor); “west to the Rocky mountains” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru,
rare—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Omaha, “an abundant migrant and common

summer resident, arrives April 1 to 15, breeds in June, departs Sept. 10 to Oct.
1” (1. S. Trostler).

Fie. 44.—Chipping Sparrow.

561. Spizella pallida (Swains.).— CLay-coLoRED Sparrow.

West Point, Lincoln, Rulo (L. Bruner); ‘‘abundant in portions of Nebraska
in May and October’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common; summer resident, occa-
sional; arrives in May and October’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Interior of North America;
I am inclined to believe that the bird occasionally breeds in Nebraska ’’ (Goss);
Peru, common migrant (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates);
Omaha, ‘a common migrant, May 1 to 25 and Sept. 20 to Oct. 25” (I. S.
Trostler); Lincoln, May 17 and Oct. 7 (D. A. Haggard).

562. Spizella breweri Cass.—BreEwer’s SPARROW.

Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates).
10

138 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

563. Spizella pusilla (Widson).—FreLp Sparrow.

Lincoln, West Point, Kulo, Weeping Water, etc. (L. Bruner); ‘‘Summer
resident, common, arrives as early as the last of April and has been found as
late as September’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the edge of the Great Plains’’ (Goss),
Beatrice, De Witt—nesting (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru,
common—breeds (G A. Coleman); Omaha, ‘‘an abundant migrantand common
summer resident, arrives March 20 to May 1, breeds May 10 to Aug. 1—three
broods—departs Sept. 15 to Oct. 10’’ (I.S. Trostler).

563a. Spizella pusilla arenacea Chadb.—WesrERN FIELD
SPARROW. ji

Cherry county (J. M. Bates); ‘‘Great Plains, from Texas to Montana and
Dakota’’ (A. O. U. Check List).

566. Junco aikeni Ridgw.— WHITE-WINGED JUNCO.

“Rocky mountains in Colorado and Wyoming, straggling east in winter to
middle Kansas and Indian Territory” (Goss); Ft. Robinson, Sioux county,
December, 1895 (L. Bruner, D. A. Haggard); Sioux county, Feb. 18 to 29, 1896,
abundant (L. Bruner, W. D. Hunter, L. Skow).

Several specimens were taken in which the white wing-bands were
wanting, and a single one with decidedly pinkish sides.

567. Junco hyemalis (Linn.).—JuNnco; SLATE-COLORED SNow-
BIRD.

Lincoln, Omaha, Bellevue, West Point, Rulo, ete. (L. Bruner); “A few are
found here during the whole year, but the great mass pass northward in spring ”
(Aughey); ‘“ Winter resident, abundant” (Taylor); “South in winter through-
out the eastern United States and straggling westward to the Pacifie coast”
(Goss); Beatrice (A.S. Pearse); Omaha (L. Skow); Gage county (F. A. Colby);
Omaha, an abundant winter resident, Oct. 10 to 30, March 20 to April 10—a
few seen during summer—probably breeds here” (I. 8S. Trostler); Lincoln,
March 25 (D. A. Haggard).

567a. Junco hyemalis oregonus (Zowns.).—OREGON JUNCO.
West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Baird mentions two specimens taken in
October, probably a rare winter resident in the western part of the state’’
(Taylor); ‘‘In winter straggling east to the Mississippi river’? (Goss); Sioux
county, December, 1895 (L. Bruner, D. A. Haggard); ‘‘In winter to middle
Kansas”? (Ridgeway); Omaha (L. Skow); Sioux county, Feb. 19, 1896° (L.
Skow); Long Pine, April 8 (J. M. Bates).

567b. Junco hyemalis shufeldti Coale——Suvurevpr’s Junco.
Cherry county, Nebr. (J. M. Bates); ‘‘Accidental in Michigan, Illinois,
Massachusetts, Maryland, ete. (A. O. U. Check List).
568. Junco annectens Baird.—PINK-sIDED JUNCO.
Lincoln, March 11, 1895 (Student).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 139

569. Junco caniceps ( Woodh.).—GRayY-HEADED JUNCO.
Sioux county, Dec. 14, 1895 (L. Bruner, D. A. Haggard).

578. Peuceea cassini ( Woodh.).—Casstn’s SPARROW.
Summer resident in middle and western part of Kansas (Goss); central and
western Kansas (A. O. U. Check List); this bird very likely reaches the Re-
publican river valley in Nebraska (L. Bruner).

581. Melospiza fasciata (Gmel.).—Sone Sparrow.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘Common in certain localities ”’
(Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common, arrives in April and May, and found
as late as September, probably a winter resident in some parts of the state’’
(Taylor); ‘‘ West to the base of the Rocky mountains ”’ (Goss); Omaha (L.
Skow); an abundant winter resident, also common resident, commonest Oct. 1
to March 20” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, March 25, Oct. 7, 23, 30, Crete, April
19 (D. A. Haggard); Crawford, Dec. 12 (L. Bruner); Long Pine, April 9 (J.
M. Bates).

583. Melospiza lincolnii (Aud.).—Lincoun’s Sparrow.
West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘Great numbers pass through Nebraska
in spring and fall”’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, abundant, arrives in April, May,
September, and October’”’ (Taylor) ; ‘‘ North America at Large’’ (Goss); Peru,

common mizrant (G. A. Coleman); Lincoln, April 22, May 8, 10, Oct. 7,8 (D.
A. Haggard).

584. Melospiza georgiana (Lath.).—Swamp Sparrow.
Lincoln, West Point, Lyons (L. Bruner); ‘‘One specimen mentioned by
Baird’? (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the Great Plains’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow);

Peru, common migrant (G. A. Coleman); Lincoln, April 26, May 3, Dee. 15
(D. A. Haggard).

585. Passerella iliaca (Merrem).—Fox Sparrow.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘One specimen mentioned in the
records of the Normal Science Society” (Taylor); ‘““West to the plains and|
Alaska” (Goss); Beatrice (A. 8. Pearse); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common
migrant (G. A. Coleman); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha, “a common mi-
grant, Oct. 1 to 26, March 20 to April 10—occasionally seen during warm winter
weather” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, April 9, Oct. 29 (D. A. Haggard).

585c. Passerella iliaca schistacea (Baird).—SLATE-COLORED
SPARROW.
Omaha, Florence, Rockport (L. Skow).

587. Pipilo erythropthalmus (Linn.).—CuHEWINK ; TOWHEE.
West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Rulo, ete.—breeds (L. Bruner); “ Large num-
bers pass through northern Nebraska on their migration, a few stop to breed ”
(Aughey); “ Migratory, abundant; summer resident, somewhat rare; arrive in
March and April, may occasionally spend the winter in the state” (Taylor);
‘West to eastern Dakota and Texas” (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A.

140 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

S. Pearse) ;-Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman);
Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Genoa, Wood River—abundant (D. H.
Talbot); Gage county (F. A. Colby); “an abundant migrant and common resi-
dent, breeds April 20 to June 25,—two or three broods—have taken fresh eggs
and two-weeks-old young in same nest” (I. 8. Trostler); Lincoln (D. A. Hag-
gard).

588. Pipilo maculatus arcticus (Swains.).—Arcric TowHEE.

Sioux county (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Baird mentions eighteen specimens collected in
western Nebraska, ten in May, four in summer, and three the latter part of
September’? (Taylor); ‘‘ East to Kansas, Nebraska, etc.’’ (Goss); Cherry county
—breeds (J. M. Bates); Sioux county—breeding (R. E. Dinges).

590. Pipilo chlorurus (Zowns.).—GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE.

‘* Baird mentions several taken in August in extreme western Nebraska”’
(Taylor).

593. Cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.).—CarpDINaL GROSBEAK.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln Rulo, Nebraska City, etc.—breeds (L. Bruner);
‘* Abundant in southern Nebraska, where it breeds’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, com-
mon’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the edge of the Great Plains’’ (Goss); Beatrice (A.
S. Pearse); Fairbury (M. L. Eaton); Omaha, Rockport—breeds (L. Skow);
Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a not
uncommon resident, commonest in winter, breeds in latter part of May’? (I.
S. Trostler); Lincoln, March 5, Rulo, April 18 (D. A. Haggard).

595. Habia ludoviciana (Zinn.).—RosE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, ete., breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rather
abundant in northern Nebraska ’”’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common, ar-
rives in April and May’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the edge of the Great Plains”’
(Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Beatrice (M. L. Eaton); Omaha—
breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Gage county—
breeds (IF. A. Colby); a common summer resident, arrives April 20 to May 10,
“breeds May 25 to June 10, departs for the south during latter September ’’
(I. S. Trostler).

596. Habia melanocephala (Swains.).—BLACK-HEADED Gros-
BEAK.

Sioux county (L. Bruner); Lincoln (R. E. Dinges); ‘‘ I have seen this bird
myself only along, the Republican river in southwestern Nebraska’’ (Aughey);
‘*Summer resident, rare, arrives in May and has been found as late as Septem-
ber’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ East to middle Nebraska’’ (Goss); Omaha, ‘‘a rare strag-
gler—one found dead under telegraph wire Oct. 26, 1894” (I. S. Trostler).

597. Guiraca ceerulea (Linn.).— BLUE GROSBEAK.

Grand Island (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, rare, has been seen as late as
September’”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North occasionally to New England and southern Ne-
braska’”’ (Goss); Gage county (Fred Wesphal, F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘a strag-
gler, rare, one seen Oct. 26, 1894” (I. S. Trostler).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 141

597a. Guiraca cerulea eurhyncha Coues.—Wesrern Buus
GROSBEAK.
“*From South Dakota, Colorado,’’ ete. (A. O. U. Check List).

598. Passerina cyanea (Linn.).—Inpico Buntine; INpigo Birp.

Omaha, West Point, Weeping Water, Lincoln—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rare

in Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common, arrives in May ”’ (Tay-

lor); ‘‘ West to the edge of the Great Plains’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A.

S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Cole-

man); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘ common

summer resident, arrives May 1 to 10, breeds June 3 to 15, departs early in
September’’ (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, Aug. 15 (D. A. Haggard).

599. Passerina amecena (Say).—Lazout Finca; Lazutr Bunr-
ING.

West Point, Sioux county—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Summer resident, rare ”’
(Taylor); ‘‘ East to the Great Plains’’ (Goss).

604. Spiza americana (Gmel.)—DickcissEL; BLACK-THROATED
BUNTING.

West Point, Omaha, Norfolk, Schuyler, Lincoln, ete.—breeds (L. Bruner) ;
‘““Common in eastern Nebraska, and found to the west line of the state”
(Aughey); “Summer resident, abundant, found as late as September ” (Tay-
lor); ‘North to New England and southern Dakota” (Goss); Beatrice (A. S.
Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, abundant—breeds (G. A. Coleman);
Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); numerous localities in state (D. H.
Talbot); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); “An abundant migrant and com-
mon summer resident, arrives May 7 to 15, breeds June 2 to July 15” (I. 8.
Trostler).

605. Calamospiza melanocorys Stejn.—Lark Buntine.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “ Rather abundant in southern Nebraska,
where it breeds” (Aughey); “Summer resident, common, probably arrives in
May” (Taylor); ‘“ West to the Rocky mountains” (Goss); Lincoln (D. A. Hag-
gard); Beatrice—breeding, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Cherry county—breeds
(J. M. Bates); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Thomas county—breeding (L.
Bruner).

Famity TANAGRIDZE.—TANAGERS.

607. Piranga ludoviciana (Wils.).— LourstanaA ‘TANAGER;
CRIMSON-HEADED TANAGER.

Sioux county—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Baird mentions five specimens collected
in western Nebraska in August and September ’’ (Taylor).

608. Piranga erythromelas Vieil/—Scarter TANAGER.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, La Platte, Weeping Water, etc.—breeds (L.
Bruner); ‘‘in the southeastern part of the state’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resi-

142 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

dent, somewhat rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West tothe Great Plains’’ (Goss); Oniaha—
breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Gage county (F.
A. Colby); ‘‘quite common summer resident, arrives about May 1, breeds June
5 to 20, and departs early in September”’ (I. S. Trostler).

610. Piranga rubra (Linn.).—SumMeEr Reppirp.
Lincoln, breeds (R. E. Dinges); ‘‘ Have seen this bird only in southeastern
Nebraska (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, rare, arrives in May’’ (Taylor);
‘*North to New Jersey, Illinois, and Nebraska’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); “a

rare summer resident, one seen in western part of Douglas county, July 7, 1894”
(I. 8. Trostler).

Famity HIRUNDINIDZ.—Swa.tvows.

All of our swallows are insect destroyers, feeding upon such forms
as gnats, flies, ete., which they capture on the wing. The large colo-
nies of different species of these birds that breed within the state, as
well as those that pass through during their migrations, destroy vast
numbers of these insects. ‘They should be protected.

611. Progne subis (Linn.).—PurrLe Martin; House Martin.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, ete.—breeds(L. Bruner); ‘“ Rather com-
mon in Nebraska, where it breeds’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common,
arrives in May’ (Taylor); ‘‘ The whole of temperate North America’’ (Goss);
Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A.S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru,
common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Gage county (F. A. Colby); Omaha, ‘‘a
common resident, formerly abundant, but being driven out by European House

Sparrow; arrives March 10 to April 1, breeds April 25 to June 1”’ (I. S. Trost-
ler).

612. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say).—C.Lirr SwALLow; EAvEs
SwaLLow ; Mup SwALtow.

West Point, Lincoln, Sioux county, Omaha, ete.—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Oc-
curs in eastern Nebraska in great numbers’ (Aughbey) ; ‘‘Summer resident,
arrive in May’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America at large’’ (Goss); Omaba—breeds
(L. Skow); Cherry county—breeding (J. M. Bates); Omaha, ‘‘common sum-
mer resident, arrives May 1, breeds May 20 to July 1, departs Aug. 10 to Sept.
15”’ (I. S. Trostler).

613. Chelidon erythrogastra (Bodd.).— Barn SwWALLow.

Holt county, Omaha, Lincoln, West Point, ete.—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ various
localities in eastern Nebraska, and also breeds here (Aughey); ‘‘ Summer resi-
dent, common, arrives in May ’”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America in general ’’ (Goss) ;
Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Cherry
county—breeds Jan. 2, 1892(J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby);
Omaha, ‘‘a common summer resident, arrives May 1 to 10, breeds May 25 to
July 10, departs Aug. 10 to Sept. 15”? (I. S. Trostler).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 1438

"614, Tachycineta bicolor ( Viei//.).—WuiTE-BELLIED SWALLow;

TREE SWALLOW.

West Point, Lincoln, Sioux county, breeds in latter locality (L. Bruner);
‘*found but sparingly in Nebraska’’ (Aughey.); ‘‘Summer resident, rare, ar-
rives in April” (Taylor); ‘‘The whole of North America’’ (Goss); Omaha—
breeds (L. Skow); ‘‘a common migrant, but as summer resident not common
in vicinity of Omaha, arrives April 10 to May 1, breeds June 1 to 10, departs
Sept. 1 to 25” (I. 8. Trostler).

615. Tachycineta thalassina (Swains.).— VIOLET-GREEN SWAL-

LOW.
West Point, Sioux county—breeds in latter locality (L. Bruner); ‘‘in west-
ern Nebraska, where I found it nesting ’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Mentioned by both Baird
and Aughey as taken in the summer season in western Nebraska ”’ (Taylor).

616. Clivicola riparia (Linn.).—Bank SwaL.ow.

6

/

Entire state—breeds in suitable localities (L. Bruner); ‘‘Common in eastern
Nebraska—breeds (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common’? (Taylor); ‘‘ North-
ern hemisphere in general’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeds (A. S. Pearse);
Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county
—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘anabundantsummer resident—breeds”’ (I. 8. Trost-
ler).

17. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Aud.). — RouGH-wINGED

SwaLLow.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘breeding in Richardson county’?
(Aughey); ‘‘summer resident, common ”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ United States at large”’
(Goss); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); ‘‘rare summer resident, a
small colony seen nesting in bank of Elkhorn river in western part of Douglas
county July 15, 1894” (I. S. Trostler).

Famity AMPELIDZA.—Waxwincs.

The “ waxwings,” both the Cedar Bird and Bohemian Waxwing,

feed principally upon berries, ete., which they find throughout the
year. Still, in his studies of the food contents of the stomachs of a

variety of birds taken in a certain orchard that was overrun with
canker-worms, Professor Forbes found that the seven specimens of
the Cedar Waxwing had eaten nothing but canker-worms and a few
dung beetles—these latter in such small numbers as to scarcely count.
The number of caterpillars eaten by each bird ranged from 70 to 101.

618. Ampelis garrulus Linn.—Bonemian Waxwine; Norru-

ERN WAXWING.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘Rare in Nebraska in winter’’
(Aughey); ‘‘ Winter resident’’ (Taylor); ‘‘in North America south in winter

144 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

more or less regularly to latitude 40°’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Cherry
county (J. M. Bates); ‘‘a very irregular winter resident’’ (I. S. Trostler);
Sioux county, common (George Toole); Lincoln, Dec. 7 (D. A. Haggard); Lin-
coln, Nov. 14, 28—fourteen specimens (J. 8. Hunter); Fullerton, Nance
county (C. E. Barker).

\
\

Fic. 45.—Bohemian Waxwing.

619. Ampelis cedrorum ( Vieil/.).—Crpar Brrp; CepAaR WAx-
WING; CHERRY BIRD.

West Point, Omaha, Tekamah, Lincoln, ete. (L. Bruner); ‘‘ only a few times
in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Anirregular resident, generally common”? (Taylor) ;
‘‘The whole of temperate North America’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow);
Peru, common—may breed (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates);

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 145

Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘not uncommon as a late migrant in autumn and
early spring—probably breeds in Nebraska”? (I. 8. Trostler); Lincoln, March
8 (D. A. Haggard).

Famity LANIIDZA.—SuHriKEs.

The shrikes or “butcher birds” are known as veritable “brigands”
or “pirates” when it comes to the destruction of other forms of life.
They are true to their name, and “butcher” for pastime large num-
bers of insects, mice, lizards, small snakes, and even birds, They
then fly to some thorn bush or barb-wire fence and impale the luck-
less victim and leave it for future use, or to dry up and finally blow
away. The good they do will outweigh the harm.

621. Lanius borealis Viei//l.—Great NortHerRN SHRIKE.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Rulo, ete. (L. Bruner); ‘‘fall of the year
sparingly’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Winter resident, common, arrive in September and
probably leave in March”? (Taylor); ‘‘South in winter to about latitude 35° ”’
(Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha (L.Skow) ; Peru, winter resi-
dent (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Lincoln (R. E. Dinges, J.
B. White, D. A. Haggard, etc.); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘ quite a common
winter resident, arriving at the same time and preying upon the smaller spar-
rows’? (I. S. Trostler); Sioux county, Feb. 27, 1896 (W. D. Hunter).

Fic. 46.—Great Northern Shrike.

622. Lanius ludovicianus Jinn.— LoaaERHEAD SHRIKE;
ButcHer Brirp.

West Point—breeding, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘“ North irregularly to Ohio, Ver-
mont, etc.” (Goss); Lincoln (Dr. F. L. Riser).

146 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

622a. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Swains.)—WHITE-
RUMPED SHRIKE.

West Point, Lincoln, Omaha (L. Bruner); Lincoln—breeding (R. E. Dinges);
‘‘Rather abundant in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, arrive in
April and found as late as September” (Taylor); ‘‘ The central regions of North
America’’ (Goss); Beatrice—nesting (A. S. Pearse); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru,
breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds
(F. A. Colby); ‘‘Summer resident—breeds, not common, earliest seen March
23—departs late in September’’ (I. S. Trostler).

Famity VIREONIDZ.— V 1Re0s.

The food of the various ‘“greenlets” or vireos is made up almost
entirely of insects, of which a large per cent is composed of the cat-
erpillars of different moths, such as infest trees and the larger shrubs.
They should be protected and encouraged about the orchard in par-
ticular.

624. Vireo olivaceus (Linn.).—RED-EYED VIREO.

Common over eastern half of state—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘common in the
timber belts along the Missouri and its tributaries in Nebraska’’ (Aughey);
‘*Summer resident, abundant, probably arrives in May’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to
the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common
—breeds (G. A. Coleman); common summer resident, arrives May 1, breeds
May 22 to July 1—departs Sept. 1 to 25”’ (I. S. Trostler).

626. Vireo philadelphicus (Cass.).—PHILADELPHIA VIREO.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘common in eastern Nebraska’’ (Aughey);
Omaha (L. Skow).

627. Vireo gilvus ( Vieil/.).—WarBLine VIREO.

West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘abundant in northeastern Nebraska’’ (Aughey) ;
‘‘Summer resident, common, arrives in May”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North America in
general’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeding (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A.
Coleman); ‘‘a not uncommon summer resident, arrives, breeds, and departs
same as RKed-eyed Vireo’’ (I. S. Trostler).

628. Vireo flavifrons Vieill—YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.

Lincoln (L. Bruner); Fairbury (Dr. Eaton); ‘‘Somewhat abundant in south-
eastern Nebraska, but rare north of the Platte’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resi-
dent’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Eastern United States’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru,
common—may breed (G. A. Coleman); Omaha, ‘‘not rare as a summer resi-
dent, arrives about May 1, departs late in August, seen during summer, doubt-
less breeds’? (I. 8. Trostler).

629. Vireo solitarius ( Wi/s.).—BLUE-HEADED VIREO.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Found in the timber belts of eastern
Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, rare, arrives in May’? (Taylor);

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 147

“* Eastern North America, migratory in Kansas’’ (Goss); Omaha, Child’s Point
(L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘a rare summer resident, occasionally seen during May,
June, and July during past six years’’ (I. S. Trostler).
630. Vireo atricapillus Woodh.—Buack-capPED VIREO.
Bellevue (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘a rare straggler, one seen June 19, 1894 (I was
very close to this bird and positively identified it )’’ (I. S. Trostler).
631. Vireo noveboracensis ((ime/.).— WHITE-EYED VIREO.
Omaha, Lincoln, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Occasionally met with in Ne-
braska’’—nesting (Aughey); ‘‘ Probably a summer resident’? (Taylor); ‘‘ West
to the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘ not
uncommon summer resident, arrives early in May, breeds June 24 to 30, de-
parts Sept. 20 to 30”’ (I. S. Trostler).
633. Vireo bellii Aud.—BrEL1L’s Vireo.

Lincoln (L. Bruner); “This bird is sparingly present in Nebraska” (Aughey);
“Summer resident, rare” (Taylor); “From Illinois and Minnesota west to the
eastern base of the Rocky mountains” (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow);
Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby);
“a common summer resident—by far our commonest Vireo, arrives May 1 to
10, breeds May 25 to July 24, departs Aug. 15 to Sept. 1” (I. S. Trostler).

Famity MNIOTILTIDZ.—Woopv WaARBLERS.

In the words of that pleasing writer, Dr. Elliott Coues,* “The war-
blers have we always with us, all in their own good time; they come
out of the south, pass on, return, and are away again, their appearance
and withdrawal scarcely less than a mystery; many stay with us all
summer long, and some brave the winters in our midst. Some of
these slight creatures, guided by unerring instinct, travel true to the
meridian in the hours of darkness, slipping past like a ‘thief in the
night,’ stopping at daybreak from their lofty flights to rest and recruit
for the next stage of the journey. Others pass more leisurely from
tree to tree, in a ceaseless tide of migration, gleaning as they go; the
hardier males, in full song and plumage, lead the way for the weaker
females and the yearlings. With tireless industry do the warblers be-
friend the human race; their unconscious zeal plays due part in the nice
adjustment of nature’s forces, helping to bring about the balance of
vegetable and insect life without which agriculture would be in vain.
They visit the orchard when the apple and pear, the peach, plum, and
cherry are in bloom, seeming to revel carelessly amid the sweet-scented
and delicately-tinted blossoms, but never faltering in their good work.

* Key to North American Birds, p. 288.

148 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

They peer into the crevices of the bark, scrutinize each leaf, and ex-
plore the very heart of the buds, to detect, drag forth, and destroy
those tiny creatures, singly insignificant, collectively a scourge, which
prey upon the hopes of the fruit-grower, and which, if undisturbed,
would bring his care to naught. Some warblers flit incessantly in the
terminal foliage of the tallest trees; others hug close to the scored
trunks and gnarled boughs of the forest kings; some peep from the
thicket, coppice, the impenetrable mantel of shrubbery that decks tiny
water-courses, playing at hide-and-seek with all comers; others more
humble still, descend to the ground, where they glide with pretty
mincing steps and affected turning of the head this way and that, their
delicate flesh-tinted feet just stirring the layer of withered leaves with
which a past season carpeted the ground. We may seek warblers
everywhere in the season; we shall find them a continual surprise; all
mood and circumstance is theirs.”

636. Mniotilta varia (Zinn.)—BLack AND WHITE CREEPING
WARBLER.

West Point, Plattsmouth, Omaha, Lincoln, (L. Bruner); ‘‘ wooded sections
of Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common, arrives in April and
May”’ (Taylor); ‘‘West to the Great Plains’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L.
Skow); Peru, common—may breed (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—breeds
(J. M. Bates); ‘‘common migrant and not uncommon summer resident and
breeder, arrives early in April, departs Sept. 2 to 25—G. W. Sabine saw young
in nest in middle of June, 1894, in northern Sarpy county—breeds about May
15” (1. S. Trostler).

637. Protonotaria citrea (Bodd.).—PrRoTHONOTARY WARBLER.
West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘Have only seen this bird a few times in
southeastern Nebraska” (Aughey); “summer resident, somewhat rare” (Tay-
lor); “North regularly to Georgia, Iowa, and Nebraska’ (Goss); Omaha—
breeds (L. Skow); “a not uncommon summer resident, arrives May 1 to 15,
departs Aug. 25 to Sept. 10—breeds” (I. 8S. Trostler).

639. Helmitherus vermivorus (Gmel.).—WorM-EATING WAR-
BLER.
Omaha (F. J. Brezee); ‘‘extends to Nebraska”’’ (Bull. No. 2, Div. Ornith. );
‘*have only seen this species in the southeastern part of the state’’ (Aughey);
‘‘ West to eastern Nebraska and Texas’’ (Goss); Omaha, ‘‘a rare summer resi-
dent,seen during July and August’’ (I. 8. Trostler).

641. Helminthophila pinus (Linn.).—BLvue-winceD YELLOW
WARBLER.

Omaha, Weeping Water, Lincoln (L. Bruner); “southeastern part of the
state” (Aughey); “West to Nebraska, middle Kansas, and Texas” (Goss);

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 149

Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, rare, probably breeds (G. A. Coleman);
Omaha, “a rare summer resident, probably breeds, but have never found the
nest, earliest seen May 20, latest August 25” (I. S. Trostler).

642. Helminthophila chrysoptera (Jinn.).—GoLpDEN-WINGED
WARBLER.

“Tt has been found a few times in Nebraska” (Bull. No. 2, Div. Ornith.);
“Occasionally seen in eastern Nebraska” (Aughey).

644. Helminthophila virginize (Said).— Virernia’s WARBLER.
“Have only seen one specimen of this bird in southwestern Nebraska”
(Aughey).

645. Helminthophila ruficapilla (Wils.)—Nasnvitte War-
BLER.

West Point, Omaha, Weeping Water (L. Bruner); “This bird arrives in
eastern Nebraska about May 1” (Aughey); “Summer resident, rare, arrives in
May—probably common during migration” (Taylor); ‘““West to the Great
Plains” (Goss); Omaha, “a not uncommon migrant and rare summer resident—
probably a rare breeder” (I. S. Trostler).

646. Helminthophila celata (Say).—OrANGE-cROWNED. WaArR-
BLER.

West Point, Lincoln, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘One specimen mentioned in the
records of the Normal Science Society’”’ (Taylor); ‘‘Quite common in the
middle states and throughout the Mississippi valley ’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow);
Peru, common migrant (G. A. Coleman).

647. Helminthophila peregrina ( Wi/s.) —TENNESSEE WARBLER.
Lincoln, West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Occurs sparingly in eastern Ne-
braska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrive in May’? (Taylor); ‘‘ West
to the base of the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, rare—
may breed (G. A. Coleman); Omaha, ‘‘a somewhat common migrant, May 1 to

15, Sept. 10 to 20” (I. S. Trostler).

648. Compsothlypis americana (Linn.).— Blur Y ELLOW-BACKED
WARBLER; PARULA WARBLER.

“Rearing their young in various parts of Nebraska” (Bull. No. 2, Div.
Ornith. ); “It reaches Nebraska about the 1st of May” (Aughey); “ Migratory,
common, arrive in April and May” (Taylor); “ West to the base of the Rocky
mountains ’’ (Goss).

650. Dendroica tigrina ((Gme/.).—Capr May WARBLER.
Alda (F. W. Powell).

652. Dendroica estiva (Gmel.).— YELLOW WARBLER; SUMMER
YRLLOw Birp,

West Point, Holt county, Omaha, Lincoln, etc. —breeds (L. Bruner); “ Abun-
dant in Nebraska” (Aughey); “Summer resident, abundant, arrives in May”

150 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

(Taylor); “North America at large’’ (Goss); Beatrice, breeding (A. S. Pearse);
Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry
county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (I. A. Colby); “an abun-
dant summer resident, arrives May 1 to 10, breeds May 25 to July 16, departs
Aug. 15 to Sept. 1”’ (I. S. Trostler).

654. Dendroica czrulescens (Gmel.).—BLAck-THROATED BLUE
WARBLER

Omaha, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘Is present in spring and fall during its
migrations’? (Aughey).

655. Dendroica coronata (Linn.).— Y ELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER;
MyrrtrLe WARBLER.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Rulo, Fremont, ete. (L. Bruner); ‘‘It is fre-
quently seen along our timber belts’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrives
in April and May” (Taylor); ‘‘The whole of North America”’ (Goss); Omaha
(L. Skow); Peru, abundant migrant (G. A. Coleman); ‘‘a common migrant,
April 1 to 20, Oct. 1 to Nov. 1”’ (I. 8. Trostler); Crete, Nebr., April 19 (D. A.
Haggard).

656. Dendroica auduboni (Zowns.)—AUDUBON’s WARBLER.
Belmont, on Pine Ridge (L. Bruner); ‘‘One specimen mentioned by Baird

as found in the western part of the state’’ (Taylor); “east to the eastern border
of the Great Plains’’ (Goss).

657. Dendroica maculosa (G mel.) —-MaGnoLia WARBLER; BLACK
AND YELLOW WARBLER.
Omaha (F. J. Brezee); ‘‘ Occasionally seen on its migrations in northeastern
Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare, arrive the first of May’’ (Taylor);
‘* West to the base of the Rocky mountains ’’ (Goss).

658. Dendroica cerulea (Wils.).—CrERULEAN WARBLER.

West Point, Blair (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant in eastern Nebraska along the
wooded river-bottoms, where it is in the habit of breeding’’ (Aughey); summer
resident, common’? (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the Great Plains’’ (Goss); Omaha (L.
Skow); Omaha ‘‘a quite common migrant and not rare summer resident, ar-
rives May 1 to 10, departs latter August—seen in summer and doubtless
breeds ”’ (I. S. Trostler).

659. Dendroica pensylvanica (Linn.).—CHESTNUT-SIDED WAR-
BLER.

Omaha, Weeping Water (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rather common in eastern Nebraska
durivg its migrations’? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrives the last of
April and in September’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the Great Plains’’ (Goss);
Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘not rare migrant and an occasional
summer resident, took a set of four eggs and nest June 23, 1894”? (I.S. Trost-
ler).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 151

660. Dendroica castanea ( Wil/s.).—Bay-BREASTED WARBLER.

‘Tt has been found in Nebraska”’ (Bull. No. 2, Div. Ornith.); ‘‘ Occasionally
met with in eastern Nebraska’’ (Aughey).

661. Dendroica striata (/orst.)—BLack-PoLL WARBLER.

West Point, (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Rather common in eastern Nebraska during its
migrations’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, common, arrives in May (Taylor); ‘‘ West
to the Rocky mountains ’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common—proba-
bly breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Lincoln (F. J.
Brezee); Omaha, ‘‘ quite common migrant, earliest seen May 7, returning in
latter August’’ (I. S. Trostler).

662. Dendroica blackburniz (Gmel.)—BLACKBURNIAN WaAR-
BLER.
West Point, Omaha, (lL. Bruner); ‘‘ occasionally, in eastern Nebraska ”’
(Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the Great Plains ’’ (Goss);
North Platte, ‘‘ transient visitor, common’’ (M. K. Barnum).

663a. Dendroica dominica albilora Ridgw.—Sycamore War-
BLER.

‘Migratory, rare, may breed in the state’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ North to southern
Michigan and northern Illinois, west to eastern Kansas and Texas’? (Goss).

667. Dendroica virens (Gmel.).—BLACK-THROATED GREEN W AR-
BLER.

Omaha, Florence, Weeping Water (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Migratory, rare, has been
seen in June”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ west to the edge of the Great Plains (Goss).

671. Dendroica vigorsii (Aud.).—PINE-CREEPING WARBLER.
Sioux county (L. Bruner); ‘‘ passes through Nebraska in early spring, and
loiters here in autumn’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare, arrives in April and
September ’”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the plains’’ (Goss).

672. Dendroica palmarum ((‘mel.).— Rep-poLL WARBLER;
PaLtM WARBLER.

“Abundant in eastern Nebraska in early spring while passing north”
(Aughey) ; “ Migratory, abundant, arrives in April, May, September, and Oc-
tober” (Taylor); “migrating through the Mississippi valley, and wintering in
the Gulf states” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow).

673. Dendroica discolor ( Vieil/.).—PRatrig WARBLER.

Omaha, West Point (L. Bruner); “eastern Nebraska (Bull. No. 2, Div. Or-
nith.); “Abundant in eastern Nebraska, where it breeds” (Aughey); “Summer
resident, common” (Taylor); “West into Nebraska and Kansas” (Goss);
Omaha (L. Skow).

674. Seiurus aurocapillus (Linn.). — OveN-pirD; GOLDEN-

CROWNED THRUSH.
West Point, Lincoln, Bellevue (L. Bruner); “rather abundant—breeds ”
(Aughey); “Summer resident, common, arrives in April” (Taylor); “West to

152 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the base of the Rocky mountains” (Goss); Child’s Point, Omaha—breeds (L.
Skow); Peru, conmon—breeds (G. A. Coleman); “quite common summer resi-
dent, arrives May 1 to 15, breeds June 1 to 20, departs latter August” (I. S.
Trostler).

675. Seiurus noveboracensis ((mel.).— WarTEeR THRUSH.
“ Occasionally met with in northeastern Nebraska, where, near Ponca, in
Dixon county, I found the young, but never saw the nest” (Aughey); “ Mi-
gratory, rare, probably arrives in May ” (Taylor); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow).

675a. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis (Ridgw.).—GRINNELL’S
Water THRUSH.

West Point, Sioux county, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘east into the Mississippi
valley, straggling to Illinois, Indiana, etc.’’ (Goss).

676. Seiurus motacilla (Vieill.).—Lovuistana Water THRUSH;
LARGE-BILLED WATER THRUSH.

Southeastern Nebraska (Aughey); “is rare in Nebraska” (Bull. No. 2, Div.
Ornith.); ‘“‘ Probably summer resident ’’ (Taylor); “west to the edge of the
Great Plains” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Cole-
man); Omaha, ‘‘a rare summer resident and breeder” (I. 8. Trostler).

677. Geothlypis formosa (JVi/s.).—Krntucky WARBLER.

‘* Rather common in southeastern Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘summer resident,
common, probably arrive in May”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ West to the edge of the Great
Plains’? (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, rare—breeds (G. A. Cole-
man); Omaha, ‘‘one seen by G. W. Sabine, Nov. 28, 1895, in this city ’’ (I. S.
Trostler).

679. Geothlypis philadelphia (/s.).—Mournina WARBLER.
“Found in eastern Nebraska, and breeds in at least the southeastern part”
(Aughey); “ Eastern North America, west to the Great Plains” (Goss); Omaha

(L. Skow).

680. Geothlypis macgillivrayi (Aud.). — Macaiuivray’s
WARBLER.
“Both Baird and Aughey mention this species as seen in extreme western
Nebraska in the month of August” (Taylor).
681. Geothlypis trichas (Linn.).—MAaryLanp YELLOW-THROAT.

West Point, Norfolk, Omaha, Lincoln, etc.—breeds (L. Bruner) ; “Common
in Nebraska and breeds here” (Aughey); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Cherry
county, Sept. 23 (J. M. Bates).

681a. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis Brewst, —WEsTERN
MARYLAND YELLOW THROAT.

West Point, Sioux county, Holt county (L. Bruner); ‘‘summer resident,
abundant, arrives in April and has been seen as late as September ” (Taylor);
“East to the Mississippi valley” (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru,

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 15 )3*

common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Gage county (F. A. Colby); “a quite com-
mon summer resident, arrives April 20 to May 10, breeds June 10 to 20, departs
middle of September’’ (I. S. Trostler).

683. Icteria virens (Linn.).— YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Weeping Water, etc.—breeds (L.
Bruner); ‘‘ Found over the greater part of Nebraska, and breeding in at least
the eastern part of the state’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, abundant, arrives
in May” (Taylor); ‘‘ west to the edge of the Great Plains, north to southern
New England, Ontario, Iowa, etc.’’ (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Pern,
common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Gage county (F. A. Colby); ‘‘an abundant
summer resident, arrives May 1 to Sept. 1, breeds May 26 to June 24, departs
Sept. 1 to 10” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, May 12 (D. A. Haggard).

683a. Icteria virens longicauda (Lawr.).—LonG-TAILeD CuHat.

“*Summer resident, common, arrives in May and has been seen in September ’’

(Taylor); ‘‘ East to the eastern edge of the Great Plains’’ (Goss); Omaha—
breeds (L. Skow); Lincoln, (F. J. Brezee).

J

Fic. 47.—Hooded Warbler.

684. Sylvania mitrata (Gmel.).—HoopED WARBLER.

Southeastern part of the state (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, probably not
uncommon, arrives in May, and has been seen as late as September’’ (Taylor) ;
‘* west to eastern Nebraska and Texas’’ (Goss).

685. Sylvania pusilla (Wils.)—Wuttson’s WARBLER; BLACK-
CAPPED YELLOW WARBLER.

West Point, Omaba (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Met sparingly in both eastern and west-
ern Nebraska”? (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare, arrive in May”’ (Taylor); “‘ west
to and including the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss).

11

154 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

686. Sylvania canadensis (Linn.).—CANADIAN WARBLER.

‘‘Observed only during spring migration in eastern part of state’’ (Aughey);
‘Migratory, rare, arrive in May’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ west to Minnesota, eastern Ne-
braska and Texas’? (Goss).

687. Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.).—American Repsrart.

West Point, Omaha, Blair, Bellevue, Lincoln, ete. —breeds (L. Bruner); “Com-
mon in the timbered river-bottoms of Nebraska, and breeding extensively ”
(Aughey); “Summer resident, common, arrive in May” (Taylor); “west to
and including the Rocky mountains” (Goss); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru,
common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Gage county
(F. A. Colby); ““a common summer resident, arrives May 1 to 10, breeds June
10 to 25, departs Sept. 1 to 15”’ (I. S. Trostler).

Famity MOTACILLIDZ.—W actalits.

697. Anthus pensilvanicus (Jath.).—AmeEricAN Piprr; Tit-
LARK.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); Lancaster county (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory,
rare, arrives in May and September’’ (Taylor); ‘‘The whole of North Amer-
ica’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘a common migrant April 10 to May
1, Sept. 20 to Oct. 10” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln Oct. 19-25 (D. A. Haggard).

700. Anthus spragueii (Aud.)—Spracue’s TiTLArK; Missouri
TITLARK.

West Point, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘One specimen mentioned by Baird’’
(Taylor); ‘‘Interior plains of North America, east to western Manitoba and
eastern Kansas’’ (Goss); Omaha (Iu. Skow).

Famity CINCLIDZE.—Dirrers.

701. Cinclus mexicanus Swains.—AMERICAN DippeR; WATER
OUZEL.

White river in northwest Nebraska (L. Bruner) ; “Otoe county” (Aughey);
“in August on the Niobrara about seven miles from its mouth” (Aughey).

Famity TROGLODYTIDZA.— Wrens, THRASHERS, ETC.

Much could be written concerning the food-habits of the various
members of this group of birds. Three of the species at least are
known to be more or less destructive to fruits, viz., the Catbird,
Brown Thrasher, and Mockingbird. Still if we take into account
what these birds eat during the entire time spent within the state, the
balance sheet stands in favor of the birds as insect destroyers.

The wrens are pre-eminently insect destroyers, and the others are
not much behind them in this respect.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS, 155

702. Oroscoptes montanus (Zowns.).—SaGe THRASHER.

‘‘Mentioned by Baird as collected in extreme western Nebraska’’ (Taylor);
‘*Sage-brush plains of western United States”’ (Ridgeway); ‘“ east to Ft. Lara-
mie and Black Hills’’ (Coues); Hat Creek valley, Nebr. (?) (L. Bruner).

703. Mimus polyglottos (Linn.).—MockINGBIRD.

Omaha, Bellevue, Weeping Water, Nebraska City, Lincoln, ete. (L. Bruner) ;
‘‘Rare in Nebraska’’ (Aughey): ‘‘Summer resident, formerly rare, but be-
coming common”? (Taylor;) ‘‘north to Massachusetts, southern Iowa, southern
Wyoming, ete.’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow).

The food-habits of the Mockingbird matter but little so far as this
bird is concerned in the state of Nebrasia, since it is not at all plen-
tiful even in the extreme southeastern corner of the state. It is safe
to assert, however, that the food of this bird includes an equally large
per cent of insect life as that taken by either the Catbird or Brown
Thrush. |

Fig. 48.—Cathird.

704. Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.).—CarTsirD.

Entire state in suitable places—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant in the
wooded portions of Nebraska”’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, abundant, ar-
rives in April and May”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ west to the western base ef the Rocky
mountains’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—
breeds (L. Skow); Peru, abundant—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry cownty—
breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘an abundant mi-
grant and summer resident”’ (I. S. Trostler).

156 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Professor 8. A. Forbes, whom we have quoted quite extensively in
this paper relative to the food-habits of different ones of our birds,
says of the Catbird: ‘ Remembering that the chief economical service
of the Robin is done before and after the midsummer wealth of fruits
tempts it from the chase of insects, we find it not unreasonable that
the Catbird, coming later and departing earlier, scarcely anticipating
the garden fruits in its arrival and disappearing when the vineyard
and orchard are at their best, should be a much less useful bird than
its companion. The credit I have given it must be still further re-
duced because of its serious depredations in the apple orchard. I
have often seen it busily scooping out the fairest side of the ripest
early apples, unsurpassed in skill and industry at this employment by
the Red-headed Woodpecker or the Blue Jay.”

The percentages of insect food taken by this bird for five months, as
recorded by Forbes, are as follows, beginning with May and ending
with September: 83, 49, 18, 46, 21, or an average of 43. Each
farmer and fruit-grower can judge for himself as to what should be
done with this bird. For my part I would protect, but chastise him.

705. Harporhynchus rufus (Linn.).—Brown THRASHER.

West Point, Holt county, Sioux county, Omaha, Lincoln, ete.—breeds (L.
Bruner); ‘‘ Abundant in Nebraska’? (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, abundant,
arrives in April and remains till October’ (Taylor); ‘‘ west to the Rocky
mountains’? (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—
breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county—
breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘an abundant
summer resident, arrives April 5 to May 20, breeds May 21 to June 15, departs
Sept. 15 to 30”’ (I. S. Trostler).

Although the Brown Thrush or Sandy Mockingbird is known to
feed largely upon fruits, and even to take considerable corn and other
grains, the per cent of insect food eaten by it during the time it is
with us will amount to about 51. This, taken together with its repu-
tation as a songster, will warrant us in abstaining from killing it.
Especially will this be the case where we plant the Russian mulberry
to supply in part the place of the more useful fruits.

715. Salpinctes obsoletus (Say).— Rock WReEn.
Sioux county, West Point, Sidney (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Frequent in Nebraska’’
(Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, common ”’ (Taylor); ‘‘east into western Iowa,
middle Kansas, and Texas’’ (Goss); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates).

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS, 157

718. Thryothorus ludovicianus (/ath.).—Carotina WRreEN.
Rulo (L. Bruner); Richardson county, ‘‘Only saw it once in Nebraska”?
(Aughey); southern Nebraska (Bull. No. 2, Div. Ornith.); ‘‘north to southern
New England and southern Nebraska ’’ (Goss).

Fic. 49.

Carolina Wren.

719. Thryothorus bewickii (Awd.).—Bewick’s WREN.
‘*Rare in Nebraska’”’ (Bull. No. 2, Div. Ornith.); Otoe county (Aughey) ;
‘“north to New Jersey and Minnesota, west to the edge of the Great Plains
and eastern Texas ”’ (Goss).

7196. Thryothorus bewickii bairdi (Salv. & Godm.).—Batrp’s
WREN.
“‘Aughey speaks of finding a nest of 7. bewickii, which were probably 7.
bewickii bairdi’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ From middle Kansas, Colorado and Utah south ”
(Goss).

721. Troglodytes aedon Vieil.— House Wren.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, ete.—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ This species is
abundant in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S. Pearse) ;
Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘an abun-
dant summer resident, arrives April 10 to 25, breeds May 25 to July 30, departs
Sept. 1 to 15”’ (I. S. Trostler).

7216. Troglodytes aedon aztecus (Baird).—Western House
WREN.

West Point, Dawes county (L. Bruner); “common in Nebraska” (Bull. No.
2, Div. Ornith.); “abundant in Nebraska” (Aughey); “summer resident,

158 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

common” (Taylor); “east to Illinois” (Goss*); Peru, common—probably
breeds (G. A. Coleman).

722. Troglodytes hiemalis V‘ei//——WiINTER WREN.

West Point, Blair, Omaha (L. Bruner); Lincoln (Aughey); ‘‘ Winter resi-
dent, rare’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ Eastern North America, west to the Rocky mountains ”’
(Goss); Child’s Point, Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, rare winter visitor (G. A.
Coleman); Omaha, ‘‘a somewhat rare winter resident, arrives Oct. 1 and de-

‘

parts in early spring (I. 8S. Trostler).

Fig. 50.—Brown Creeper.

724. Cistothorus stellaris (Jicht.).—Snort-BILLED MARSH
WREN.

West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); Dixon county, Nebraska—breeding
(Aughey) ; ‘‘Summer resident, rare, probably arrivesin May ”’ (Taylor); ‘‘ west
to the Great Plains’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); ‘‘a rare summer resident,

one pair observed June 2, 1894, at Cut-off lake near Omaha”? (I. 8. Trostler).

* See Goss, Birds of Kansas, p. 612.

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 159

725. Cistothorus palustris ( Wils.).— Lonc-BILLED MarsH
WREN.

Lyons, Omaha, Tekamah, West Point (L. Bruner); ‘‘Only occasionally met
with in the marshes along the Missouri’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, rare,
arrives in May ’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ west to the Rocky mountains ’’ (Goss); Omaha—
breeds (L. Skow) ; Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); ‘‘a common summer
resident, arrives April 10 to 20, breeds June 20 to July 15, latest seen August
10” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, May 23 (D. A. Haggard).

Famity CERTHIIDA..—CreEerpers.

726. Certhia familiaris americana (Bonap.).— BRowNn CREEPER.

West Point, Oakdale, Ponca, Rockport, Omaha, Lincoln, Rulo, ete. (L.
Bruner); ‘‘Found a nest of this bird in a knot-hole, near Dakota City ’’
(Aughey); ‘‘temperate North America, west to the Great Plains’’ (Goss);
Omaha (L. Skow); a somewhat rare resident—breeds (1.8. Trostler); Lincoln,
March 25 (D. A. Haggard).

7266. Certhia familiaris montana Ridgw.—Rocky Mountain
CREEPER.
Sioux county, Feb. 19, 1896 (L. Bruner, W. D. Hunter).

Famity PARIDZE.—NUvtTHATCHES AND TITs.

The members of this family of hardy little birds feed for the most
part on insects. But we lack very definite figures regarding the kinds
and numbers of insects that each destroys. We can be sure, however,
that any favors shown them will not be thrown away.

727. Sitta carolinensis Lath— WHITE-BELLIED NUTHATCH.
West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Recorded by the Normal Science
Society as ‘resident,common’ ’’ (Taylor); ‘‘resident west to the Rocky moun-
tains’’ (Goss); Beatrice (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Gage county
(F. A. Colby); ‘‘quite common resident—breeds in June’ (I. S. Trostler);
Lincoln, March 23 (D. A. Haggard).

727a. Sitta carolinensis aculeata (Cass.).— SLENDER-BILLED
Nut-HATCH.

Blair, Tekamah, Ponca (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Frequently met with in the timbered
tracts of eastern Nebraska’’ (Aughey); Sioux county, Dec. 12,1895 (L. Bruner);
‘*A rare resident in vicinity of Omaha—breeds”’ (1.8. Trostler); Sioux county,
Feb. 19 to 26, fairly common (W. D. Hunter, L. Skow).

728. Sitta canadensis Linn.—RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH.

Lincoln (L. Bruner, B. Shimek, D. A. Haggard); Omaha (F. J. Brezee) ; “ Oc-
casionally in northeastern Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Somewhat rare, has been

160 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
seen in June and September” (Taylor); ‘*The whole of wooded temperate
North America ’’ (Goss); Sioux county, Feb. 25, 26, 1896 (L. Skow).

729. Sitta pusilla Lath—Brown-HEADED NuTHATCH.
Sioux county, Feb. 26, 1896, ‘‘a single specimen of a nuthatch with brown
head seen but not obtained ’’ (L. Skow).

Fig. 51.—White-bellied Nuthatch.

730. Sitta pygmea Vig.—Pyemy NuTHatcu.
Niobrara river in northern Nebraska (Aughey); Child’s Point, Douglas
county (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘a rare resident, breeds’? (I. S. Trostler).

731. Parus bicolor Linn.—Turrep Trirmouse.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Rulo, etc. (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant in eastern
Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘“‘ Common in May and June, probably a constant resi-
dent” (Taylor); ‘‘north to New Jersey and southern Nebraska’’ (Goss); Peru,
rare—may breed (G. A. Coleman); Omaha, ‘‘a rare resident, seen only in
wilder parts”’ (I. S. Trostler); Rulo, April 18 (D. A. Haggard).

735. Parus atricapillus Linn.—BLack-cappeD TITMOUSE.
Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); Lincoln (W. D. Hunter); ‘‘ Resident, com-
mon’? (Taylor); ‘‘ west to the edge of the Great Plains’’ (Goss); De Witt (A.
S. Pearse); Ft. Robinson, Sioux county, Dec. 13, 1895 (L. Bruner); Omah a—
breeds (L Skow); Cherry county—breeds (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds
(F. A. Colby); ‘‘an abundant resident, breeds April 22 to May 25”’ (I. S. Trost-
ler).
735a. Parus atricapillus septentrionalis (Marris).—Lone -
TAILED CHICKADEE.

West Point, Tekamah, Sioux county, Lincoln—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Very
abundant in eastern Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Resident, common’’ (Taylor) ;

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 161

“east to eastern Kansas and Manitoba’’ (Goss); Ft. Robinson, Sioux county,
Dec. 13, 1895 (L. Bruner); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Cherry county—breeds
(J. M. Bates); ‘‘a not rare resident, commoner in winter’’ (I. S. Trostler);
Sioux county, Feb. 19 to 27, common (W. D. Hunter, L. Skow); Lincoln,
March 3 (D. A. Haggard).

738. Parus gambeli Ridgw.—Mountain CHICKADEE.
‘‘Mentioned by Baird as collected in August ’’ (Taylor).

740. Parus hudsonicus Forst.—HupsonIAN CHICKADEE.

On Dee. 13, 1895, a bird was seen by me about nine miles northwest of Ft.
Robinson that was probably this species (L. Bruner).

Famity SYLVIIDA.—Wakrscers, KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS.

748. Regulus satrapa Licht.—GoLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET.

West Point (L. Bruner); Lincoln (W. D. Hunter); ‘‘Abundant during
some years in northern Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘eastern and northern North
America’’ (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Omaha, ‘‘a quite common winter resi-
dent, arrives Oct. 1 to 15, departs March 5 to 20”’ (I. S. Trostler); Long Pine,
April 9, 1896 (J. M. Bates).

749. Regulus calendula (Linn.).—Rusy-crowNED KINGLET.

West Point, Lincoln, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘Only occasionally met with in
Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare, arrive in April and May” (Taylor);
‘North America’? (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Peru, common migrant (G. A.
Coleman) ; Omaha, ‘‘a not rare winter resident—dates same as preceding spe-
cies’’ (I. S. Trostler).

751. Polioptila ceerulea (Linn.).—BLuE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.

West Point (L. Bruner); eastern Nebraska (Aughey); ‘‘ Has been seen in
April and June, probably breeds in the state’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ United States,
chiefly south of 42°’? (Goss); Peru, common—probably breeds (G. A. Cole-
man); ‘‘a rare summer resident, two were seen Sept. 10, 1895, in north part of
Sarpy county ”’ (I. S. Trostler).

Famity TURDIDA.—TurusueEs, Souiraires, BLUEBIRDS, ETC.

The thrushes are all beneficial as insect destroyers, and might be
well compared with the Robin, which is described quite fully beyond,
only they are even less liable to commit injuries to fruits.

754. Myadestes townsendii (Aud.).—TownsEnp’s 5S LITAIRE.
Niobrara river (Aughey); Alda (Powell); southeastern Nebraska (Hall);
‘‘east to Dakota and Texas”’ (Goss); Sioux county, Feb. 19, 1896 (L. Skow).

755. Turdus mustelinus Gme.—Woop THRUSH.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue (L. Bruner); ‘“‘Abundant in all the
woodlands of eastern Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘Summer resident, abundant,

162 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

arrives the first of May, and has been found as late as October’’ (Taylor);
‘‘north to Massachusetts, Ontario, Wisconsin, and eastern Dakota’’ (Goss) ;
Beatrice (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds
(G. A. Coleman); Gage county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a quite commonsum-
mer resident—breeds’’ (I. S. Trostler).

756. Turdus fuscescens Steph. Witson’s THrusH.
West Point, Omaha (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Occasionally in Nebraska, especially in
the southeastern part of the state’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ Migratory, rare, arrive the first
of May’’ (Taylor); ‘‘ west to the plains’’ (Goss); ‘‘a rare summer resident, a
pair seen in East Omaha, in thicket, May 22, 1894, where they probably bred ”’
(I. S. Trostler).

757. Turdus alicis Paird.—GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH.

‘* Migratory, rare, arrive in May’’ (Taylor); ‘‘eastern and northern North
America, west to the Rocky mountains’’ (Goss) ; ‘‘ west to the plains (A. O,
U. Check List).

758a. Turdus ustulatus swainsonii (Caban.).—OLIVE-BACKED
THRUSH. ; |

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); ‘‘Abundant in eastern Nebraska”

(Aughey); “ Migratory, common, arrive in May” (Taylor); ‘‘ west to and in-

cluding the Rocky mountains” (Goss); Omaha (L. Skow); Valentine and

Long Pine (J. M. Bates); “migratory, rare, one flock and well observed Sept.
16, 1895, near Papillion” (I. S. Trostler).

7596. Turdus aonalaschke pallasii (Caban.). — Hermit
THRUSH.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln (L. Bruner); Alda—breeds (Bull. No. 2, Div.

Ornith.); “Have seen a few of this species in eastern Nebraska” (Aughey);

‘““ west casually to the Great Plains’’ (Goss); Fairbury (M. L. Eaton); Omaha
(L. Skow).

761. Merula migratoria (Linn.).—Amertcan Rosin.

All of Nebraska—breeds (L. Bruner); “ Resident, abundant’? (Taylor) ;
“Not abundant in Nebraska, but slowly increasing’’ (Aughey); “ Northern
and eastern North America’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt—breeding (A. S.
Pearse); Beatrice, De Witt—nesting (A. S. Pearse, F. A. Colby); Omaha—
breeds (L. Skow); Peru, common—breeds (G. A. Coleman);, Cherry county—
breeds and sometimes winters (J. M. Bates); Gage county—breeds (F. A.
Colby); “an abundant resident except in coldest winters, breeds April 23 to
June 20” (I. S. Trostler).

The Robin has certainly been accused often enough of being a first-
class rascal to warrant the belief that there must be at least some
grounds for such accusations being made.

In his examination of 114 stomachs of this bird, taken during ten

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 163

months of the year, Professor Forbes, of Illinois, found the contents
to consist of 65 per cent insects and 34 per cent of fruits and seeds.

In the estimates of these food percentages taken by the Robin, as
well as by other birds, bulk for bulk is taken, 7. e., a quart of cater-
pillars or other insects is equivalent to a quart of cherries or a quart
of berries.

Professor Forbes asks this question: ‘‘ Will the destruction of seven-
teen quarts of average caterpillars, including at least eight quarts of
cut-worms, pay for twenty-four quarts of cherries, blackberries, cur-
rants, and grapes?” and then answers it in these words: “To this
question I, for my own part, can only reply that I do not believe that
the horticulturist can sell his small fruits anywhere in the ordinary
markets of the world at so high a price as to the Robin, provided that
he uses proper diligence that the little huckster doesn’t overreach him
in the bargain.”

Much more might be said in favor of this bird had I the time and
space at my command.

761a. Merula migratoria propinqua Ridgw.—WeEsTERN Rosin.

‘‘Western United States, north to British Columbia, east to the eastern edge
of the Great Plains’’ (Goss).

766. Sialia sialis (Zinn.).—BLUueEpirRD.

West Point, Omaha, Lincoln, etc.—breeds (L. Bruner); ‘‘ Resident, abun-
dant’’. (Taylor); ‘‘ Abundant in Nebraska’’ (Aughey); ‘‘ west to base of
Rocky mountains’’ (Goss); Beatrice, De Witt (A. S. Pearse); Omaha—breeds
*(L.Skow); Peru —breeds (G. A. Coleman); Cherry county (J. M. Bates); Gage
county—breeds (F. A. Colby); ‘‘a common summer resident, breeds May 1 to
July 15, departs Sept. 20 to Oct. 15” (I. S. Trostler); Lincoln, March 23 (D.
A. Haggard).

767. Sialia mexicana occidentalis (Zowns.)—WestERN Biue-
BIRD.
“Once on the Niobrara” (Aughey). -

768. Sialia arctica Swains.—Rocky Mountain BLUEBIRD.

Sioux county, Dawes county—breeds, Sidney, Pine Bluffs (L. Bruner) ;
Western Nebraska (Aughey, Baird); “east into Dakota and Texas” (Goss).*

* Persons wishing to take up the study of our birds systematically will find
Ridgeway’s “ Manual of North American Birds” indispensable.

164 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

APPENDIX.

THE BIRD LAW OF NEBRASKA.
(Consolidated Statutes of Nebraska, Cobbey, 1891, and Sessions Laws of 1893 and
1895. )

Sec. 5664. It shall be unlawful for any person in the state of Ne-
braska to knowingly and intentionally kill, injure, or harm, except on
the lands owned by such person, any robin, lark, thrush, blue-bird,
king-bird, sparrow, wren, jay, swallow, turtle-dove, oriole, wood-
pecker, yellowhammer, cuckoo, yellow-bird, bobolink, or other bird or
birds of like nature that promote agriculture and horticulture by feed-
ing on noxious worms and insects, or that are attractive in appearance
or cheerful in song. Any person violating any of the provisions of
this section shall be fined not less than three (3) nor more than (10)
dollars for each bird killed, injured, or harmed.

Src. 5666. (As amended in Session Laws, 1893.) It shall also be
unlawful for any person, at any time, by the aid or use of any swivel,
punt gun, big gun (so called), or any other than the common shoulder
gun; or by the aid or use of any punt boat, or sneak boat used for car-
rying such gun, to catch, kill, wound, or destroy, or to pursue after
with intent to catch, kill, wound or destroy, upon any waters, bays,
rivers, marshes, mud flats, or any cover to which wild fowl resort
within the state of Nebraska, any wild goose, wood duck, teal, canvas-
back, blue-bill, or other wild duck, or to destroy or disturb the eggs
of any of the birds above named; and any person offending against
any of the provisions of this act shall be fined in any sum not less
than two ($2) dollars, nor more than twenty ($20) dollars, for each
offense, or be imprisoned in the county jail not more than twenty (20)
days.

Sec. 5667. (In part.) It shall be unlawful for any person to kill,
ensnare, or trap any grouse between the first day of January and the
first day of September in each year, or to kill, ensnare, trap, or net
quail or wild turkey between the first day of January and the first
day of October in each year, or to ensnare, trap, or net the same at
any time of the year, or to buy, sell, ship, transport, or carry, or have

SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 165

in possession any such animals or birds, between the dates within
which the killing, ensnaring, trapping, or netting of such animals or
birds is prohibited by law. It shall also be unlawful for any person,
agent, or employee of any association, corporation, railroad company,
or express company to receive, carry, transport, or ship any such ani-
mal or bird at any time of the year. It shall be unlawful for any
person to go upon the premises of another person or corporation for
the purpose of hunting, trapping, netting, ensnaring, or killing any
animal or bird at any season of the year, unless by the consent of the
owner or owners of said premises. It is further enacted that any
person, agent, or employe, as aforesaid, who shall violate any provis-
ion of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon
conviction thereof shall pay a fine of fifteen ($15) dollars for each
* * * wild turkey so as aforesaid killed, trapped, ensnared, netted,
bought, sold, shipped, transported, or held in possession in violation
of this section, and the sum of five ($5) dollars for each grouse or
quail so as aforesaid killed, trapped, ensnared, netted, bought, sold,
shipped, transported, or held in possession in violation of the provis-
ions of this section. Having in possession any of the named animals
or birds between said dates shall be deemed and taken as presumptive
evidence that the same were killed, ensnared, netted, or trapped in
violation of this section, and the civil authorities of any city, town,
or precinct where any animal or bird shall have been killed, or held
in possession in violation of law be found, are hereby authorized to
cause the same to be seized with or without warrant, and to be dis-
tributed among the poor persons of such city, town, or precinct ; and
any person who shall go upon the land of another, in violation of this
section, shall, upon conviction thereof, pay for such offense in any sum
not less than five ($5) dollars, nor more than fifty ($50) dollars, and
shall be liable to the owner of the premises in an action for trespass.

Also “An act to protect Mongolian pheasants” (Session Laws,
1895, Senate File No. 38):

Be it Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Nebraska:

Section 1. It shall be unlawful for any person in the state of Ne-
braska for and during the term of six years from and after the passage
of this act, to injure, take, kill, expose or offer for sale or have in
possession, except for breeding purposes, any ring-neck Mongolian

166 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

pheasant, any green Japanese pheasant, any copper pheasant, or schol-
meringn, any tragopan pheasant, silver pheasant or golden pheasant,
being the species of pheasants imported into the United States by the
Hon. O. N. Denny, ex-United States consul-general to Shanghai,
China.

Sec. 2. Any person violating the provisions of this act shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall
be punished by a fine of not less than fifty ($50) dollars nor more than
one hundred ($100) dollars, and in default of payment of the fine im-
posed shall be imprisoned in the county jail at the rate of one day for
each two dollars of the fine imposed.

Sec. 3. The one-half of all fines imposed and collected under the
provisions of this act shall be paid to the informer, and the rest into.
the county treasury of the county in which the crime was committed.

Sec. 4. Justice courts shall have jurisdiction of the offenses defined
in this act.

Src. 5. Whereas an emergency exists, this act shall take effect and
be in force from and after its passage.

Approved March 30th, A. D. 1895,

INDEX TO NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS.

Acanthis linaria, 131
linaria rostrata, 131
Accipiter atricapillus, 88 ©
atricapillus striatulus, 89
cooperi, 87
velox, 87
Actitis macularia, 76
ZXchmophorus occidentalis, 58
AKgialtis melodia circumcincta, 77
montana, 77
nivosa, 77
semipalmata, 77
vocifera, 76
Aeronautes melanoleucus, 113
Agelaius pheeniceus, 125
Aix sponsa, 64
Alaudide, 116
Alcedinide, 104
Ammodramus bairdi, 135
cadacutus nelsoni, 135
henslowii, 135
leconteii, 135
sandwichensis alaudinus, 135
sandwichensis savanna, 134

savannarum passerinus, 125, 135

savannarum perpallidus, 135
Ampelide 143
Ampelis cedrorum, 144

garrulus, 143
Ampelocoma woodhouseii, 121
Anas americana, 63

boschas, 62

carolinensis, 63

cyanoptera, 64

discors, 64

obscura, 63

penelope, 63

strepera, 63
Anatide, 62

INDEX.

Anhinga, 61
anhinga, 61
Anhingide, 61
Anser albifrons gambeli, 66
Anseres, 62
Anthus pensilvanicus, 154
spraguelii, 154
Antrostomus vociferus, 112
Aphrizide, 78
Appendix, 164
Aquila chrysaetos, 92
Archibuteo ferrugineus, 92
lagopus sancti-johannis, 91
Ardea candidissima, 68
coerulea, 68
egretta, 68
herodias, 68
virescens, 69
Ardeidez, 68
Ardetta exilis, 68
Arenaria interpres, 78
Asio accipitrinus, 96
wilsonius, 96
Avocet, American, 72
Aythya affinis, 65
americana, 64
collaris, 65
marila nearctica, 65
vallisneria, 65

Bartramia longicauda, 75
Bee-hbird, 113, 114
food-habits of, 113
Bird, Butcher, 145
Cedar, 143, 144
Cherry, 144
Indigo, 141
Summer Yellow, 149
day in our schools, 56
law of Nebraska, 164-166

167

168

Birds, as destroyers of weed seeds, 55
better known than other animals, 50
distribution of, 51
fond of joking, 52
food-habits of, 53, 54, 56
how numerous, 50, 53, 54
list of Nebraska, 57-163
migration of, 51
Nebraska as a home for, 57
nest building of, 52
numbers of insects destroyed by, 54
plumage of, 52
remarks about, in general, 50-56
speed of flight, 51
their relation to horticulture, 50
their relation to other animals, 50
variation of, in size, 51
Gallinaceous, 78
Perching, 113
of prey, 84

Bittern, 68
Least, 68
love-song of, 52

Blackbird, Brewer’s, 128
Crow, 129, 130

food-habits of, 129, 130
ted-winged, 124, 125
Rusty, 128

Yellow-headed, 124, 125

Bluebird, 163
Rocky Mountain, 163
Western, 163

Bluebirds, food-habits of, 161

Bobolink, 124

Bob-white, 79, 80

Bonassa umbellus, 81

Botaurus lentiginosus, 68

Brant, 67

Branta bernicla, 67
canadensis, 67
canadensis hutchinsii, 67

Brants, 62

Brown Thrush as an insect destroyer, 56
injuring apples, 56

Bunting, Baird’s, 135
Black-throated, 141
Indigo, 141
Lark, 135, 141

NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Bunting, Lazuli, 141
Snow, 133

Bubo virginianus, 99
virginianus arcticus, 100
virginianus saturatus, 100
virginianus subarcticus, 100

Bubonide, 96

Buteo borealis, 89
borealis calurus, 90
borealis harlani, 90
borealis kriderii, 90
latissimus, 91
lineatus, 90
swainsoni, 91

Buzzard, Ferruginous, 92
Turkey, 85

Calamospiza melanocorys, 141
Calcarius lapponicus, 133
ornatus, 134
pictus, 134
Calidris arenaria, 74
Campephilus principalis, 107
Camp Robber, 118
Caprimulgide, 112
Cardinalis cardinalis, 140
Carpodacus cassini, 130, 131
purpureus, 130
Carrion Crow, nature of food, 86
Catbird, 154, 155
food-habits of, 156
Catharista atrata, 85
Cathartes aura, 85
Cathartide, 85
Centrocercus urophasianus, 83
Ceophlzus pileatus, 109
Certhia familiaris americana, 159
familiaris montana, 159
Certhiidz, 159
Ceryle aleyon, 104
Cheetura pelagica, 113
Charadriide, 76
Charadrius dominicus, 76
squatarola, 76
Charitonetta albeola, 65
Chat, Long-tailed, 153
Yellow-breasted, 153
Chelidon erythrogastra, 142

INDEX TO NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS.

Chen cosrulescens, 66
hyperborea, 66
hyperborea nivalis, 66

Chewink, 139

Chickadee, Hudsonian, 161
Long-tailed, 160
Mountain, 161

‘Chonodestes grammacus, 135

Chordeiles virginianus, 112
virginianus henryi, 112

Cinclidz, 154

Cinclus mexicanus, 154

Cinconiide, 68

Cireus hudsonius, 87

Cistothorus palustris, 159
stellaris, 158

Clangula hyemalis, 66

Clivicola riparia, 143

Coccothraustes vespertinus, 130

Coccy ges, 103

Coccyzus americanus, 104
erythrophthalmus, 104

Colaptes auratus, 111
cafer, 112

Colinus virginianus, 79

Columbe, 83

Columbide, 83

Colymbus auritus, 58
holbeellii, 58
nigricollis californicus, 58

Compsothlypis americana, 149

‘Contopus borealis, 115
richardsonii, 115
virens, 115

Conurus carolinensis, 103

Coot, 72

Cormorant, Double-crested, 61
Florida, 61
Mexican, 61

Corvide, 116

Corvus corax sinuatus, 121

‘Cowbird, 124, 125
parasitic habits of, 125

‘Crane, Little Brown, 70
Sandhill, 70
Whooping, 70

‘Creeper, Brown, 158, 159
Rocky Mountain, 159

12

Crossbill, American, 131
Mexican, 131
White-winged, 131

Crow, Common, 118, 122

Common, food-habits, 122, 123

Carrion, 85, 86

Cuckoo, Black-billed, 104
Yellow-billed, 104

Cuckoos, caterpillar destroyers, 103

Cuculide, 103

Curlew, Eskimo, 76
Hudsonian, 76
Long-billed, 76

Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus, 124

Cyanocitta cristata, 118
stelleri annectars, 118

Dabchick, 59
Dafila acuta, 64
Darters, 61

169

Dendragapus obscurus richardsonii, 81

Dendroica zstiva, 149
auduboni, 150
blackburniz, 151
czrulea, 150
czrulescens, 150
castanea, 151
coronata, 150
discolor, 151
dominica albilora, 151
maculosa, 150
palmarum, 151
pennsylvanica, 125, 150
striata, 151
tigrina, 149
vigorsii, 151
virens, 151

Dickcissel, 141

Dipper, American, 154

Diver, Red-throated, 59

Diving birds, 57

Dolochonyx oryzivorus, 124

Dove, Carolina, 84
Mourning, 84
Turtle, 84

Dowitcher, 73
Long-billed, 73

170 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Dryobates pubescens, 107 Empidonax flaviventris, 115

pubescens gairdenerii, 107 minimus, 116

villosus, 107 traillii, 115

villosus harrisii, 107 virescens, 115

villosus leucomelas, 107 English Sparrow, injurious to fruit, 56-
Duck, American Widgeon, 63 Ereunetes occidentalis, 74

Baldpate, 63 pusillus, 74

Barrow’s Golden-eye, 65 Erismatura rubida, 66

Black, 63

Falco columbarius, 94
mexicanus, 93
peregrinus anatum, 94
richardsonii, 94
rusticolus gyrfaleo, 93
sparverius, 95

Falcon, Peregrine, 94
Prairie, 93, 94

Falconide, 86

Finch, Cassin’s Purple, 131
Grass, 134
Lark, 135
Lazuli, 141
Purple, 130

Blue-bill, 65
Blue-winged Teal, 64
Buffle-head, 65
Butterball, 65
Canvas-back, 65
Cinnamon Teal, 64
Dusky, 63

Gadwall, 63
Golden-eye, 65
Green-winged Teal, 63
Harlequin, 66

Lesser Scaup, 65
Little Blue-bill, 65

aad i es Flicker, 106, 107, 111

u ’ Red-shafted, 112
Pintail, 64 Yellow-shafted, 111
Red-head, 64

Flycatcher, Acadian, 115
Arkansas, 114
Cassin’s, 121

Ring-necked, 65
Rocky-mountain Whistler, 65

Ruddy, 66 Great-crested, 114
Seaup, 65

Green-crested, 115
Shoveller, 64 Least, 116
Spirit, 65

Olive-sided, 115

Scissor-tailed, 114

Traill’s, 115

Yellow-bellied, 115
Flycatchers, food-habits of, 113

Tyrant, 113

Sprigtail, 64

Summer, 64

Surf Scoter, 66
Whistler, 65
White-winged Scoter, 66

id oa Fringillidz, 130
: Fullica americana, 72
Eagle, Bald, 93 Galeoscoptes carolinesis, 155
Golden, 92 Gallinz, 78
White-headed, 93 Gallinago delicata, 73
Ectopistes migratorius, 84 Gallinula galeata, 71
Egret, Great White, 68 Gallinule, Florida, 71
Little White, 68 Purple, 71
Elanoides forficatus, 86 Geothlypis formosa, 152

Elanus leucurus, 86 macgillivrayi, 152

INDEX TO NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS,

Geothlypis philadelphia, 152
trichas, 152
trichas occidentalis, 152
Glaucionetta clangula americana, 65
islandica, 65
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 161
Godwit, Hudsonian, 75
Marbled, 74
Goldfinch, American, 131
Pine, 132
Goose, American White-fronted, 66
Bernicle, 67
Blue, 66
Canada, 67
Greater Snow, 66
Hutchin’s, 67
Lesser Snow, 66
Goshawk, 90
American, 88
Western, 89
Grackle, Bronzed, 128
Purple, 128
Grebe, American Eared, 58
American Red-necked, 58
Horned, 58
Pied-billed, 59
Western, 58
Grebes, food-habits of, 57
Greenlets, 146
Gresbeak, Black-headed, 140
Blue, 140
Cardinal, 140
Evening, 130
Pine, 130
Rose-breasted, 140
Western Blue, 141
Grouse, Columbian Sharp-tailed, 82
Common Sharp-tailed, 82
Pinnated, 81
Prairie Sharp-tailed, 82, 83
Richardson’s Dusky, 81
Ruffed, 81
Sage, 83
Sharp-tailed, 78
Gruide, 70
Grus americana, 70
canadensis, 70
mexicana, 70

Guiraca czerulea, 140

cerulea eurhyncha, 141

Gull, Bonaparte’s, 60

Franklin’s, 60
Great Black-backed, 60
Herring, 60
Laughing, 60
Ring-billed, 60
Sabine’s, 60
Gulls, food-habits of, 59
Gyrfalcon, 93
McFarlane’s, 93

Habia ludoviciana, 140
melanocephala, 140
Heematopus palliatus, 78
Halizetus leucocephalus, 93
Harporhynchus rufus, 156

Hawk, American Rough-legged, 91

American Sparrow, 95
Broad-winged, 91
Cooper’s, 87, 89
Duck, 94
Ferruginous Rough-leg, 92
Fish, 95
Harlan’s, 90
Krider’s, 90
Marsh, 87, 88
Pigeon, 94
Red-shouldered, 90, 91
Red-tailed, 89
Sharp-shinned, 87
Swainson’s, 91, 92
Western Red-tailed, 90
Hawks, food-habits of, 84, 85
Hell-diver, 59
Helmintherus vermivorus, 148
Helminthophila celata, 149
chrysoptera, 149
peregrina, 149
pinus, 148
ruficapilla, 149
virginiz, 149
Herodiones, 67

Heron, Black-crowned Night, 69

Great Blue, 68
Green, 69
Little Blue, 68

171

LZ NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Heron, Snowy, 68
Yellow-crowned Night, 69
Himantopus mexicanus, 72
Hirundinid, 142
Histrionicus histrionicus, 66
Hummingbird, Broad-tailed, 113
Ruby-throated, 113
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis, 61

Ibide, 67
Ibis, Glossy, 67
White-faced Glossy, 67
Wood, 68
Icteria virens, 153
virens longicauda, 153
Icteridz, 124
Icterus bullocki, 128
glabula, 127
spurius, 126
Ictinia mississippiensis, 86
Inornis martinica, 71
Introduction, 48

Jaeger, Pomarine, 59

Jay, Black-headed, 118
Blue, 118, 119, 121
Blue, food habits, 156
Canada, 121
Long-crested, 120, 121
Pinon, 118, 124
Steller’s, 121
Woodhouse’s, 121

Junco, 138
aikeni, 138
annectens, 138
caniceps, 139
Gray-headed, 139
hyemalis, 138
hyemalis oregonus, 138
hyemalis shufeldti, 138
Oregon, 138
Pink-sided, 138
Shufeldt’s, 138
White-winged, 138

Killdeer, 76

Kingbird, 113, 114
Kingfisher, Belted, 104, 105
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 161

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned, 161

Kite, Mississippi, 86
Swallow-tailed, 86, 87
White-tailed, 86

Knot, 73

Laniids, 145
Lanius, borealis, 145
ludovicianus, 145
ludovicianus excubitoroides, 146
Laride, 59
Lark, Desert Horned, 116
Horned, 116
Pallid Horned, 116
Prairie Horned, 116
Shore, 116
White-throated Horned, 116
Larus argentatus smithsonius, 60
atricilla, 60
delawarensis, 60
franklinii, 60
marinus, 60
philadelphia, 60
Leucosticte, Gray-crowned, 131
tephracotis, 131
Limicoliz, 72
Limosa fedoa, 74
heemastica, 75
Longipennes, 59
Longspur, Chestnut-collared, 134
Lapland, 133
McCown’s, 134
Smith’s, 134
Loon, 59
Lophodytes cucullatus, 62
Loxia curvirostra minor, 131
curvirostra stricklandi, 131
leucoptera, 131

Macaws, 103
Macrochires, 112
Macrorhamphus griseus, 73
scolopaceus, 73
Magpie, American, 118
Martin, House, 142
Purple, 142
Meadowlark, 124, 126
food-habits of, 124
Western, 126

INDEX TO NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS.

Megascops asio, 98
asio maxwelliz, 99
Melanerpes carolinus, 111
erythrocephalus, 109
torquatus, 110
Meleagris gallopavo, 83
Melospiza fasciata, 139
georgiana, 139
lincolnii, 139
Merganser, American, 62
americanus, 62
Hooded, 62
Red-breasted, 62
serrator, 62
Merlin, Richardson’s, 94
Merula migratoria, 162
migratoria propinqua, 163
Micropalama himantopus, 73
Micropodide, 113
Mimus polyglottos, 155
Milvulus forficatus, 114
Mniotilta varia, 148
Mniotiltids, 147
Mockingbird, 154, 155
Sandy, food-habits, 156
Molothrus ater, 124
Motacillide, 154
Mud Hen, 72
Myadestes townsendii, 161
Myiarchus crinitus, 114

Nighthawk, 112
Nucifraga columbiana, 123
Numenius borealis, 76
hudsonicus, 76
longirostris, 76
Nutcracker, Clark’s, 123
Maximillian’s, 124
Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 160
Pygmy, 160
Red-bellied, 159
Slender-billed, 159
White-bellied, 159, 160
Nyctala acadica, 98
tengmalmi richardsoni, 98
Nyctea nyctea, 100
Nycticorax nycticorax nevius, 69
violaceus, 69

Oidemia deglandi, 66
perspicillata, 66

Olor buccinator, 67
columbianus, 67

Oriole, Baltimore, 127
Bullock’s, 128
Orchard, 126, 127

Orioles, as insect destroyers, 56
injurious to fruit, 56

Oroscoptes montanus, 155

Osprey, 95

Otocoris alpestris, 116
alpestris arenicola, 116
alpestris leucolema, 116
alpestris praticola, 116

Oven-bird, 151

Owl, American Barn, 96
American Hawk, 100
American Long-eared, 96
Arctic Horned, 100
Barred, 97
Burrowing, 101, 102
Hawk, 102
Dusky Horned, 100
Great Gray, 98, 99
Great Horned, 99, 101
Great Horned, song, 52
Monkey-faced, 96
Richardson’s Saw-whet, 98
Rocky-mountain Screech, 99
Saw-whet, 98, 100
Screech, 98
Short-eared, 96, 97
Snowy, 100
Western Horned, 100

| Owls, food-habits of, 84, 85

Paludicole, 70
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, 95

| Paridz, 159

food-habits of, 159
Paroquet, Carolina, 103
Partridges, 78
Parus atricapillus, 160
atricapillus septentrionalis, 160
bicolor, 160
gambeli, 161
hudsonicus, 161

174 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Passer domesticus, 132
Passerella iliaca, 139
iliaca schistacea, 139
Passeres, 113
Passerina amoena, 141
cyanea, 141
Pedioceetes phasinellus campestris, 82
phasinellus columbianus, 82
Pelican, American White, 62
Brown, 62
Pelecanide, 62
Pelecanus erythrorhynchus, 62
fuseus, 62
Perisoreus canadensis, 121
Petrochelidon lunifrons, 142
Peucea cassini, 139
Pewee, 114
Western Wood, 115
Wood, 115
Phalacrocorax dilophus, 61
dilophus floridanus, 61
mexicanus, 61
Phalacrocoracide, 61
Phalnoptilus nuttalii, 112
Phalarope, Northern, 72
Wilson’s, 72
Phalaropodide, 72
Phalaropus lobatus, 72
tricolor, 72
Phasianide, 83
Pheasants, Mongolian, to protect, 165
Philohela minor, 72
Phoebe, 114
Say’s, 114
Pica pica hudsonica, 118
Pici, 105
Picide, 105
Picoides arcticus, 108
Pigeon, Passenger, 84
Pigeons, food-habits of, 83
Pinicola enucleator, 130
Pipilo chlorurus, 140
erythrophthalmus, 139
maculatus arcticus, 140
Pipit, American, 154
Piranga erythromelas, 141
ludoviciana, 141
rubra, 142

Plectrophenax nivalis, 133

Plegadis autumnalis, 67
guarauna, 67

Plover, American Golden, 76
Belted Piping, 77
Black-bellied, 76
Field, 75
Mountain, 77
Semipalmated, 77
Snowy, 77

Podicipide, 57

Podilymbus podiceps, 59

Poke, 69

Polioptila ezrulea, 161

Poocetes gramineus confinis, 134

Poorwill, 112

Porzana carolina, 70
jamaicensis, 71
noveboracensis, 71

Prairie Hen, 78, 81
Lesser, 82

Progne subis, 142

Protonotaria citrea, 148

Psittaci, 103

Psittacide, 103

Pygopodes, 57

Quail, 78, 79, 80
food-habits of, 79, 80
value of, on farm, 79, 80
Quiscalus quiscula, 128
quiscula zeneus, 128

Rail, Black, 71
Carolina, 70
King, 70
Sora, 70
Yellow, 71
Virginia, 70
Rallide, 70
Rallus elegans, 70
virginianus, 70
Raptores, 84
Raven, 118
American, 121
White-necked, 122
Recurvirostra americana, 72
Recurvirostridx, 72
Redbird, Summer, 142

INDEX TO NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS.

Redpoll, Common, 131
Greater, 131

Redstart, American, 154

Regulus calendula, 161
satrapa, 161

Robin, American, 162
as an insect destroyer, 56, 163
food-habits of, 162, 163
injuring apples, 56
Western, 163

Rhyncophanes mccownii, 134

Sage cock, 83
Salpinctes obsoletus, 156
Sanderling, 74
Sandpiper, Baird’s, 74
Bartramian, 75
Bonaparte’s, 74
Buff-breasted, 75
Least, 74
Pectoral, 73
Red-backed, 74
Semi-palmated, 74
Solitary, 75
Spotted, 76
Stilt, 73
Western, 74
White-rumped, 74
Sap-sucker, Yellow-bellied, 106, 108
Sayornis pheebe, 114
saya, 114
Scolecophagus carolinus, 128
cyanocephalus, 128
Scolopacidzx, 72
Scotiaptex cinerium, 98
Sea Swallow, 60
Seiurus aurocapillus, 151
motacilla, 152
noveboracensis, 152
noveboracensis notabilis, 152
Selasphorus platycercus, 113
Setophaga ruticilla, 154
Shore Birds, 72
Shrike, Great Northern, 145
Loggerhead, 145
White-rumped, 146
Shrikes, food-habits of, 145
Sialia arctica, 163

Sialia mexicana occidentalis, 163
sialis, 163

Siskin, Pine, 132

Sitta canadensis, 159
carolinensis, 159
carolinensis aculeata, 159
pusilla, 160
pygmea, 160

Snake Bird, 61

Snipe, Jack, 73
Red-breasted, 73
Robin, 73
Wilson’s, 73

Snowbird, Slate-colored, 138

Snowflake, 133

Solitaire, Townsend’s, 161

Solitaires, food-habits of, 161

Sparrow, Brewer’s, 137
Chipping, 137
Clay-colored, 137
English, 132
European House, 132
Field, 138
Fox, 139
Gambel’s, 136
Grasshopper, 125, 135
Harris’s, 116
Henslow’s, 135
Intermediate, 136
Leconte’s, 135
Lincoln’s, 139
Nelson’s, 135
Savanna, 134
Slate-colored, 139
Song, 139
Swamp, 139
Tree, 136
Vesper, 134
Western Field, 138
Western Grasshopper, 135
Western Savanna, 135
Western Tree, 137
Western Vesper, 134
White-crowned, 136
White-throated, 136
Yellow-winged, 135

| Spatula clypeata, 64

Speotyta cunicularia hypogexa, 101

175

176 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Sphyrapicus varius, 108
Spinus pinus, 132
tristis, 131
Spiza americana, 141
Spizella breweri, 137
monticola, 136
monticola ochracea, 137
pallida, 137
pusilla, 138
pusilla arenacea, 138
socialis, 137
Steganopodes, 61
Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 143
Stercorariidz, 59
Stercorarius pomarinus, 59
Sterna antillarum, 61
forsteri, 60
hirundo, 60
paradisza, 61
tschegrava, 60

Stilt, Black-necked, 72
Strigidz, 96
Strix pratinicola, 96
Sturnella magna, 126
magna neglecta, 126
Surnia ulula caparoch, 100
Swallow, Bank, 143
Barn, 142
Cliff, 142
Eaves, 142
Mud, 142
Rough-winged, 143
Tree, 142
Violet-green, 143
White-bellied, 143
Swallows, food-habits of, 142
Swan, Trumpeter, 67
Whistling, 67
Swift, Chimney, 113
White-throated Rock, 113
Swimmers, Long-winged, 59
Short-winged, 62
Totipal mate, 61
Sylvania canadensis, 154
mitrata, 153
pusilla, 153
Sylviide, 161

Symphemia semipalmata inornata, 75

Syrnium nebulosum, 97

Tachycineta bicolor, 143
thalassina, 143
Tanager, Crimson-headed, 141
Louisiana, 141
Searlet, 141
Tanagride, 141
Tantalus loculator, 68
Tern, Arctic, 61
Black, 61
Caspian, 60
Common, 60
Forster’s, 60
Least, 61
Tetraonide, 78
Thrasher, Brown, 154, 156
Sage, 155
Thrush, Brown, 155
Golden-crowned, 151
Gray-cheeked, 162
Hermit, 162
Olive-backed, 162
Wilson’s, 162
Wood, 161
Thrushes, food-habits of, 161
Thryothorus bewickii, 157
bewickii bairdi, 157
ludovicianus, 157
Thunder Pumper, 68
Titlark, 154
Missouri, 154
Sprague’s, 154
Tit-mouse, Black-capped, 160
Tufted, 160
Totanus flavipes, 75
melanoleucus, 75
solitarius, 75
Towhee, 139
Arctic, 140
. Green-tailed, 140
Tringa alpina pacifica, 74
bairdii, 74
canutus, 73
fuscicollis, 74
maculata, 73
minutilla, 74

INDEX TO NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS.

Tringites subruficollis, 75
Trochilide, 113
Trochilus colubris, 113
Troglodytes aedon, 157
aedon aztecus, 157
hiemalis, 158
Troglodytidx, 154
Turdide, 161
Turdus aliciz, 162
aonalaschke pallasii, 162
fuscescens, 162
mustelinus, 161
ustulus swainsonii, 162
Turkey, Wild, 78, 83
Turnstone, 78
Tympanuchus americanus, 81
pallidicinctus, 81
Tyrannide, 113
Tyrannus tyrannus, 114
verticalis, 114

Urinatoridz, 59
Urinator imber, 59
lumme, 59

Vireo atricapillus, 147
bellii, 125, 147
Bell’s, 125, 147
Black-capped, 147
Blue-headed, 146
flavifrons, 146
gilvus, 146
noveboracensis, 147
olivaceus, 146
Philadelphia, 146
philadelphicus, 146
Red-eyed, 146
solitarius, 146
Warbling, 146
White-eyed, 147
Yellow-throated, 146

Vireonide, 146

Vireos, food-habits of, 146

Vulture, Black, 85, 86
Turkey, 85

Vultures, American, 85

Waders, peculiarities of, 52
Warbler, Audubon’s, 150

Warbler, Bay-breasted, 151

Black and White Creeping, 148

Black and Yellow, 150

Blackburnian, 151

Black-capped Yellow, 153

Black-poll, 151

Black-throated Blue, 150

Black-throated Green, 151

Blue-winged Yellow, 148

Blue Yellow-backed, 149

Canadian, 154

Cape May, 149

Cerulean, 150

Chestnut-sided, 125, 150

Golden-winged, 149

Hooded, 153

Kentucky, 152

Macgillivray’s, 152

Magnolia, 150

Mourning, 152

Myrtle, 150

Nashville, 149

Orange-crowned, 140

Parula, 149

Pine-creeping, 151

Prairie, 151

Prothonotary, 148

Red-poll, 151

Sycamore, 151

Tennessee, 149

Virginia’s, 149

Wilson’s, 153

Worm-eating, 148

Yellow, 149

Yellow-rumped, 150
Warblers, Wood, 147

food-habits of, 147, 148
Water Ouzel, 154

Thrush, 152

Thrush, Grinnell’s, 152

Thrush, Large-billed, 152

Thrush, Louisiana, 152
Waxwing, Bohemian, 143, 144

Cedar, 143, 144

Northern, 143
Waxwings, food-habits of, 143
Whippoorwill, 112
Wild Turkey, 78

1

178 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Willet, Western, 75
Woodcock, American, 72
Woodpecker, Arctic Three-toed, 108

Downy, 106, 107

Gairdner’s, 107

Hairy, 106, 107

Harris’s, 107

Ivory-billed, 107

Lewis’s, 110

Northern Hairy, 107

Pileated, 109

Red-bellied, 111

Red-headed, 106, 109, 110, 156

Red-headed, injuries by, 55

Red-headed, injuring fruit, 110

Yellow-bellied, 106, 108
Woodpeckers, food-habits of, 105, 106
Wren, Baird’s, 157

Bewick’s, 157

Carolina, 157

Wren, House, 157
Long-billed Marsh, 159
Rock, 156
Short-billed Marsh, 158
Western House, 157
Winter, 158

Wrens, food-habits of, 154

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, 125

Xema sabinii, 60

Yellow-legs, 75
Greater, 75
Yellow-throat, Maryland, 152
Western Maryland, 152

Zenaidura macroura, 84
Zonotrichia albicollis, 136
leucophrys, 136
leucophrys gambeli, 136
leucophrys intermedia, 136
querula, 136

OBSERVATIONS ON SOIL MOISTURE. 179

OBSERVATIONS ON SOIL MOISTURE.

R. A. EMERSON.

During the past summer, the Department of Horticulture of the
University of Nebraska conducted some experiments to show the
amount of water retained in garden and orchard soils by different
modes of treatment.

To determine the per cent of moisture in the soil, small samples of
the soil were taken and the water driven off by heat. In every case
soil samples were taken at the depths of six, twelve, and twenty inches,
the samples from these three depths forming a ‘‘set.” In every case
two sets, and in some cases three sets, were taken at the same time in
different parts of the plot whose moisture was to be determined. The
average of these six or nine samples is taken as representing approxi-
mately the per cent of moisture of the first twenty-four inches of the
soil of the whole plot at the time of taking the samples, and these
averages are alone given in all the per cents of moisture below.

CULTIVATION VS. SEEDING OF ORCHARDS.

The apple orchard on the Experiment Station farm was divided
lengthwise into three parts, each part being about eight rods wide.
The middle part was plowed in the spring, and was cultivated to a
depth of about four inches about every two weeks during the summer,
eleven cultivations in all. The part of the orchard on one side of this
cultivated part was left in grass and weeds. This part was mowed
two times during the summer. ‘The part of the orchard on the other
side of the cultivated part was also left in grass and weeds, but was
used as a hog pasture. The hogs kept the weeds down fairly well.

On August 26 and October 19 the per cent of soil moisture was de-
termined, as above described, for each of these parts of the orchard,
nine samples being taken from each part on each date. The per cent
of moisture of each part is given in the diagrams (Figs. 1 and 2).
The difference in moisture in favor of the cultivated part is even more

180 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Grass Pastured. 14.6%

WHMV@@Z]@@7]Y] HW EX] EY]JEZ]@##” 0. tt-ttto

Grass Mowed. 14.6%

Cultivated., 21.2%.

Fic. 1. Shows the per cent of moisture in the three parts of

the orchard on Aug. 26, 95. } inch=14@4%.

Mowed. 9.9%

Pastured. 10.6%

Fic. 2. Shows per cent of water in the three parts of the

erchard:on Oct.: 19, 95.9 2} ineh =1'%.

OBSERVATIONS ON SOIL MOISTURE. 181

marked when the six-inch samples are considered alone. The influ-
ence of cultivation was felt, however, quite strongly even at the depth
of twenty inches.

GARDEN SOIL—CULTIVATED, UNCULTIVATED, MULCHED—IN GRASS.

In order to get more uniform conditions than could be had in the
orchard, three small plots were laid out in the garden. The garden
was plowed to a medium depth early in the spring. On June 6a
mulch of coarse horse manure was spread on one plot. The mulch
was three inches thick after having settled for two months. Another
plot was cultivated about three inches deep, on an average once in two
weeks during the summer. A third plot was left uncultivated. The
weeds were cut off at the surface of the ground with a sharp hoe as
soon as they appeared. ‘The three plots together covered a space about
three rods long by two rods wide. Adjoining these plots was the
head-land of the garden, a strip about one rod wide, covered with an
old, thick June grass sod. Next to this was a field of alfalfa two
years old. The land here was quite level. This, together with the
small size of the plots, rendered the conditions of the five plots quite
uniform.

Determinations of the soil-moisture of these plots was made June
15, June 25, July 27, and September 6. T'wo sets (six samples) gave
the average per cent of moisture for each plot at each date. The re-
sults are shown by the curves (Fig. 3). It will be seen that the
mulched plot gave the highest and most uniform per cent of water.
The cultivated plot came next, and the uncultivated third. The al-
falfa and June grass gave very much lower per cents of moisture.
On June 15 and June 25, the samples twenty inches deep gave almost
no difference in per cent of water between the plots cultivated, uncul-
tivated, and mulched. This was no doubt because the mulch had
been applied so recently. By July 27 the effect of the cultivation
and mulch was readily seen in the twenty-inch samples.

POTATOES—MULCHED VS. CULTIVATED.

A small plot of potatoes was mulched with three inches of straw at
the time of planting. Another plot was given shallow cultivation.
On June 25 the per cent of water in the cultivated plot was 19.6; in
the mulched plot, 21.6. :

NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

182

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OBSERVATIONS ON SOIL MOISTURE. 183

FALL PLOWED—SPRING PLOWED—UNPLOWED,

A piece of garden soil cultivated thoroughly without plowing for
two years contained, on April 23, 18.9 per cent of water. A strip of
garden near. by, plowed early in the spring, contained, at the same
date, but 16.6 per cent of water. On June 15 the strip plowed in
the spring contained 18.4 per cent of water. The strip cultivated
without plowing contained 21.5 per cent of water. Anda third strip,
near the others, plowed late the fall before, contained 20.3 per cent of
water.

WIND-BREAKS.
By Forest Trees.

Several series of samples were taken to determine the effect wind-
breaks have in checking the evaporation of water from the soil. On
November 5 a series of samples was taken in a field north of a belt
of forest trees, consisting of five rows of soft maple nearly thirty feet
high and ten rows of catalpa about twenty feet high. The trees were
from four to six feet apart in the rows, and the rows were about eight
feet apart. There were very few branches near the ground. The
field north of these trees had grown a crop of corn, but this had been
cut and removed from the field. Duplicate sets of samples were taken
every two rods, beginning one rod from the trees and going fifteen
rods into the field. The averages of the six samples taken at each
distance from the trees are given in the diagram (Fig. 4). It will be
seen that there is a general decrease in per cent of water as the dis-
tance from the trees increases, excepting the irregularity at the distance
of seven rods from the trees. The decrease in per cent of moisture is
noticable for the first ten rods from the trees. From that point on
the per cent is quite uniform.

It must be remembered, first, that the trees made by no means a
model wind-break, having but few limbs low down; second, the corn
grown on the field probably acted as a wind-break itself. The corn,
by checking the wind, would probably protect the interior part of the
field more than the part near the trees. The trees, on the other hand,
would naturally be expected to protect most the part of the field near-
est them. The two wind-breaks, while in no sense destroying each
other’s effect, yet would give more uniform protection to the field and
thus make the effect of either wind-break less easy to be determined.

184 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

1 rod from trees. 14.0%

5 rods from trees. 11.3%

WWHHMHHT@@~WV@YT-T]TTZCTZ/7]@ JM“

| 7 rods from trees. 12.3%

|
| 11 rods from trees. 10.5%

WMMZ=@ M]@VTW@@TVW]@VVV@VV@7@-@| TY

13 rods trom trees. 10.6%

| 15 rods from trees. 10.8%.

]M]]V]VCZ7V]@W@WV@V]TWV@VTVCXZ7:/ MJJy

Fic. 4. Showing per cent of water-in soil at increasing:
distances from several rows of forest trees. 14 inch=1%
Nov. 5. '95,

SMALL FRUITS IN DODGE COUNTY. 185

By Hedges.

During the month of September one series of samples was taken
south and three series were taken north, of osage orange hedges. The
hedges were about five feet high and in some places not very thick,
some of the trees having died out. Although there was considerable
variation in per cent of moisture at different distances from the hedges,
yet there was no uniformity in the variation. The per cent of mois-
ture at any point seemed to have no relation to the distance of that
point from the hedge.

SMALL FRUITS IN DODGE COUNTY.

J. W. STEVENSON.

The drouth of 1894 and the dry, freezing winter following the
drouth, have very seriously injured the plants and yield of nearly all
small fruits. The frosts of May destroyed the principal part of the
fruit on plants that survived the winter. Grapes, raspberries, black-
berries, and strawberries were almost a failure in yielding a crop.
Currants, juneberries, gooseberries, and cherries have yielded a par-
tial crop. We will speak of some of these varieties more particularly.

STRAWBERRIES.

The drouth of 1894 and dry winter destroyed most of the plants,
and those surviving were feeble plants. Where irrigated they grew
finely and came through the winter in a healthy, thrifty condition.
If we had commenced irrigating earlier in 1894 we would have had
a better stand of plants, more uniform growth, and would no doubt
have had still greater confidence in irrigating strawberry plants. We
had doubts about the beneficial effect of water pumped from the well
and applied directly to the plants, but soon discovered that the plants
thrived the best where the most water was used. Many said that cold
water would kill the plants, and that a reservoir or tank should be
used to warm the water, but we are satisfied it was not necessary.
The irrigation of the plants early in the spring, even before the frost
was all out of the ground, was very beneficial. The prospects for an
abundant crop were very flattering till the frosts of May cut short the

13

186 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

crop fully two-thirds. We had a fair crop on some plants we covered
with the mulching that laid between the rows, but the covering and
uncovering for ten or twelve days (as was the case this season) was a
tedious operation, injuring the blossoms some and hindering their pol-
lenization; the mulching seemed to wear out with so much handling
and did not cover the plants as well as at first. If plants only re-
quired to be protected from one or two frosts as in May, 1894, pro-
tection in this manner would be very successful if enough of the ma-
terial was on hand. Another season we will have plenty of material
for covering plants conveniently placed where it can be quickly spread
over the plants when there is danger of frost, if we are not caught
napping.

Varieties whose foliage covered the fruit stems escaped the frost the
best, while some varieties, such as Captain Jack and Mount Vernon,
that push their fruit stems above the foliage, had nearly all their ber-
ries and blossoms frozen. Late sorts, like Wolverton, Saunders, Mrs.
Cleveland, Stayman No. 1, and Great Pacific, blossomed freely after the
frosts and bore a light crop of nice berries. The Warfield and Beder-
wood yielded the most fruit, and the former is certainly worthy of
first place on the list. It is a good shipper, excellent quality, bears
early and late, and abundantly. Bederwood and Enhance are our
best fertilizers, the first for early, and the latter for early and late sorts.
Saunders, Wolverton, and Parker Earl are good late fertilizers only.
We think it advisable to plant both early and late fertilizers in same
field, alternating the rows.

Bubach No. 5 has made a poor record the past two years in
blossom and fruit, and must be discarded if it does not redeem itself
next season. Of some of the newer sorts, Eureka, Dayton, Greenville,
and Robinson give excellent promise.

RASPBERRIES.

Raspberries suffered severely by the drouths of last year andthe
past winter. A timely rain in the spring induced a vigorous growth
which blossomed freely, but the May frosts destroyed nearly all of
these blossoms. The Gregg blossomed after the frosts and yielded
some fruit. We plant blackeap sorts in the apple tree rows of our
orchard, running north and south. They are shaded some in this
way from the sun, summer and winter, and we find they are injured

SMALL FRUITS IN DODGE COUNTY. 187

less than those exposed without shelter. Red sorts are a nuisance in
an orchard and cannot be controlled by plowing out unnecessary
suckers.

BLACKBERRIES.

Blackberries have yielded very little fruit for two years. Drouths
and frosts have killed many of the plants and all the fruit. We find
by experience they should be planted on the lowest ground, or where
they can have sufficient moisture. The Snyder canes will usually
stand the severest winters if the roots are in moist soil.

JUNEBERRIES.

Juneberries yielded an immense crop of juicy, plump berries.
Neither drouth nor frosts of May seem to have had any injurious effect
on them. They always yield a crop, and no variety of fruit is so
easily cared for or yields so much very good fruit for the amount of
labor spent on them. They are emphatically the lazy man’s fruit, and
their existence renders the laziest man without excuse for not having
plenty of fruit.

CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES.

The frosts of May curtailed the crops of these fully one-half. All
sorts seemed to yield equally well and were equally injured by the
frosts. The young plants of Fay’s Prolific yield better than the old
plants. The quality of fruit is fine, but the bushes are short-lived
and of inferior growth. The North Star is prolific and a vigorous
grower, but the berries are not as large as we would wish.

GRAPES.

For two years the grape blossoms have been killed by frosts, and
many of the vines, three to ten years old, have been killed by drouth
and winter freezing. Many of the vines nowalive grow feebly. All
varieties have suffered, though some sorts more than others. Planters
are discouraged about grape growing and are disposed to invest but
little in this fruit. As drouth more than freezing is to blame for
this heavy loss of vines, we must seek the most successful method of
overcoming this difficulty. We would recommend thorough cultiva-
tion during the summer and irrigation if possible, when needed in
summer and fall, and mulching of the ground during fall and winter.
The roots should freeze up in moist earth and tops be covered, after
pruning, with mulching or earth.

188 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

REPORT FROM RICHARDSON COUNTY.

G. A. SLAYTON,

The year 1895 was not a very favorable one for the fruit-growers
of Richardson county. The crop was far below an average one, both
in quantity and quality, for nearly all kinds of fruits. The excep-
tions to the rule were in plums and peaches. ‘The planting of plums
has never been very extensive, but those who were fortunate enough
to have trees of bearing age in 18965 received a good reward for their
previous efforts in this direction, as the fruit was abundant and of
good quality.

There are no extensive peach orchards in our county, and most of
the trees we have are seedlings, only a very few of the better budded
sorts having been planted; but trees of all varieties were loaded to the
breaking down point, and the quality of the fruit was good, consider-
ing the varieties and healthfulness, or rather unhealthfulness, of the
trees. Many of the trees were old and nearly ready to fall down
from age and decay. More interest is being taken in peaches by our
fruit raisers, and we believe the indications are that the planting of
peach orchards on a more extended scale is a feature of the near
future.

The cherry crop was a light one, a few varieties in favored localities
only producing a full crop.

The lack of rainfall and consequent lack of moisture in the soil for
three successive years has had very disastrous effect upon the small
fruit plantings. Many patches of strawberries and raspberries have
died out and the new plantings have been few and not very successful.
The one good rain of May 30 caused excellent fruit on such straw-
berry vines as were in good condition, but the supply of fruit was
meager, owing to scarcity of vines. Raspberries, blackberries, dew-
berries, and currants all suffered from drouth, and the crop was light.

Our grape crop was the nearest to a failure we have experienced in
many years. Very little good fruit produced.

Our greatest disappointment in the fruit line was our apple crop.

FRUIT CROP OF EAST CENTRAL NEBRASKA. 189

During the early part of the season it seemed quite promising, and of
some early varieties and medium early ones, as Early Harvest and
Oldenburg, a fair yield was obtained and the quality was good, but of
course the market price was not so favorable. Later the effect of dry
weather, hot and high winds, and above all the ravages of the codling
moth began to appear, and by the beginning of September the pros-
pects for a crop of winter varieties was ebbing rapidly, and a month
later, when the harvest time was fully come, not one bushel of good
fruit was to be found where sixty days previous a score of bushels
was seemingly a certainty. Many farmers who had expected to have
a hundred or more bushels to sell had not enough for family use.
Most of the crop had become windfalls, and they decayed so rapidly that
very few were utilized in any way, even in the production of cider
for vinegar. A few good apples were obtained from young orchards
bearing first crops, especially where protected on the south by location
of ground and wind-breaks. The varieties which gave the best results
were the Winesap, Missouri Pippin, Little Romanite, and Ben Davis.
Only a few of our fruit-growers have given any attention to spray-
ing for any purpose, and those who have, mostly only for the codling
moth. During 1895, owing to the scarcity and inconvenience of the
water supply, spraying was neglected, perhaps more generally than
heretofore, which may account in part for our shortage in apples.

REPORT OF THE FRUIT CROP OF EAST CENTRAL
NEBRASKA.

G. A. MARSHALL.
(Stenographic report. )

Mr. Prestpent: I have not prepared any written report. I took
it from the program that you wanted a report of the crop of the past
season, consequently I am not prepared to say anything concerning
the prospect for next year. Our fruit crop the past season has been
very satisfactory considering everything, although some varieties of
the small fruits have been a total failure, and among these is the straw-
berry. The main cause was that we had no strong plants. What
few strawberry plants had survived the severe drouth of the year be-
fore had but very little life to begin with, and then they were injured
by late killing frosts.

190 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The raspberry crop was about 30 per cent of a full crop. They
were injured to some extent by the winter, and badly injured by the
late frosts. These causes combined reduced the crop to the percentage
given.

The blackberry crop was a total failure; were not worth picking in
any blackberry patch in Washington county that I heard of. I do
not know the cause; they simply didn’t blossom. In a great many
instances the briers were not killed down during the winter; they
leaved out well, but we had no blossoms. We took it for granted
that it was the effects of the severe drouth, although I do not know
that to be the cause.

The currant crop was about 60 per .cent, and the gooseberry crop
about 50 per cent. The juneberry crop was 100 per cent; that is al-
ways 100 per cent.

The grape crop was about 30 per cent. The vines had been injured
by the dry weather, and this followed up by the work of the borers
left our vines in very poor shape. Then this frost that I have spoken
of cut them down to about 30 per cent.

The cherry crop was immense, there being no variety that failed.
Even the Late Richmond gave us a good fair crop, and the Early
Richmond and English Morello were just weeping with cherries. The
plum crop was about the same as the cherries—a very full crop and
very satisfactory, although some of the trees bore so heavily that the
plums were under size. The effect on the market, however, was bad,
as it brought the price down lower than I ever knew it before. Miner
plums sold for fifty cents per bushel, and I don’t know that I ever
knew them to be under $1.25 before. How is that, Mr. Whitford?

Mr. Wuitrorp—I think some have been sold there for $1.

Mr. MarsHaLi—(Continuing). The summer and fall apples were
very good and free from worms, full size, well colored up, and good
fruit in general. The winter apples were affected by worms, especially in
some orchards. Some of the younger orchards were somewhat freer
from worms, and some were only moderately affected. As to the con-
ditions for next year, I am not prepared to make any statements.

Mr. HeatH—You didn’t mention peaches.

Mr. MArsHALL—We haven’t very many trees. Wherever we had-
peach trees we had a good crop of peaches. Peaches in Blair at one
time were as low as $1 per bushel.

SUMMER FRUITS IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA. 191

Mr. HEAtTH—What varieties of grapes are the best?

Mr. MarsHaLtit—Concord and Worden did the best. Moore’s
Early and Pocklington bore a light crop. Those four are the only
varieties that are planted to any extent, that bore anything. The
Agawam did not bear scarcely at all. The raspberries that bloomed
very early bore about 20 per cent of a crop, while those that bloomed
just after them were almost a total failure on account of the frost.
Those injured the worst were the Palmer; the Older came a little later
and they made from 20 to 25 per cent of a crop. The Nemaha and
Gregg followed these with a better crop. The fruit was very nice; I
never saw finer. I think the Older is one of the coming berries.
With us it winters well so far, and the fruit is extra fine. In the
market the Older will sell better than the Gregg, and that is saying a
good deal for a berry. I know it does not ship well, but we will have
to grow a great many more raspberries before we have to ship very far,
and it can easily be shipped fifty to one hundred miles. Our great
trouble is to get them up into the center of town; they sell at sight.

Mr. HeatH—Did the winter apples drop from the trees before they
were fully matured?

Mr. MAarsHALL—lIn some instances they did, but generally they
were pretty well matured before they dropped off, and they kept very
well. We thought in September, during those hot, dry weeks, that
our apples would not keep at all, but we have Grimes’ Golden and
Jonathan here that had no special care; we just picked them out of
the bins. The Grimes’ Golden with us is usually gone before this time,
but they are in pretty good condition yet; the Jonathan is about ready
to decay.

SUMMER FRUITS IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA.

W. F. JENKINS.

Mr. PresiDENT: I live in Valley county, at Arcadia, about on a
line with Omaha 150 miles west from here. I have been trying to
grow fruit there for the past fourteen or fifteen years, and have suc-
ceeded far beyond my expectations. I will commence with strawber-
ries, and will say in the first place that I came from Michigan, the
south central part, where we had a good fruit country, and we can

192 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

grow better strawberries in Valley county with less work than we
could in Michigan. I have the credit of growing and selling the first
strawberries that were ever sold in Broken Bow. I used to send two
pails west to Broken Bow one day and two pails east to Loup City
the next, and got twenty-five cents a quart for them.

I have grown a raspberry there that I brought from Michigan fif-
teen years ago. ‘There never has been but one season until last year
but that they have stood the severe winters without laying down, and
I have had from half a crop to the heaviest crop that ever was grown
every year. This morning Mr. Hesser mentioned the Tyler as being
the best raspberry he is growing. I bought 500 plants from Mr.
Hesser a few years ago and set them right adjoining those I have
been growing there for fifteen years, and the difference is very marked.
Those of my own raising are more than double the size in cane, and
I much prefer them to the Tyler. I wish to emphasize this a little
more strongly than I should have done had not the remark been made
by Mr. Hartley that we were a little outside the territory for growing
fruit to ship. I have invited people in there when we had fruit that
would show, on purpose to let them know what we could do. I have
had them come from twenty-five to forty miles in every direction, as
high as thirty or forty people in a day, and have been very much en-
couraged by such remarks as this: ‘ I came from one of the best fruit
growing sections of the east, and I never saw anything to surpass
this.” This remark was frequently made in regard to the raspberries,
also in regard to the grapes.

The blackberry is something we have failed to raise. I would not
recommend any one to plant them in that part of the state. I had
the wild Michigan blackberry, but it proved a failure. I have also
tried the Snyder. Of course, by laying them down in winter we
might succeed, but if we allow them to stand up as we do the rasp-
berries we cannot succeed.

We have had good success with the gooseberry. We grow the
Downing asarule. The juneberry isa native of that part of the
state and it does first rate. We have grown eight or ten varieties of
currants and they have done fully as well for us as they ever did in
Michigan. I regard the Red Dutch the best of the red currants for
a farm garden. I have tried eight or ten other varieties of the reds,
but do not like any of them as well as the Red Dutch. The White
Grape, I think, is the best of the white currants.

FRUIT IN SARPY COUNTY. 193

FRUIT IN,SARPY COUNTY.

E. E. SANBORN.

The season of 1895 has been a very good one for the apple crop in
this locality. We have not had such nice apples for years, so free
from insects and matured so well. ‘The hot winds caused a good many
to drop; then we had two days of very hard wind when the apple
was about one-third size, and blew about one-third of them off, and
as the trees were very heavily loaded, I think that was a benefit to the
crop, for it thinned the fruit and made it better quality. The yield
was better than we have had for years. From 200 Ben Davis and
Winesap trees I had 2,000 bushels of apples this year. My trees are
twenty-four feet apart, and about seventy-six trees to the acre, and an |
average yield of ten bushels to the tree would be 760 bushels per acre.
My average price was sixty-five cents per bushel; that would give me
$494 per acre. My orchard of 1,200 bearing trees yielded me about
5,000 bushels of apples this year. When I selected my trees, if I
had chosen the right varieties, and only about twelve varieties instead
of about seventy, my profit would have been much greater. I have
many varieties that are worthless for a commercial orchard, and if we
do not learn from others experience what to plant for profit, we must
learn from our own, and the old saying that ‘experience is a dear
teacher ”’ is true.

In selecting varieties for a commercial orchard we must consider
where our market is to be, for some varieties will not bear shipping
a long distance. For this market I would select a few summer,
such as Oldenburg, Red June, and Early Harvest; and a very few
fall, such as Wealthy, Utter’s Red, and Maiden Blush; but my
main crop would be winter varieties, such as Ben Davis, Winesap,
Jonathan, Grimes’ Golden, Missouri Pippin, and York Imperial.
This will give a list of twelve varieties, and all hardy and productive.
The Ben Davis will not sell as high in the market as the Jonathan or
the Grimes’ Golden, but I can make more profit on the Ben Davis at
fifty cents a bushel than on the Jonathan at $1. Last fall the Jona-

194 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

than sold for $1.25 when the Ben Davis sold for sixty-five cents a
bushel.

If we want to get the greatest profit from our orchard we must
spray our trees and cultivate and manure the ground. I put on
twenty acres of ground 100 loads of barn-yard manure each year,
spray twice, and keep my traps out to catch the codling moth. If we
grow choice fruit we will get a good price, but if we neglect our trees
we grow small, poor fruit, and we get a small price. We all know
that it costs the same per bushel to gather, pack, and market a poor
lot of fruit as it does a choice lot. There is where our profit comes
in. Then how much better pleased our customers are, and we feel
better ourselves, to have a choice lot of fruit.

We always get the best fruit from young trees. I have planted
three orchards. My old orchard is now twenty-five years old, and
some of the trees that are not profitable I am cutting out for fire wood.
When trees get old the fruit is very small. I get one-third more per
bushel for my fruit in my young orchard than the fruit in my old
orchard, and that is all clear profit. Fruit trees are so cheap now, a
person should plant trees every few years—at least every ten years.
The trees do not come into full bearing until they are ten years old.
The first ten years of bearing is where we get our greatest profit.
After the trees get old, say twenty-five years, it is not always economy
to let them stand, but have young trees coming along to take their
place. The fruit of an old tree is small, the price is small, and the
profit is small, and when a man is trying to sell it he feels small.

THE CURRANT.

J. P. DUNLAP.

All of the Dutch varieties of currants do well, but I have had as
good success with the La Versailles as with any of the red varieties,
The White Grape currants have been the best of the white varieties.
Plant in rows five feet apart and two feet apart in the rows. Plant
two year old bushes, cultivate with a hand’wheel garden cultivator,
from one to one and a half inches deep, as soon as the frost is out and

he surface dry enough in the spring and before the spring rains have

ADVANTAGES OF THOROUGH CULTIVATION, 195

settled the ground, as it works much easier and is better for the plants.
Then cultivate after that until the middle of August as frequently as
the weeds show through the ground, or about once every ten days,
and if only cultivated with the wheel cultivator the ground will be
smooth and the work light. A man can cultivate two acres a day.
Use the hoe around the plants and in the rows where the cultivator
will not reach, but do not use the hoe between the rows, as the hoe is
apt to leave the surface in ridges, which allows the ground to dry worse
and makes harder work for the cultivator next time.

The Dutch varieties sell better generally than the others and do,
well in all parts of the state, but in the extreme western part of the
state they need irrigation. With irrigation they appear to do as well
there as in the eastern part of the state. An acre should yield from
three thousand to six thousand quarts. Market with the stems on,
either in baskets or boxes to suit your trade. They yield better on
rich moist land than they do on poor land, and thorough cultivation is
necessary.

The black Naples currant should be planted three feet apart in the row,
otherwise cultivate the same as the others. They yield well and sell well
to people from England and some other parts of Europe, but Americans,
as a rule, do not like them. The nativecurrants of western Nebraska
and eastern Wyoming are very hardy, and where they have sufficient
moisture are prolific, and where other fruits are scarce will pay to
cultivate in a limited way. They should be planted three feet apart
in the rows and the rows seven feet apart. They have lobed leaves,
yellow blossoms, and by using care they may be had of either black
or yellow varieties. There are other varieties of the wild currant in
the state, but as far as my experience goes they are not worthy of cul-
tivation.

ADVANTAGES OF THOROUGH CULTIVATION.

D. U. REED.
[Read at the summer meeting, 1895. ]

It will not be expected that in this short paper all the benefits of
thorough cultivation will be answered. Thorough cultivation in-
cludes thorough preparation of the land to be used. During the four-
teen years of our sojourn in Gage county we have been engaged in

196 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

tilling the soil for our particular industry. We have found it neces-
sary and much less expensive to have land well prepared to receive
the seed or plants than to use more labor after the seed was in the
ground. We have practiced deep plowing (ten to twelve inches)
until the advent of the subsoiler, which we find indispensable for the
thorough cultivation of the land. We are speaking now of spring
plowing. When it is possible we prefer to plow late in the fall, al-
lowing the land to lay up loose until spring, except in special cases.

Experience has taught us the absolute necessity of having land well
prepared. A few dollars expended in pulverizing, rubbing, and level-
ing the surface of the ground is well invested, giving a kind, mellow
surface in which to put seeds or plants, thus giving equal advantages
for all seeds to germinate, an even stand of plants, greater ease in
cultivating (say nothing of the pleasure over rough, cloddy ground),
and cheapness of cultivation by having a blanket of mellow soil.
Hand or team work can move along without covering plants, as is the
case in cloddy or poorly prepared ground.

BENEFITS.

Ease of cultivation, more rapid growth of plants, and continued
growth weeks after the poorly cultivated plants have checked. The
destruction of weeds while small, thus saving expense and securing
good growth in dry seasons, retaining moisture through the season and
into the following spring. Increasing profits by lessening expense.
There can be from one-third to two-fifths expense saved in the culti-
vation, if well done and at the proper season. Many instances are in
mind of the vast difference between ordinary cultivation and neglect,
and as the thoroughness of the cultivation advances, a marked differ-
ence is shown on plant or tree. Especially is this seen in our or-
chards.

In our judgment the thing most needed after plant has been made
is to cultivate once a week, or more frequently in some cases, and es-
pecially after rains that pack the ground and run it together. This
will hold good on the farm, in the orchard, or garden.

I wish to speak here of watering trees and plants recently set.
This is generally done by putting the water on the surface of the
ground, and, as a rule, is of no benefit, as the moisture never reaches
the roots, therefore imparts no benefit to the tree. Instances have

THE DWARF JUNEBERRY. 197

come under our observation where trees were supposed to be well
watered, and upon raising the tree, earth would be found at the roots
almost as dry as powder, under which circumstances it is almost im-
possible for growth to be made.

To water a tree remove a portion of the soil from over the roots
two to four inches, fill this space with water, allowing it to settle.
Repeat this operation until the roots are thoroughly soaked. When
water is all settled replace the soil around the tree or plant. Thus
you have created a reservoir for the roots to draw from for ten days to
two weeks. It improves this kind treatment by putting on a vigor-
ous growth to the satisfaction and delight of the owner.

THE DWARF JUNEBERRY.

GEO. B. GALBRAITH.

This is a subject of great importance to the people of the entire
western states. It is a subject that should interest every one whether
we have a large or small tract of land, and a subject that should be
thoroughly discussed. If I am rightly informed, it is a plant native
to the Rocky mountains, and in.that rocky region it is no more tena-
cious to life than it is on our plains after it is cared for and brought
through the first season. There seem to be two varieties that have a
similar habit but still are a little different in flavor, size of berry, and
growth of plant. The large size bush has the smallest berry, and the
berry is a very little more tart in taste than the berry of the small
bush. Neither is the large bush as productiye as the smaller variety
of plant.

In the spring (this year as early as the 15th of April) our entire
Juneberry plant was one mass of flowers, and was as pretty a sight as
any lover of fruit would wish to see. No doubt some of you who
have not planted this wonderful western fruit may think the frosts
we got late in April would destroy the fruit in the blossom, but on
the contrary the entire plant brought through its full load, and it was
certainly a heavy load. The small-sized plants that were from one to
three feet high, and that bear the largest and the finest berries, were a
wonder to behold. Frosts that killed potato tops to the ground had

198 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

no effect in destroying even a portion of this wonderful plant’s prod-
uct, even though the frost came as late as the middle of May.

The fruit of the Dwarf Juneberry, as its name denotes, begins to
ripen about the 10th of June and continues ripening throughout the
month in bountiful quantities, even as late as the 4th of July. The
flavor of the fruit is mild, sweet, juicy, and is very pleasant to the
taste. A great many people think the Dwarf Juneberry is the same
thing asthe New England huckleberry, but that is a mistake. Though
the shape and color of the berries are the same, the time of ripening
the huckleberry is at least six or eight weeks later than the Dwarf
Juneberry. The huckleberry is native to the eastern states and will
not thrive in the west, while the Dwarf Juneberry is native to the
western states, and is not only good for Nebraska, but it is equally as
good for Kansas, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Mis-
souri, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Colorado. In fact, it is a fruit
for the entire west, and, as I said in the beginning, should inter-
est every westerner. It should be planted in every home garden,
whether that home is in the country orin the city. If you have room
for a garden you have room for the Dwarf Juneberry, for there is
nothing more pleasing and healthy for the child than the privilege of
gathering at will until their appetites are satisfied with this luscious
fruit fresh from the bushes. It is equally as good for the grown boys
and girls, mothers, fathers, and grand-parents.

When gathered the fruit should be used at once, for unless it is used
while fresh it loses a great deal of that pleasant flavor that is peculiar
to this fruit. A few growers have placed the berries on sale in our
stores, and I believe that practice is wrong, as the berries are generally
gathered the day before marketed, and though the flavor is apparently
all right on the start, it soon loses that freshness and good wholesome
flavor that is retained when fresh. When this flavor is lost the ber-
ries make a poor impression on the customer. I do not call the Dwarf
Juneberry a fruit for the market, but a good fruit for the western peo-
ple, to be grown in every home garden and for home use.

The growth of the Dwarf Juneberry is in the form of a bush, the
large variety attaining a height of about six feet, while the small va-
riety seems to have reached its full growth at four feet. The plants
grow from suckers that shoot up from the roots, about as the lilac
multiplies. Plants that come up and gain a growth of twelve to

THE STRAWBERRY AND RASPBERRY. 199

eighteen inches in one season are generally full of berries the follow-
ing year. The size of the berry varies according to the time of ripen-
ing, the first fruit being as large as the ordinary cranberry and gradu-
ally get smaller as the season advances, but all are a fair size to the
last picking. Color of the fruit is a blue-black when fully ripe,
though it is very palatable when it reaches the reddish or purple stage.
There is no better fruit for pie or sauce that can be grown so easy as
the Dwarf Juneberry. There is no richer looking fruit. Dry
weather does not injure it. Wet weather does not injureit. Thereis
no insect that attacks it. The wind never blows hard enough to cause
the fruit to fall. It never gets too cold or too warm for the Dwarf
Juneberry. It is native to the west. It is a sure crop.

THE STRAWBERRY AND RASPBERRY.

G. N. TITUS.

» When our Secretary requested that I prepare a paper for this meet-
ing, he suggested that I deal more particularly with the different va-
rieties that we have been testing and fruiting.

I believe that the average person is more bewildered in knowing
what to plant that will furnish a succession of berries throughout the
season, in abundance, than in the method of setting and cultivating, as
there is plenty of information upon the subject of cultivation by
writers of national ability that will apply to the country as a whole
with few exceptions. This is not the case with regard to varieties,
as every practical fruit-grower knows that the sort that does wel] in
one locality may not thrive at all in another, perhaps of only a dis-
tance of a few miles, hence the necessity of the beginner or inexpe-
rienced planter in depending upon someone who has had the experi-
ence in his locality in order to get such varieties as will best succeed
there. The all-important thing in starting a berry garden is begin-
ning with the right varieties. No matter how well located, or how
well planted or cultivated, if the proper sorts have not been planted,
failure and disappointment must be the result.

200 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

STRAWBERRIES.

I am asked a great many times the best varieties of strawberries.
This is hard to answer. But in my experience of the past ten years,
during which I have tested a great many old and new sorts, if con-
fined to only one berry, it would be without doubt the Parker Earl.
This berry comes as near filling the bill as any berry I have fruited,
and is bound to become popular, not only on account of its great pro-
ductiveness, but also by its remarkable resistance to the drouth. It
is a large berry, good quality, and one of the most vigorous, healthiest -
looking plants, with a great mass of roots extending out twelve to fif-
teen inches. It is perfect in blossom and is the berry for those that
do not wish to bother with fertilizing the imperfect sorts.

Next to the Parker Earl I place the Warfield, the greatest market
berry of the present time, which produces more fruit of uniform size
to the square rod than any berry I have grown. It is very handsome,
good in quality, and ripens a few days after the Crescent. It is a fa-
vorite everywhere. Jor an early berry it is hard to give up the Cres-
cent, but we are setting it more sparingly each year. After the second
year it is worthless as a market berry. The Warfield at this time is
more attractive and will outsell it on any market, yet I believe it to be
the berry for the family garden, as it will produce fair crops when
only half tended, and sometimes when not tended at all; while other
berries. under similar treatment would produce scarcely any fruit.

Haverland is a very large, productive berry, but must be well cul-
tivated and mulched. It is a very poor berry for the family garden.

I have fruited the much praised Bubach No. 5 five years, and have
failed to see anything yet to recommend in it. It is nothing more
than a large show berry.

Beder Wood is a medium sized berry, productive, and inclined to
be small during a dry season. It is one of the best pollenizers for
Warfield, Crescent, and Haverland. We set two rows of Beder Wood
to four of Warfield, Crescent, or Haverland.

Michel’s Early is a complete failure, also May King and Gandy.
Captain Jack is a favorite with many; while we have other berries
preferable, it is yet too good a pollenizer to set aside.

The low price has created a demand for a very productive, healthy,
vigorous berry, so we have discarded Cumberland, Miner, Sharpless,

THE STRAWBERRY AND RASPBERRY. 201

Edgar Queen, Great Pacific, Jewell, Stayman, Jessie, Wilson, and
Enhance.

The past two seasons have been so unfavorable that it would be un-
just to pass an opinion on the newer sorts that we are testing. Of the
newer sorts, the Lovett did very well for the season and promises well,
also Robinson, which I think will make an excellent fertilizer, and
the Greenville, which I think has a good future. The Timbrell is
overestimated. Of the varieties set this year, the Brandywine is mak-
ing the strongest, healthiest, and most luxuriant growth, with Bissell
a close second. Enormous and Cyclone are making a good supply of
runners.

Another point I am frequently asked is how long will a strawberry
bed continue in fruiting in paying quantities. This is owing to the
season. Under ordinary conditions it should last six or seven years,
with proper cultivation. Our first planting consisted of three-fourths
of an acre, and we picked our largest crop the seventh season, which
brought $275. Before passing the strawberry I wish to caution the
inexperienced from setting plants from an old bed. Too many make
this mistake in order to economize.

RASPBERRIES.

I advise the planting of raspberries in young orchards whenever
possible. The trees not only help protect the bushes, but the rasp-
berries are beneficial to the trees, occupying considerable waste land
in the tree row that would otherwise be vacant. They also bear the
expense of cultivating the orchard and protecting the trees from being
barked by careless hands. Raspberries have always been a paying
crop with us, and are a fine crop this season, the demand far exceeding
the supply.

The red raspberry with us has made a huge failure during the past
eight years. ‘They have winter killed to the ground every winter, and
during this time all the red raspberries picked from one-half acre
would not make one good crop. They demand a sheltered place, and
then their room is preferable to their company. We have tried the
different methods of winter protection, and have found them unsatis-
factory as well as expensive. I would also advise setting them closer
in the row than we have been accustomed to. We shall plant here-
after two by six feet.

14

202 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

As to varieties, we have not as many sorts to choose from as the
strawberry. The Palmer is by far the best early blackcap we have.
It is larger than the Souhegan and a very strong, upright grower, very
productive, good in quality, and has been free from disease, During
the past seven years it has not winter-killed, while other well known
sorts planted along side of the Palmer have been injured very
seriously. We grow more favorable toward it each season. The
Hopkins begins to ripen before the Palmer is picked, and is our best
second early sort. It is superior in flavor and very productive; it
has been very hardy with us. The Nemaha is the best and most pro-
ductive large berry we have, and the best paying berry of the late
sorts. It is hard to identify the berry from the Gregg, it being only
superior in hardiness. The Kansas fruited for us this season and we
were somewhat disappointed in it. It is not as early as we expected,
nor as large as it was recommended to be. Its canes are of strong
growth and came through the winter uninjured. Itis larger than the
Palmer and of the best quality, and promises to be one of the best
paying second early sorts. ‘The Shafer is growing more out of favor
each season, having neither quality nor hardiness. It goes begging
for buyers. The Muskingum is of the Shafer type, but no improve-
ment except in hardiness. The Souhegan or Tyler, which has long
held the favor of berry growers as the best early blackcap, must give
way when the Palmer is better known. We shall discontinue plant-
ing the Souhegan, also the Gregg, as Nemaha is much the hardier.
The Japanese wineberry is a grand humbug, at least in the west.
The Mammoth Cluster is too far behind the times to continue in cul-
tivation. Carman and Johnson Sweet too small; Pioneer not pro-
ductive; Ohio the most vigorous and hardiest blackeap; would
recommend it where better sorts have winter killed. Munson’s Ever-
bearing will stand more cold and dry weather than any berry we
know. It is the first to ripen and very productive. Jam sorry to
say, however, that it is a very small berry, poor in quality, and crum-
bles some when picked. Would say, in conclusion, that our best pay-
ing blackcaps are Palmer, Hopkins, and Nemaha.

HOME CANNING OF FRUIT. 203

HOME CANNING OF FRUIT.

MRS. W. F. JENKINS.

As I have been requested to send an article on the home canning
of fruit and vegetables, I give the following directions for putting
up a few of those with which I have succeeded the best.

STRAWBERRIES.

Strawberries are a very juicy fruit and unless great care is taken
there will, when canned, be more juice than fruit. Pick four quarts
of not overripe berries, add one cup of water and two of sugar for a
two-quart can. Cook slowly but thoroughly. When cooked enough,
remove from the stove and wrap the can in a wet cloth to prevent
breaking, after which dip the berries into it, allowing the juice to
drain off, so that when the can is filled, the contents will be fruit and
not all juice. . Pile on all the can will hold and fasten cover. Turn
can on the side, and when no juice runs out it isair tight. I use the
juice left for cooking. It can be canned and kept any length of time,
and makes delicious puddings, frozen ices, ete. All juicy fruits should
be canned in this way. Too much sugar changes the flavor, and if
not sweet enough for the taste of everyone, more can be added when
the can is opened. Can all fruit as soon as possible after it is gathered.

CHERRIES.

Take out all pits. Use one cup sugar and one cup water for a two-
quart can.

PLUMS.

Plums should be peeled, which can easily be done when not too
ripe. One cup water and one and a half cups sugar for a two-quart
can.

APPLES, PEACHES, AND PEARS.

I steam until tender, pack in can, and make a syrup and pour over
them. The syrup must be boiling hot. I never cook fruit in cans
except for exhibition purposes.

204 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

SWEET CORN.

Sweet corn may be successfully canned as follows: Cut from cob
when just right for table use. Fill eight two-quart cans and pack the
corn in as solidly as possible, just set covers on but do not screw down.
Put two pieces of two-by-four across the ends of a wash boiler, then
fit in a board that is full of holes to let steam through. Put in about
eight quarts of water and set cans in on the board. Pack hay or
cloths around them so they will not touch each other, cover with the
boiler cover and boil four hours without stopping. When water gets
low, fill from boiling tea-kettle. When time is up, lift from stove, and
after steam passes off a little, put rubbers on and fasten down covers
very tight. Leave in the boiler until cool enough to handle. If this
plan is exactly carried out, you will have as fine canned corn as you
ever ate. I use the Mason can.

THE LEONARD METHOD OF ORCHARD PLANTING.

I. N. LEONARD.
[This article is supplemental to one which appeared in Vol. 25, page 75. |

I am requested to submit notes on the conduct of my orchards dur-
ing the years of 1894 and 1895, supplemental to my paper published
in the Horticultural Report of 1894.

The trees passed through the drouth of 1894 with an abundance of
soil moisture at all times. This condition was maintained throughout
the season, and during the severest of the drouth was examined by
representative men of the Nebraska experiment stations. The con-
dition during the year was an abundance of soil moisture to within a
half inch of the surface, so moist that the soil would ball in the hand
by gentle pressure, leaving the impress of the fingers. It was thought
by some that the moist condition was due to the fact that no crop
was grown among the trees and the orchard had been given strictly
clean and thorough cultivation.

The drouth during 1895 has been nearly assevere here as during 1894,
and to include the period from September 1 to January 1, 1896, has
been much worse. During the past season sweet corn, potatoes, cabbage,

LEONARD METHOD OF ORCHARD PLANTING. 205

and other garden vegetables were planted in one orchard, all of which
made a good average yield. ‘The corn was as good as the average corn
of a good season, the potatoes made a yield of 150 bushels per acre,
and cabbage, beets, tomatoes, melons, and beans were fully up to the
average of our best seasons. During this season this orchard has not
shown as much moisture, but had enough to make a good crop and to
keep trees up to a full average growth. During September the corn
and potatoes were harvested and the orchard cultivated. A two-horse
cultivator would throw up an abundance of moisture that could be
seen the full length of the orchard. The condition of this orchard
January 1, 1896, was found to be thoroughly moist to within one-half
inch of the surface. Of eighty-five trees set in the spring of 1895,
three Ben Davis and one York Imperial and two Jefferies perished
in the hot winds of September. ‘These trees were badly dried out
when planted and made a late start. Others of the same varieties
passed through the season in good condition.

This experimental work is in its third year and they have been three
of the hardest consecutive years ever known to the state, and yet trees
planted when two years of age now stand eleven feet in height and
nine and one-half inches in circumference one foot from the ground,
and some of the trees now measure nine feet from tip to tip through
the top. Many of the trees set their first fruits in 1895, some up to
as high as 150 apples, but were whipped off when about the size of
walnuts by sand storms in June, also many leaves.

East European plum trees have attained the heights of ten and
twelve feet and have a circumference of seven to ten inches one foot
from the ground. Communia, Dame Aubert, Moldavaka, Richland,
Hungarian Prone, Arab No. 2, and Orel 19 and 20 have borne their
first specimens of fruit. The first four named have, I believe, special
value, The fruit is of excellent quality and thus far wholly free from
the attacks of curculio and gougers. The last two named are a small
blue plum not larger than Blue Damsel. Native plums, Wyant,
Wolf, and a variety that came to me labeled Weir 49, but which is
_ said to be by nurserymen the Weaver plum, is a freestone and of ex-
cellent quality. The Wyant is a great bearer, freestone, and of good
quality. The Wolf has no value above the Miner.

East European cherries have borne their first specimens of fruit,
mostly running smaller than Richmond. Abbesie appears to be slow

206 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

in coming into bearing. They are the oldest and largest trees, but
have thus far borne no fruit.

East European pears are making a rapid growth, and thus far are
free from blight.

Bokara peaches have borne one crop. ‘The fruit is of good quality
and some larger than the average commercial size.

[Norr.—The following letter, from Colorado, offers some sugges-
tions along the same line: ]

LOVELAND, CoLo., September 11, 1895.
Mr. I. N. Leonard, Lincoln, Neb—DEAR Str: In reading your
Horticultural Report of 1894 (Nebraska) I see in that on page 77 a
discussion of best methods of planting apple or other fruit trees. I
believe I can help you very much out of your troubles in a new
method which some of our board have adopted and recommended to
others in planting fruit trees. That method is to dynamite your holes
for trees. Take a sharp crow-bar and probe down three or four or
more feet, put down a half or a whole stick of dynamite with cap and
fuse attached, and carefully put in fine dirt at first on dynamite, and
as nearing the top tamp as solidly as you can. Set fire to the fuse,
step back a few feet. When it goes off you have a hole that is fit to
set any tree in. Clear out holes a Jittle and put surface dirt to imbed

the tree. This will be worth thousands of dollars to Nebraska.
Respectfully, W. B. OsBorn.

HARRISON.

res Ria,

BPS gS oA

wea ty a

A Ik Maaatiea ON Gm DRUMS
MANS SA ESEN ae 2 i NCE ere

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DTS ct

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St Rhys

THE ETHICS OF HORTICULTURE. 209

THE ETHICS OF HORTICULTURE.

REV. C. S. HARRISON.

Plato and Aristotle give a good definition of ethics,—“ The perfect
development of a man’s self in moral and intellectual excellence.”
As a means to this end we will look at horticulture. We want to get
all the good we can out of it. It is not a matter merely of dollars
and cents. We want to lift it above the plane of hogs and corn and
unfold its grand mission, that it may make the world healthier, better,
and elevate it.

Too often, if a man knows how to insert a graft or put in a bud, he
is called a horticulturist. But the field is vast; it covers the world,
and gives study for a lifetime. It reaches from the useful up to the
beautiful. While it gives to the pocket it also ministers to the soul.
The horticulturist is the high priest of Nature—admitted into her
sanctuary, at home in her holy of holies. He is co-worker with God,
the senior partner furnishing the capital while the other does the work.
This makes a strong firm, as the man goes forth on his mission to
make the world better and more beautiful. The man helps God give
expression to his own plans and purposes for advancing the world’s
weal.

They tell of a London pugilist who was soundly converted. He
hadn’t a great deal to bring as he crossed the dividing line, but he took
his pluck and muscle with him and in his own peculiar way conse-
erated them to the new cause. One night a company of roughs came
in to disturb the meeting. Somebody went up to the minister and
told him that Tom was making it lively out in the entrance. He
hurried to the scene, and the stalwart convert was laying the foe right
and left. Three or four were in a battered and dazed condition.
“Oh,” said he, “Tom! Tom! the Bible says, ‘ Vengeance is mine, I
will repay, saith the Lord.’” ‘ Yes,’ said Tom, as he dealt the bully
of the crowd a staggering blow, “and I’se just a helping the Lord to
give ’em vengeance, and now,” said he, “lads, I’se got a new Master
and I ain’t going to see Him insulted, nuther,” and with that he led

210 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

three or four of them up to one of the front seats where they could
get the truth at short range, and turning to his minister he said:
“Now, you help the Lord up to that end and I will attend to this
end, and we will have a first-class meeting.” Helping the Lord.
Now, that is pretty good. I want to talk about it a little while, of
this partnership of capital and labor in human and divine relation-
ship.

Let us turn back a little. When the great coal measures were being
formed and the lakes of oil were being distilled for the use of men to-
day, there was little of beauty. The time for flowers and fruits was
not yet. The huge ichthyosaurus with his dull brain didn’t need roses,
and he could live without strawberries. It was not necessary to raise
oranges and bananas for these huge monsters of sea and land. Mists.
enveloped the earth, and there was no glory of cloudland, no rainbow,
none of the splendors of the air. Note this as you follow the ages
down in the vast preparation for the coming of man. You will note
that all along the lines everything was converging toward the coming
Prince who was to be hailed by all nature as the Son of God. As
His time drew near the grains and vegetables began to appear, ex-
quisite flowers began to bloom, and luscious fruits were provided. At
least the species were formed out of which sprang unending variety.

Stranger still, as we draw near the human era, those marvelous
gems—earth’s fadeless flowers—were formed, beautiful, rich, and im-
perishable. Beauty for the ages, the topaz; the opal, sea of glass
mingled with fire; the emerald, in which is garnered the greenness of
earth and sea; the sapphire, with the azure compressed in its marvel-
ous blue; and the diamond, the richest of them all. ‘These were
formed in comparatively recent times. ‘The diamond grew by accre-
tions and has layers like an onion. Some gems are growing now.
Though God made the gems, he never mines them. He does not run
a lapidary. He does not polish them or give them their setting in the
field of gold. There was the peacock throne of India. Every feather
of the wonderful bird made of exquisite gems. It was worth fifty
million dollars. It was one mingled blaze of dazzling splendor.
One eastern prince had a flower garden made of jewels and they were
always in bloom. Now these wonderful stones were not formed in
the heart of the earth, but near the surface. They were not hung on
trees where they could easily be picked. Men had to work for them.

THE ETHICS OF HORTICULTURE. 211

Beauty of every type belongs to that geologic age to which man be-
longs. With man came the splendor of the sky and those mountains
of burning amber and gold which often stand sentinel at the gates of re-
tiring day. I never knew an ox or a horse to show the least apprecia-
tion of the beautiful, but I have seen the child of a year old go into an
ecstasy of rapture over a gorgeous sunset, and apostrophize in baby
glee and in his unknown tongue the loveliness with which he wished
to be better acquainted. I have driven over vast areas of wild flow-
ers where, far as the eye could reach, greenness and blossom were
blended and the air was all fragrant with the breath of the sweetness,
but I never knew my horse to take the least interest in it all. So we
are irresistibly brought to the conclusion that all the beauty and splen-
dor of earth and sky, the loveliness of forest and plain, and mountain
sublimity are especially for man. All these things are the alphabet
by which he is to study the sublimer lessons of the hereafter.

It is amazing how man can develop the useful and the beautiful
and what he has done with the material given him. In the Arnold
Arboretum of Boston are about six of the world’s primitive apples.
These in their own habitats have remained the’same with no power to
improve themselves, some of these apples no larger than a currant,
and it is supposed that hybridization and cultivation has evolved from
these the mighty and luscious apple family of to-day.

The single flower is a product of nature, the double flower the de-
vice of man to a large extent. Who ever saw a double rose growing
wild? Some of the brightest intellects of the world are now at work
on new species. I have a friend who is at work on developing new
roses. He crossed the little single rose of Japan with the General
Jack and sold the product for $300. There is an endless field for de-
velopment here. We have no idea how much of talent there is given
to the science of horticulture. In our eastern states they have gath-
ered the beauty of the world, and by crossing and improving, there
are almost endless varieties. I have seen 120 kinds of lilacs alone,
and the work of improvement has only just begun. So with the
honeysuckle. Going through a nursery in Massachusetts I saw an
upright honeysuckle one flaming mass of red berries. “Where did
you get that?” I asked. “Raised it from seed” was the answer.

A friend of mine saw a remarkable shrub growing in Newbury-
port, Mass. It was one mass of white. He took a branch down to

212 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Only one
man could name it. It was the Viburnum tomentosum of Japan. A
single flowering snowball. What a furor it awakened. One horti-
culturist got a chance to cut off the twigs and he set his greenhouse at
work striking cuttings. One got on the track of some in Europe and
bought them all. I saw them growing and helped cut some for the
greenhouse propagation. Then I thought of the future of the plant.
Somebody would get seedlings from it, which would if possible be an
improvement, and this would go on and on. Our French and Ger-
man horticulturists are hard at work improving the beauty of the
world, and some of our own propagators are doing wonders. Jack-
son Dawson put a trailing juniper on a red cedar and made an ever-
green umbrella and sold it for $50. ‘There is money in brains, and
earth has a broader range than cattle, hogs, and hominy.

There is no science on earth which brings in such marvelous re-
turns. Iertile brains and deft hands are sure of areward. The high
priest of nature has wonderful advantages. He goes into a new land
and to him is given the eye of prophecy. He sees in the earth and
air, in the sun and shower, millions on millions of bushels of luscious
apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, and berries. He plants the
trees, shrubs, and vines, and, too, the crystallization of all this unseen
wealth. Around him in the viewless air and in the furrows are arches
of beauty, marvelous in fullness and fragrance. He has only to plant
the bushes and the bulbs and they rise before him like children of the
light.

The multiplication of species and varieties is something marvelous.
The facility of propagation almost surpasses belief. The stock-grower
pushes his show animals till they can go no further. They are the
last of their race. The horticulturist pushes his products till he has
the seedless grape and pear and orange wonderful in beauty, and so
with flowers. Many of the most lovely are sterile, yet by budding
and grafting the process goes on with wonderful rapidity. Dr. Bull,
of Concord, died only last year, but the old Concord vine is yet alive
and thriving in his garden. But who can estimate the vast train loads
of vines and fruits which have come from that parent vine. It al-
most passes belief. Why if the progeny, vine and fruit, were piled
up by the pound it would be a vast mountain.

Ages ago there grew a beautiful shrub in Abyssinia; thence it was

THE ETHICS OF HORTICULTURE. 213

sent to Arabia, then to Africa, thence to Ceylon. It grows to the
height of fifteen or twenty feet and in springtime it is covered with
blossoms of snowy white. A thousand years ago its product was un-
known to commerce. Now it is one of the world’s staples, the coffee
tree, and its treasures are found in all lands and climes. There is a
remarkable history of one plant. In 1690 there was no coffee save
what was raised in Abyssinia and Arabia. Some merchants brought
a few seeds to the governor-general of the East Indies. He planted
them in his garden and from these Java was supplied. He sent one
plant to a friend in Holland. It was planted in the Botanical Garden
in Amsterdam. Plants from this stock were sent to the western conti-
nent and other parts of the world, and it is now estimated that one-
half of the entire production is from that Amsterdam plant—almost
a billion pounds a year coming from that one parent. About the
fourth century a few plants with fair white blossoms were taken from
Corea to China, and thence sprang that marvelous industry, the tea
trade.

This profession is at the morning of a glorious achievement. Some
of us whose hair is growing gray wish we could look well over intoa
new century and see the marvelous transformations. We are just
ready to do something. The art of propagation is understood as never
before. Improvement by hybridizing and other processes is now well
underway. The choicest products of the world are being gathered
within a few years. Luscious fruits by nature too tender for our try-
ing climate have been transferred to hardier stocks, as in the case of
many of our apples. The Wealthy apple alone has moved the fruit
belt north 200 miles. So with other fruits. We shall have crosses
which will give luscious cherries on hardy stocks. And so far as
flowers are concerned, what attainments have been made? See the
displays of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society every week for
sixteen months and see what progress is made, with more to follow.

Horticulture is the most ancient and honorable of the employments
which have come down to us. The parent of the human race was put
in the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it, and some way the
work grew upon him so he had to have an assistant, and so the mother
of the human race belonged to the same calling. It had a wide range
even in those far off days. There were “trees pleasant to the sight
and good for food,” fruit and ornamental trees. The Saviour of men

214 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

was a horticulturist also, How vivid the story of the barren fig tree
which for three years disappointed the owner, “cut it down, why cum-
bereth it the ground,” and the gardener pleads for another year, he will
dig about it and fertilize it, “Oh, let it have a year more.”

I am the vine, ye the branches. He pruneth it that it may bring
forth more fruit.

There never was a more exquisite poem given in any language than
the unmetered song of triumph Christ left for his followers:
‘*Consider the lilies how they grow; they toil not, they spin not:

Yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If, then, God so clothe the grass which is to-day in the field and to-morrow is cast
into the oven, how much more you, oh, ye of little faith ?”’

Grapes of thorns. The good tree bringeth forth good fruit.

Everything the Great Teacher touched He glorified. The raven
and the sparrow, the mustard seed, the tree, the seed falling from the
hand of the sower, the grass, and the flower, are the mute sermons, the
beauty of whose unspoken eloquence will cheer tired mortals while
the ages go by.

The softening, elevating, and harmonizing influence of flowers is
well known. They are messengers of peace, sympathy, and love.
The little child dragging out a desolate life in the dark alley of the
city, shut away from the fragrance of the greenness of a beautiful
world, is wonderfully encouraged by the presence of a single flower
which seems to lighten her burdens, and the life of the tired mother
is freshened as she looks at the little messenger which brings sweetness
and fragrance into her lowly dwelling. The flower missions in our
great cities are important factors in the way of encouragement.

Some years ago Mr. Baker, then gardener of the Old Colony rail-
road, said, I am carrying on one of the most important branches of
city missions.” He wanted the railroad company to plant every plat
of ground in and near the city with flowers. They said, ‘It is no use,
the children will destroy them.” Said he, “I will see to that,” and
having gotten permission, he went ahead. Every spring and often in
the summer he planted for a succession of flowers. Children by the
hundred gathered around him. ‘ Now,” said he, “these flowers are
ours—yours and mine, but they must not be picked; we want to see
them bloom, and we want the people to see them as they go in and
out of the city.’ Then he explained each kind and when they would

THE ETHICS OF HORTICULTURE. 215

bloom, and having a great abundance he brought a large quantity to
distribute. They were accepted by girls and boys with rapturous de-
light, and ever after they looked upon flowers as sacred things and their
blooming was watched with an intensity of interest.

Years ago in one of our cities there was a woman who was an
Amazon in wickedness. She was a most desperate character. It took
half a dozen policemen to arrest her, Her huge hand, like the paw
of a bear, soon made a fine uniform rags. One day she had been
worse than ever. It seemed as if all the resources of power were ex-
hausted, and she only grew worse and worse. She seemed to hate her
own sex also, and often sent them from her presence with most violent
language. In oneof the asylums was a quiet and saintly matron who
had a most intense desire to see and help the poor wayward creature.
Hearing she had been arrested again, she begged a chance to see her.
They said it would be madness, that she would be torn in pieces.
Preparing a beautiful bouquet of flowers, she insisted on going into
her cell. She found her an object of terror. Her countenance was
distorted with rage, and her eyes blazed with such fierceness the jan-
itor was glad to get out of their range. Nothing daunted, our good
lady went up to her with tears of pity in her eyes and said: “My
poor sister, I am so sorry you have such sore trouble. I bring you
these flowers.”’ ‘You call yourself my sister. How is this?” ‘We
have the same Brother, his name is Jesus, and of course we are sisters ;
and see these flowers.” Flowers and love prevailed, and for the first
time in years she wept. Her woman-soul came back again.

The farmer should be also a horticulturist. It belongs to him to
beautify the fairest lands on earth. Many a man has made his home
yard a cattle-pen and a pig-sty. Everything must bend to beef and
pork. The family have no rights which the hog and steer are bound
to respect. That ground about the house might be adorned with su-
preme loveliness. A clump of evergreens here and of flowering
shrubs there, graceful walks and well kept beds of flowers—an at-
tractive instead of a repulsive home. Many a noble woman with love
for the beautiful has died under the slow martyrdom of ugliness.
Deformity where harmony should prevail. Home made so repulsive
the children cannot and will not stay. The home, which should be a
bower of beauty, becomes a weariness and detestation. We mourn
the exodus from the country into the city where people climb over

216 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

each other to find work. Much of this is owing to the fact that the
average farmer puts forth no effort to make home attractive, whereas
a little money and a good deal of care would make home so alluring
it would be hard, very hard, to leave it, and the very thought of it will
be a refreshing memory. Now, it is strange that when the farmer
is so very apt and intelligent about everything else he should be so
deficient along this line. Why, he can tell you all about a railroad
from the tie to the roundhouse, and how much it costs to run it, and
all about the minutize of it, far better than men who have been forty
years in the business. He knows all about currency. He can talk
bi-metallism, silver and gold, and greenbacks till you are tired. Send
him to the legislature and he is a natural detective. He will appro-
priate $40,000 or $50,000 to smell] out a fraud and then appropriate to
the horticultural department of a great state just about enough fora
respectable coffin for it. But in horticulture he persists in being ut-
terly and entirely indifferent, and so fraud comes along and preys on
his ignorance.

There are two classes of men who sell trees. One is the tree fiend.
No one knows whence he comes or whither he goes. One visit is
enough, ultimately bringing up at the fiend’s home. He used to sell
Russian apples at seventy-five cents and then go over to Lowa nurser-
ies and pick these same Russian trees out of refuse brush piles to fill
his bills. He is famous for selling an immense amount of cheek and
lip and very poor trees. Then there is the tree dealer. God bless
him. He isa benediction. He awakens an interest and an enthusi-
asm. Most of our fine orchards and fine grounds are traceable to his
influence. He does not get rich at it, but he is a blessing to a new
land. You know where to find him. He gladly rectifies mistakes.
Well, to return to the fiend. I meta fiend in Polk county one day
who told me with great glee that he had “just bought twelve tree
strawberries for only $3.” ‘Is that so,” said I. Then that city girl
was not so far out of the way after all. She was visiting out in the
country with some friends and they noticed she was constantly looking
up into the tops of a stately row of elms. ‘‘ What are you looking for
up there?” “Oh,” was the sweet answer, “I wanted to find some
strawberries.” Another fiend met a prominent farmer in Adams county
and he took him out to see his orchard and he asked him why it didn’t
bear. ‘Well, I will examine it.” He had a little magnifying glass

THE ETHICS OF HORTICULTURE. 217

and he took it out and examined the buds, cut some of them open, and
put them under most careful inspection. He went from tree to tree and
from row to row, and he was so intent the farmer says, “ Now that
fellow understands his business.” When he got through he said,
“¢ Have your trees ever blossomed?” ‘Yes, but they fell off.” ‘ Ex-
actly just as I expected. Every tree in your orchard I find is a fe-
male tree, so the pollen or blossom dust is not fertilized. Now you
must buy a lot of male trees and plant between these rows,” and he
actually sold the man several hundred trees at an enormous price.
Too often all the recommendation the tiller of the soil wants is that
the man is a total stranger. Then his influence seems to be supreme,

There is no science that makes such a speedy impression on a land
as this of horticulture, and it should be studied more than it is. The
magnificent Bussey institute of Boston, in connection with Harvard,
sometimes will not have a dozen students. I hope the time will come
when text-books will be used in all our academies and colleges. We
are glad we have a department connected with this University.

A western college president once asked me to come and see his
eatalpas which he thought were coming up. He planted a quantity
for a timber claim. I went to see them. There was not a catalpa
there, only a milkweed. ‘“ How deep did you plant them?” “Qh,
about six or eight inches, and stamped the ground solid.” ‘ Well,”
said I, “take off your hat and bid them an affectionate farewell, for
you will never see them again.” Then he pointed to a fine lot of
apple trees he had just planted. The rows resembled the zigzags of a
Virginia rail fence, only the “zigs” didn’t match the ‘‘zags” atall. It
was the worst job I ever saw. I lost all my respect for his Greek and
Latin, and asked how he ever expected his students to lead straight
lives with such rows of trees to look at. Many a man having no
knowledge or care in the matter of tree-planting is induced to buy a
dozen trees. The drouth and cattle soon make way with them, and
then he is like the Irishman who wanted to try the luxury of a feather
bed.

I think no material trust was ever given to a man of more impor-
tance than a good farm. It needs more than three mules to work it,
one to drive and the others to pull the plow. It is against Scripture,
“Be not as the horse or the mule which have no understanding.”
The farm gives the owner one of the grandest foundations for a full
orbed and well developed character.

218 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Floriculture gives delightful employment to ladies. It should be
a field of conquest for them, It is immensely ahead of puppy culture.
In this age of widening horizons, it is sad to see the soul of a young
woman narrowed down to supreme affection for a little dog. Said a
a very small and exquisite dude to a young lady: “ Wouldn’t you
like a little puppy?” ‘‘Oh,” said she, with a gasp of breath, “give
me time; this is so sudden.” Another young lady sat stroking her
dog. As her white fingers went flashing through his silken hair and
he sat there drinking into his dog’s soul the deep bliss of such kindly
attention, a young fellow, looking on lovingly, said: ‘I wish I was
adog.” “Well, you'll grow.”

The noble science of which we are speaking opens wide possibilities
and an endless fund of enjoyment. It permits the young enthusiast
to take the blank leaves of nature and fill them up with pictures of
transcendent loveliness. He is said to be a benefactor who makes
two blades of grass grow where there was only one. What shall we
say of the victor, who, in place of the grass, calls out from the unseen
forms of loveliness which are a joy to the eye and an inspiration to the
soul. ‘Kindly Mother Nature ever stands before us, and in the in-
tensity of her longing would unfold before us the treasures of her
store-house, Art unlocks her doors, enters her palace, and brings out
her marvelous gifts.”

It should be the mission of this Horticultural Society to demand
some rights in the name of this great commonwealth. Having seen
the wealth, culture, and energy and enthusiasm displayed in some of
our older states, [ am impressed with the fact that there is something
sadly lacking in Nebraska, so, instead of being content with a crumb,
we should now and then demand a loaf. We need a fine conservatory
laid out on a generous plan, and hail proof, where our students, where
the farmers and the people can come and in a short time become ac-
quainted with the treasures of the tropical world. Such a place is
needed for some of the more delicate experiments of horticulture which
cannot be carried on in the turbulent climate of the outside world.
Again, we should have plenty of room and plenty of means for out-
door experiments. All the past years we have as a state played a little
at horticulture. Now we need to get down to business. Our state
has had a hard time, but will emerge. from these terrible drouths and
show unwonted vigor. This long season of trial has been healthy.

THE ETHICS OF HORTICULTURE. “(7 219

It has shown what will endure trial and what will not. We are
amazed at the possibilities of our soil. For three years we have seen
orchards Jaden with fruit when in all that time it was impossible for
a drop of water to reach the lower roots, Our eastern counties con-
stitute one of the finest fruit belts of the world, and all over the state
we begin to know our possibilities. Instead of yielding to discour-
agement it is time to sound the “forward march.” Every farmer can
have a select patch near his windmill, and the time to irrigate is in the
winter. Let the subsoil be Jaden with moisture in the spring; then,
with good cultivation, you can laugh at what may come. Irrigation
will be used more and more. Our rivers carry off waste enough to
make a whole state fruitful. Time will come when the farmer may
have his greenhouse, which will be a pleasure and a profit. ‘Very
economical plants can be put in at small expense, and with a little care
even exotic grapes can be raised with profit, and home can have both
luxury and beauty. Art aids nature wonderfully. Our bright win-
ter suns would aid greenhouses materially. An English horticultur-
ist tells me that nature cannot keep up with art, that there is no cli-
mate and there are no conditions so perfect as man creates under the
glass. Pineapples are made to grow twice their natural size, and the
Muscat grape has been grown in clusters two feet long with the berries
cut in two large enough to match the old English penny. ‘There is
very much waste time in winter which could be very profitably de-
voted to the greenhouse, bringing the beauty of a tropical summer
into the frozen heart of winter.

But aside from this what changes can be produced? In 1884 I
started a place under the 100th meridian. I raised evergreens from
seed by the thousand and planted thousands more from the Rockies.
I found that forty kinds of lilacs did remarkably well and there were
twenty kinds of honeysuckles that were a decided success. ‘There was
a large family of a dozen kinds of syringas, also flowering almonds,
and a large family of hardy roses. There were deciduous trees of forty
kinds or more, and a large collection furnished by eastern friends. For
some time it was an experiment station connected with this Society.
It seemed almost an elysium of beauty. Farmers would come from
their bleak prairie homes and wander about in astonishment that such
changes could be wrought in so short a time. Well, I was obliged to
leave and then came three years of drouth, and neglect, and weeds,

15

220 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Weeds instead of beauty. Now you can go there after the hot wind
has scorched out and smitten every tender thing, and fruit and orna-
mental trees have succumbed, and what is left will endure. What a
weeding out of every vine. How the spruces went down! White,
Norway, Black Hills, and Douglas dazed and staggered, not killed.
But there is the Ponderosa in all its rugged beauty, not one missing;
and there the Platte and Rocky Mountain cedars and the Concolor,
and there the Chinese Arbor Vite. These five trees went unscathed
through the fiery furnace, and perhaps I should also mention the Aus-
trian pine. These all seemed to lift up their heads as to an old friend
and said, ‘‘ Did you say drouth? We have not noticed it.”” So there
are things which will stand, and to these we give preference, and I
know that amid the most adverse circumstances of hail and blizzard,
and sirocco, there are things which will endure the test. I for one and
with others have spent a good many thousands finding out what I could
not do, but it is worth thousands more to find out what we can do,
and there is no use in being discouraged. If the phlegmatie Hol-
lander can smoke his pipe complacently while he raises his great Hol-
steins below the sea level, the Nebraska farmer should not be discour-
aged while he lives over an underground ocean, One uses a windmill
to pump out the ocean, the other can use the same power, to a limited
extent at least, to raise the inland sea. Artificial screen and shelters
do much. I had one-half an acre under screen—an artificial forest,
and thus sheltered it was wonderful how trees would grow and flow-
ers would bloom, and how easy it was to raise seedlings and tender
vegetables. Let a man think, study, read, and experiment, and with
resources already at hand, he will be amazed at what he can accom-
plish.

I once visited the home of Webster with his old pastor, Rey. Alden,
descendant of John and Priscilla. A poor piece of ground, but the
touch of genius was there. There was the little office where he forged
those mighty thunderbolts more vigorous than those welded by the
hand of iron. There was where, while dying, he had the cattle driven
by his window that he might see their honest faces and bid them good-
bye. I looked over it, all that barren farm transformed into beauty,
and then I wished we had the brains of a Webster to run every farm
in Nebraska, and what a transformation would come over us. What
we want is more brains and less weeds, smaller farms, better kept, and

THE ETHICS OF HORTICULTURE. 222

fewer mortgages. Never one acre of land west of the Missouri river
has ever been put to its fullest test. Yes, give us rich thought and we
shall have a rich land. While genius is harnessing the powers above
and around and making obedient servants of the lightnings, we want
not altogether the genius which walks the air, but which will walk the
earth and transform it and glorify it.

It is possible that the conditions of the other life will bear some
resemblance to this. On this earth we find the key which unlocks
many of the mysteries of other worlds. Here we have about seventy
elements entering into combination to form this globe and some twenty-
five of the same elements have been tossed upon this earth by those
heavenly trumps the meteors, and the spectroscope shows that the
flames burning in the mantles of the far off sun is the combustion of
such material as earth affords. It may have been real gems John saw
flashing in the wall of heaven. Horticulture stands looking from the
fairest landscapes of earth with their wondrous adorning of shrub and
tree and flowers of wondrous hue. Vast possibilities hem us in here.
There will be a different world here a hundred years from now, and
looking from the fields of future development, men will be impressed
with the thought of more beyond. You know the legend of Gibral-
tar,—‘‘ Ne plus ultra.” The promise of more beyond meets us on
every hand. You collect the fairest gems of earth and they awaken
a longing for more beauty, more splendor. You listen to the strains.
of the sweetest song and you seem wet with the spray of a vast ocean
of melody whose mighty billows roll in from the evermore. The:
highest art inspires an almost pensive longing for some higher art,
which is to be unveiled hereafter. Beauty of gem, of foliage, and
bloom are prophetic of the beauty of the Lord which is to be upon
us. The poet tells of

i ‘“Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood,
And never withering flowers.’’
There the water of life’s river irrigates the heavenly plains, and there
is the tree of life in the fullness of its beauty and fruitage.

Sometimes there comes to the soul, as it nears the border, foretastes
of the awaiting splendor. I cannot forget the vision of a little girl,
who died on the frontier, who spoke in rapture of the wonderful farm
filled with such beautiful trees and flowers. In October, during the
great exposition, I lay at the point of death. I could almost look

222 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

over to the further shore. I remember one night we had just received
news from some of our friends, and though but half conscious, I took
in some of their descriptions of the beauties they saw and the raptures
they awakened. There were descriptions of plants, flowers, tapestries,
and adornings, and with the thought of all these things clinging about
me, blending with the memory of the marvelous exhibits of the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which I often attended, I went
over into the land of dreams, and I wandered that night in an expo-
sition which the genius and wealth of earth could never devise. I was
in Elysian fields. The horizons were frescoed with the shifting and
flashing splendors of the aurora borealis. Above, light itself had dis-
solved into rainbow hues and all the azure was aglow with unrivaled
splendor. And such forests of flowers! You have seen vast bouquets
of roses with their harmony of color. Such I saw, only they grew
into trees of marvelous size, and from lowest twig to topmost bough
one full blaze of beauty. There were vast and stately forests of
azaleas and rhododendrons, strangers to our western eyes. ‘There were
forests of chrysanthemums yast as the trees of the Yosemite, and there
I wandered back and forth in a very intoxication of rapture. It was
the beauty of earth drawn out on a vaster scale. I awoke in the utter
exhaustion of rapture. In the morning I told my friends Chicago
was nowhere, and all its beauty was but dross, for I had been in a
erander exposition than earth could possbly give. I do not claim the
vision to have been an absolute unveiling of the reality, and yet it
opened to meamazing possibilities. For beyond us is a country where
our fairest dreams are verities; where the most adventurous fancy
shall sit on a throne and be satisfied; where the wish shall be the
reality. All things are yours; the universe is to be your university
and eternity the term time. Al the sciences true here are true beyond.
We are destined for growth, not to be dwarfs. All truth is God’s.
Read his book of nature, as well as that of grace,—a book illustrated
as no other volume can be, with vast nebulee, which are cities of stars;
with resplendent suns; with effulgence of the sky and ocean grandeur ;
with flash and sparkle of river and lake; with mountain sublimity ;
with glory of plain, forest, and landscape.

THE PEACH. O93

“THE PEACH IN NEBRASKA.”—DISCUSSION.
ANSWERS BY J. M. RUSSELL.

QueEstTION—I would like to ask Mr. Russell if he cannot find a
freestone peach that will ripen as early as the cling?

ANSwWER—AImost. Iam going to show that pretty soon. Ihave
the, peach here on exhibition and will show it. This is the fruit.
[Showing fruit. ]

QuESTION— What name do you give it?

ANSWER—We call it “The Russell No. 1.”

QUESTION
one year and some another year, so that there is always some fruit?

I would like to ask if there are some trees which bear

ANSWER—NO, sir; not always; some years we get none at all.
QueEsrion—Is it because of the cultivation every other year?
ANSWER—NbO, sir.

QuEsTIonN—Might you not get it started so that some trees would
bear this year and some the next.

ANSWER—NoO, sir; some years all varieties will kill.

Question—Is it not on account of the condition of the buds in the
fall?

AnswEer—Yes, sir; I suppose the condition of the buds at that
time has something to do with it.

Question—I would like to ask if you think that the buds mature
any better the year that you have the crop?

ANswER—I suppose so. I cannot account for it. One year the
sleet killed them. If the buds are soaked when the freezing begins it
will kill them.

QuEsTIoN—The question that I was going to ask was, what va-
riety you would recommend if you were going to recommend but one
variety. ‘The one that would be most successful over the greatest ter-
ritory.

ANSWER—I would recommend the Wright.

Question—Have you ever tried early fall trimming to secure good,
hardy buds?

224 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANsWER—lI have not.

QuESTION—A man told me that he tried it, and the trees he cut back
bore fruit while the same variety were a failure. He cut one-half of
the limb. Is not that the California system of pruning?

ANnsweR—Yes, sir; I think it is. I think they are practicing that
in California quite largely.

IRRIGATION FOR ORCHARD AND GARDEN IN
NEBRASKA.

I. N. FORT.

I am requested to confine myself to facts and results, as the theory
of the benefits of irrigation for fruits is now acknowledged and ad-
mitted in our state.

The first successful orchard planted and grown in Lincoln county
was created by a homesteader by the name of Edwin Myers, who lo-
cated on a piece of government land near the mouth of Morin canyon,
about twelve miles southeast of North Platte on the south side of the
Platte river. Mr. Myers planted in 1876 an orchard of about one-
half acre, consisting of apple, peach, pear, and other fruit trees. Not
believing in the theory of the increase in rainfall, and having seen the
benefits derived from irrigating while soldiering in Arizona and New
Mexico, he collected all the empty barrels that he could gather from
about the fort, seven miles east of his place. These he set where they
could be pumped full by the windmill, and every evening about sun-
down the water was allowed to run off on to the orchard. Mr.
Myers successfully raised quite a quantity of apples, peaches, and small
fruit. He sold this place in 1886, and as the orchard passed into the
hands of parties from the east who knew nothing of the value of ir-
rigation, but little success has been the result until the past years.
But since the irrigation movement has taken place, and now the owner
is successfully raising fruit by the use of the old irrigation method of
windmill and pump. Small fruits have borne splendidly on this place.
Mr. Myers was also very successful with his garden.

In 1884 Harry Hershey, a resident of our county, moved upon the
lands west of North Platte that could be irrigated by the North Platte

IRRIGATION FOR ORCHARD AND GARDEN. 225

canal. Mr. Hershey at once planted a small orchard of two acres.
The trees were of a number of the different hardy varieties, and con-
sisted of apple, cherry, pear, and plum trees. With all these he has
had splendid success. The trees have borne fruit steadily since 1889.
His losses are very light. Mr. Hershey has had splendid success in
growing grapes. These never fail to produce fruit every season. Mr.
Hershey waters his trees twice during growing season, once immedi-
ately after the trees have blossomed and the small fruit commences to
form; once when the fruit is increasing rapidly in size and give indi-
cations of ripening. Vegetables are grown between the rows, but
that will be discontinued owing to the large size that the trees have
now attained. With small fruits the yields of all varieties are enor-
mous. Mr. Hershey has now about five acres in orchard.

H. Otter, whose farm is situated about six miles northwest of
North Platte, is another successful irrigation farmer and _fruit-
grower. Mr. Otter has about ten acres now growing to fruit. His
oldest trees are six years of age, and they have borne already quite a
quantity of fruit. In 1895 he picked twenty bushels of apples from
five of the oldest trees. All varieties of apples do well. Grapes give
a very abundant yield, and Mr. Otter is demonstrating that with ir-
rigation, Nebraska can excel in producing this class of fruit and of
excellent quality.

William Park, of North Platte, has now thirty acres of fruit trees
planted on his farm that is situated eight miles west of North Platte.
As Mr. Park’s trees have been planted but two years, it is too early
to give any results. Irrigation is the method by which Mr. Park ex-
pects to raise fruit and compete with the Colorado and California fruit-
growers. His orchard is planted every year to vegetables, and the
water that is used to irrigate these crops also irrigates the trees. After

_the trees have commenced bearing, this will be discontinued in order
to enable the trees to obtain all the subsistence possible from the soil.
Mr. Park’s trees are set out and planted on the Parker Earl block
system. In his orchard he has the following varieties: Ben Davis,
Jefferies, York Imperial, Maiden Blush, Red Astrachan, Baldwin,
Stark, King, Shockley, Minkler, and all the standard varieties. In ir-
rigating fruit trees no water is allowed to come in contact with the
bark or trunk of the tree. On this farm the depth to water is ten
feet. Mr. Park’s trees are all in a healthy growing condition, and if

226 ~~ §NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the success attained on smaller farms is any criterion, Mr. Park’s or-
chard will in a few years return him a large income.

Another fruit-grower who expects to successfully raise fruit by irri-
gation in Lincoln county is William Conners. In 1895 Mr. Conners
planted 11,000 fruit trees. Immediately after planting, the ground
was well irrigated. Asa result only twelve trees were lost from the
whole number planted, a fraction over one per thousand; but few
fruit-growers can show this result. Until the trees reach a bearing
age, the land will be cultivated to crops that can be tilled.

N. B. Spurrier is another successful fruit-grower. On this farm
five acres are now planted in orchard.

On the farm of Samuel Hostettor a fine orchard is now to be found
with all the trees in a healthy growing condition. Mr.+Hostettor’s
trees are as yet not of an age sufficient to show what the result will
be for the larger varieties of fruit. During the past season of 1895
he sold two hundred dollars worth of grapes that were picked from
his vines. His small fruits produce wonderfully under irrigation.

William White is another farmer who has now ten acres planted to
fruit trees. Mr. Jenkins and David Hunter are also successfully
growing fruit. All these farms lay west of North Platte, and they
are irrigated by the North Platte canal.

One great difficulty the people of central and western Nebraska
have met are the fallacies that have been current in relation to the
proper method of growing fruit trees. The rules that were generally
accepted as correct in Ohio and Indiana have been transplanted to
Nebraska, with the result that failure has followed failure, and disas-
tar succeded disaster.

The Nebraska statutes contain a law that encourages the planting
of rows of trees on the north and west of each quarter section.
Actual experience has shown that we should protect ourselves from the.
hot winds of the south and west. The north winds do us but little
damage. We have discovered that in planting fruit trees a slope
facing the north and east is bringing the most successful return to the
fruit-grower. We have also discovered that we should trim our trees
at the top so as to prevent the tree attaining any great height, the
nearer we can make the tree grow in shape of an open umbrella the
better the tree produces and thrives. We have also discovered that
planting thickly is beneficial, and that where we can protect the soil

IRRIGATION FOR ORCHARD AND GARDEN, AIA

from the scorching rays of the sun, the growth and productiveness of
the trees are accelerated and increased. We recommend that trees be
planted from ten to eighteen feet apart; plums and peaches even nearer
than these distances. But where trees are thus plated thickly, irri-
gation is imperatively required and necessary. In Lincoln county
we have successfully grown peaches by this method.

There are two good examples of windmill irrigation that should be
mentioned. J. C. Keen, who resides about seven miles north of
North Platte, among what are known as the “sand hills,’ has an
orchard of about three-fourths of an acre. He has been successfully
irrigating this tract for about seven years. By the means of a twelve-
foot windmill pumping the water from a well 120 feet deep, he has
grown apples, pears, peaches, and other fruit that would compare fa-
vorably with the Grand Junction fruit of Colorado. His orchard is
also in the garden and the water applied is made to do double duty.
D. B. McNeal, who resides about twelve miles northwest of North
Platte, whose orchard is also on a sand hill or ridge, has about an acre
planted to fruit trees. He makes his water or mill do triple duty.
The well is about twenty feet deep. The water is first pumped into
the creamery tank, from this it flows into the cattle troughs or tanks
in the corral; from thence, when any remains, it is conveyed into the
orchard and garden. His trees are planted very thick, and they are
protected on the south by the cattle sheds, on the west by a grove of
cottonwood. The windmills used are the old-fashioned wooden pump-
ing mills. Both these small orchards are situated on what we called
“sand hill land.” The garden is also situated with the orchard.

Another successful fruit-grower is William Stafford, of Big Springs,
Neb. Mr. Stafford has now erected and at work six windmills, all
pumping into a reservoir of about an acre in extent. His orchard
occupies about five acres of land, and being young has only borne a
small quantity of fruit, but he has no difficulty in maintaining a rapid
and steady growth to his trees, and has demonstrated that all western
Nebraska requires is water to make it the leading fruit section of the
plains.

In regard to the cost of irrigation, this is difficult to state, as on all
the orchards described the water is doing double duty by aiding in
the growing of crops as well as trees. Our water rights cost us from
$5 to $10 per acre. The annual charges vary from 25 cents to $1

228 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

annually. The cost of application amounts to about $1 per acre in
labor per year applied to distributing water. A very economical
method is now coming into use where trees are irrigated from wells
by windmills that enables the farmer to utilize nearly every drop of
water, and it is making fruit-growing by the means of windmill
pumping plants practical. About four feet on each side of the tree
there is set upright in the ground four joints of common drainage tile
of about five or six inches in diameter and sixteen inches in length.
By filling these joints with water during the growing season once or
twice a day a large number of trees can be irrigated. By this method,
as no water is lost by evaporation, it all goes down to the roots of the
trees ; the roots work down where the earth is cool and moist. By
this system from ten to twenty acres could be successfully irrigated by
the means of a sixteen-foot windmill pumping water from the depth
of one hundred feet or more.

The results that have been obtained from irrigation by the different
systems have practically proven that fruit-growing can be profitably and
successfully carried on in any portion of Nebraska and crops obtained
annually if the trees are properly supplied with sufficient moisture.

There have been several recommendations made when I stated the
object of the inquiries. Three different farmers recommended that I
advise grape growing; that grapes could be as successfully and easily
grown, where the farmer would learn how, as potatoes. Plums and
cherries were also recommended, and every variety of small fruits.

It is safe to assert that in the new era that is coming to Nebraska
fruit-growing will become one of the most important of the leading
industries of our state, and that Nebraska will successfully compete
with California and Utah in the exportation of this class of farm
production.

DISCUSSION.

QuESTION—At what distance from the trees are those tiles placed
that you speak of.

Mr. Forr—They advise placing them four feet or so on each side
of the tree, from three to four feet. The advantage of that method
is that none of the water is lost; it all goes down. ‘The soil in the
western part of our state during the growing season gets very hot and
very dry, and a small quantity of water put upon the surface of the

IRRIGATION FOR ORCHARD AND GARDEN. 229

ground will evaporate very quickly and the roots of the tree derive
no benefit from it.

QUESTION—Have you had any success with fertilizers, or don’t
you use any ? “

Mr. Fort—No, sir; the arid lands are the richest lands of Amer-
ica and there is no necessity for using fertilizers. They have never
had the rains to leach out the mineral qualities in the soil.

Mr. JenkKins—Do I understand you that on Mr. Park’s land it is
only ten feet to water?

Mr. Fort—That is all.

QuESTION—Do the roots run down easily to water?

Mr. Fort—lI hardly think they would run down to water. Un-
derlying all the land, after you get down two or three feet, is a stratum
of clay mixed with alkali, and when the roots strike that they can’t
go through; but if you get it thoroughly saturated with water it be-
comes soft and the roots will work down.

QuEsTION— What methods are being used for conveying the water

by means of tiling?

Mr. Fort—Oh, some use gas pipe, some buy this cheap locomotive
boiler tubing, similar to what is used for making fences around the
yards here in the city, and some use hose. I came across one man
who had a hose made out of duck cloth sewed together and was irri-
gating his orchard and garden with that; it made a very cheap hose.

QuEsTION—I asked that because I know that people when they
first start in are so apt to think that it requires a very carefully con-
structed ditch, and that they must have all sorts of apparatus for run-
ning the water to where it is needed.

Mr. Fort—Water runs down hill; we all know that. There is
nothing difficult about this question of irrigation ; it is the easiest
thing imaginable. Just simply get your water up on the highest piece
of land and let it run down hill. If you havea little valley between,
throw up the earth and carry it over, or if there is higher ground,
put in a siphon.

Querstion— Would it not be a good deal of work to run the water
from one pipe to another where you haye two pipes, one on either side
of the tree?

Mr. Forr—lI would arrange to run the water from one pipe to the
other without too much labor. That plan is only recommended for

230 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

irrigation on a small scale where you only have to run the water one
or two hundred feet, or where you are short on water and need to util-
ize every drop of it. It isn’t practicable for a large orchard, and I
do not recommend it in any case where the water is under two hun-
dred feet. A very small amount of water will go a long ways if you
handle it right.

(uEsTION—Is any one using subirrigation in your country?

Mr. Forr—They are using subirrigation all up along the valley
of the Lodge Pole. They throw dikes across the Lodge Pole creek,
along which the soil is gravelly, and the water pushes out on either
side. There isa Mr. George, who lives south of Brady Island, and
has a piece of land where the water is only four feet below the sur-
face. He had a splendid crop every year, and in 1894 he had about
sixty bushels of corn to the acre. This was by subirrigation; he
didn’t have to irrigate by ditches or canals.

Dr. BessEY—Mr. Fort, the inquiry has been made here at Lincoln
and in this county whether it is possible to take water out of these
streams successfully for irrigating purposes. We have a rather roll-
ing country and our streams are rather low.

Mr. Fort—lIn this section of the state canals would never be
practicable, taking into consideration the large amount of annual rain-
fall and the fact that the water would have to be taken from the
streams by machinery; and some of these old-fashioned machines that
have been in use for three or four thousand years are just as good as
the new-fashioned ones that have been patented, and they cost a good
deal less. For instance, up at that Sidney convention, also at the
Omaha convention, there was a man with one of those old Archimedes
screws. He had gotten up what he called an invention for drilling
wells with a screw for lifting the water, and he could lift more water
with one of these screws for the amount of power applied than any-
thing I have seen yet. And in the matter of pumps, the old-fashioned
ship bilge pump is a good one. Mr. Coddington, of Kearney, has
made a pump of that kind, though he hasn’t any patent on it. The
centrifugal pump will lift more water, where you have the power,
than anything I know of. In Indiana last summer I saw one of those
six-inch pumps lift water enough in four hours to irrigate two acres of
land.

THE PRESIDENT—In this portion of the state we frequently have

IRRIGATION FOR ORCHARD AND GARDEN. Zan

frosts late in the spring. Now, I noticed this last summer, that a
number of persons on the Blue river had an abundance of everything ;
their orchards bore well and their garden vegetables were not injured
by the frosts in May. Have you noticed anything in your country
that would indicate that a considerable amount of water would have
a tendency to prevent injury by frost?

Mr. Fort—I have never noticed anything of that kind there; I
have been told that in New York along Long Island Sound they
claim the moisture coming off the ocean tends to prevent any damage
that might result from frost. We do not have enough moisture out
where I live to judge of that question,

THE PREsIDENT—There is one point [ would like to ask Mr. Fort
about, that is the extent of irrigation in the state. How many miles
of ditch are already constructed, and how many acres of land can be
irrigated when those under construction are completed?

Mr. Fort—The canals now constructed and under construction
will irrigate a million acres; canals proposed, another million acres;
the total irrigable area of the state—that which can be irrigated by
canals, I mean—will not exceed three million acres. There are 49,-
500,000 acres in the state, so we have only forty-six and a half mill-
ions of acres yet to irrigate. And there is one thing I want to
speak of that the people of Nebraska ought to take up, and that is
windmill irrigation. We have 46,000,000 acres yet to irrigate, and
there are probably not over 2,000,000 acres that will be irrigated by
canals within the next twenty years, while there might be two or three
or four or five million acres irrigated by pumping plants within the
same length of time.

Tue PrestpENt—Can you give briefly some figures, say for five
acres. What would it cost to put in a plant that would irrigate that
amount of land profitably ?

Mr. Fortr—That varies so much that it would be hard to tell. I
visited about fifty pumping plants on the Platte river. One man was
pumping from a well sixty feet deep three miles west of Paxton, and
he told me that his entire plant did not cost him over $100; that did
not include his labor; they don’t count labor anything at the present
time. Where the depth is not over 100 feet, in a good many cases
pumping plants can be worked cheaper than you can buy water from
these canal companies. Mr. Wilcox spoke about winter irrigation. I

232 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

saw an irrigated orchard of seventy acres where they pumped the
water from a depth of 100 feet and it only cost from $100 to $150 to
put it on the soil. Of course they have to exercise economy with
water, construct reservoirs, ete. I used to be in the windmill business
about twenty years ago, and I didn’t have any faith in windmills ir-
rigating any amount of land until I visited those fifty pumping plants
and saw what they are doing.

QurEsTION—Is the power entirely by wind ?

Mr. Forr—All by wind. Of course, in lifting water from wells
they have to build reservoirs, and some are raising fish, and they cut
ice off them in the winter time and use them for a number of different
purposes. At one place they hada bath house and a little boat. That
is just across the line of our state near Julesburg, Colorado.

W. F. JENKiIns—My well is fifteen feet deep and I have a two-
inch cylinder in it. The pipe is four feet in the gravel. I don’t know
how deep the gravel is below that. I would like to know how large
a pipe I could sink there that would fill with water. I havea sixteen-
foot mill.

Mr. Fort—You would find there is a vast difference between a two
or three inch cylinder and a six-inch cylinder. While you might
have no difficulty in obtaining a sufficient amount of water for a two-
inch cylinder, when you come to put in a six-inch cylinder it might
make a great difference with that well. I don’t advocate this theory
of hydraulic wells for windmill purposes; I would rather dig right
down and get a supply that you know will be sufficient. If you don’t,
something will be breaking all the time and giving you trouble. I
wouldn’t advocate these six or eight inch bored wells, such as they
have over the state, for these large pumps at all. A sixteen-foot mill,
one that runs slow, will work a five or six inch cylinder in a 200-foot
well with a six to ten inch stroke, depending on the water supply—
the freedom with which the water enters.

A. J. Brown—How large a bore is necessary for a six-inch cylin-
der?

Mr. Fortr—That is a question that I cannot answer.

Mr. Brown—We have at our place two of those wells; they are
ten-inch bore and haveastroke of nearly two feet. They are pumped
by steam and the supply is inexhaustible.

Mr. Fort—In a great many localities that might be true, but I

IRRIGATION FOR ORCHARD AND GARDEN. 233

don’t like to advocate anything of that kind unless you know you
have a large supply of water.

A MemBer—Do you advocate drive wells?

Mr. Forr—No, sir; I do not. The water does not enter freely.

QuEstion—Do you find generally that the windmill is a reliable
source of power so as to be depended upon?

Mr. Fort—Yes, sir; I think west of the 100th meridian—west
of Cozad—taking a mean average of the 365 days of the year it will
average sixteen hours a day that the mill will work.

QuEsTION— Would it be advisable to use these gasoline engines?

Mr. Fort—I don’t advocate anything of that kind that requires
fuel and care.

A MemBer—lI noticed at Omaha last fall a windmill that is a mar-
vel of simplicity and cheapness, manufactured at Silver City. Have
you had any practical experience with that particular mill?

Mr. Forr—I have never seen that mill. The mills are all too
high priced.

A MemBer—This mill sold for about $25.

‘Mr. Fort—The old style Dutch mill with cross-sails that has been
in use for centuries, with some few improvements, makes about as
serviceable a mill for the amount of money invested in it as any I
know of. Our people should be encouraged in constructing some
cheap form of strong windmill suitable for irrigation plants.

A MremMBER—Why don’t you call the law-makers’ attention to that
fact?

Mr. Fort—I tried to and didn’t have backing enough. I would
like to have the people take that up.

A MrmBEer—lIt seems to me the Society would back that up.

Mr. Fort—The Horticultural Society of our state is the one that
should push that thing. We have laws for the encouragement of canal
irrigation, and windmill irrigation is fully as cheap if not cheaper.
With canal irrigation you have lots of inconveniences, while with wind-
mill irrigation those inconveniences are all your own. Youfhave your
plant and can take care of it yourself and have nobody to blame if it
goes wrong. Another thing, we don’t require the amount*of water —
that they do in Colorado or New Mexico. From statements made by
some of the windmill irrigators west of our town, I believe that six
inches of water in connection with the rainfall would have been suffi-
cient to insure splendid crops.

234 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

QuEsTION—If you had an orchard in bearing, of course it would
be forming fruit buds for the next year while the present crop is on
the trees. Now, would it do to irrigate that orchard after the apples
reach the size they would be at the time the fruit buds are forming for
the next year?

Mr. Wiicox—By irrigating an orchard after the apples are half-
grown you can increase the actual size of the fruit fully one-fourth,
and that is the very period at which the fruit buds are forming for
the next year. That rule will apply to all kinds of fruit. Strawber-
ries during the fruiting period should be irrigated at least every other
day. We irrigate one day and pick the next. Another thing, you
not only increase the size of the fruit, but you increase the yield of the
tree. We never have an “off” year; our trees bear year in and year
out. The trouble is we ruin our trees by growing too many apples
on them.

QueEsTion— Would you irrigate after the fruit was picked and the
leaves had dropped so as to put the trees into good condition for winter?

Mr. WiLtcox—Yes, sir; we irrigate in November.

QuestTion—In this country would it be likely to bring the trees
forward too early in the spring to have the ground saturated in No-
vember?

Mr. Witcox—No, sir.

QuEsSTION—It would do no harm to irrigate now, would it ?

Mr. Wiicox—lIt would be all right to go out to-day and irrigate.

Mr. HartLey—About what is your average annual evaporation?

Mr. Wiitcox—We lose one-third of our water from evaporation.

Mr. Fortr—In northern Indiana this year if I saw one barrel of
apples lying under the trees I saw 10,000. The apples were nearly
ripened, but it kept getting drier and drier until the trees were com-
pelled to drop their fruit. Do you have any trouble of that kind in
your country, Mr. Wilcox?

Mr. Witcox—The apples never fall for us; no, sir. In regard to
retarding the blossoms by means of moisture, I want to say that there
is nothing in that theory whatever. We have made thorough demon-
strations in western Colorado, where we piled up ice two feet deep for
six or eight feet all around a tree and then mulched it to keep it
frozen, and I tell you there wasn’t fifteen minutes difference in the
blossoming of those trees. [ Laughter. |

IRRIGATION FOR ORCHARD AND GARDEN. 235

Question—If the ground under them was frozen wouldn’t it make
a difference?

Mr. Witcox—The ground was frozen, but we packed this ice
around them as a precautionary measure. There is nothing in it
whatever.

Pror. F. W. Carp—At Cornell it was demonstrated very thor-
oughly that the blossoming depends on the temperature of the air and
not on the temperature of the soil. A branch of a tree that grew
near a window was brought inside by means of raising the sash, and
that branch went on and budded and blossomed inside while every-
thing outside was frozen up.

Dr. BessEY—Mr. Chairman, justa word. This question has been
settled, but I want to get in my botanical word, because science always
settles these things after people have talked aboutthem. The experi-
ment that Professor Card refers to demonstrates exactly what Mr.
Wilcox has said. The fact is that the plant has in it the means of
doing itsown work. This error comes from another error that I have
been trying to root out of the horticultural societies of Iowa and Ne-
braska for a good many years. I have gotten it pretty well rooted
out, but I find the question occasionally coming up. ‘That error is
the old theory that a tree in the fall runs its sap down into the ground,
and then in the spring it comes up out of the ground. That is abso-
luteerror. Investigations have proved that there is more sap in a tree
-in the winter time than there is in the summer. In order to empha-
size the absurdity of this theory of the sap going down into the ground
in the fall and coming up out of the ground in the spring, I want to
tell you a story. An engineer engaged in some work in one of the
southern states was working upacanyon. He had observed every
once in a while there was a heavy freshet which he supposed to be
from a sudden rain up stream. One day, as he was working up stream,
suddenly the creek began to rise rapidly, and as he passed along he
met a native and said to him: “It must have been raining up the
canyon.”

The native looked at him and said: ‘ Naw.”

“What does it mean?”

“ It’s a sap-rise.”

That didn’t explain it to this engineer, and he said: “ What’s a
* gap-rise’ ?”’

16

236 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The man looked at him with a sort of pity and said: “In the fall
the sap goes down into the roots, and when it gets there it comes out
of the roots into the ground and runs out into the creeks and makes.
this rise.’ [Laughter.] But that we don’t believe up north.

People used to think that it was absolutely necessary that the roots
should be active in the spring before the tops could be, but that is not
true, as you can easily demonstrate for yourself. Just cut off a few
twigs that have fruit buds on them, bring them into the house and put
them where they will have sufficient moisture to start them, and they
will throw themselves into blossoming, although they haven’t a sign
of root at all. A few years ago when I wanted to have some draw-
ings made of the flowers of the common little sand cherry I simply
got some cuttings and set them in the greenhouse; they didn’t strike
root at all, but simply absorbed moisture enough and came out into
full bloom. ‘Then there’s that old experiment made long ago at Cor-
nell University of taking a grape-vine in the dead of winter and
bringing part of it inside. The roots and all on the outside were
frozen solid, but inside the buds opened and the flowers came out. So
I think, Mr. Wilcox, your position is demonstrated, and there is no
need of laughing at you.

QuESTION—I would like to ask Professor Bessey one question. Is.
there any probability that a tree would come into bloom if it were
mulched and frozen around the roots?

Dr. BessEvY—Yes, sir; certainly.

Mr. YouncEers—If you lay that tree down and cover the tops over
and keep them frozen, it won’t blossom. [ Laughter. ]

QuersTion—If there is more sap in a tree in the winter time than
in the summer, what is the reason the bark will slip in the summer
and will not in the winter?

Dr. Bessey—There is no connection between those two facts at
all. The reason why the bark slips at certain times in the year is
this: There is a little belt of new cells—it has nothing to do with the
sap at all—simply a little belt of new cells forming around the outside
of the wood. When these are young and soft they will be easily broken ;
when they grow older they become hard and you can’t break them.

(YuESTION—W hat is the object in being more water in a tree in the
winter than in the summer?

Dr. Bessey—There is no “object” in it at all. A plant is just

THE BOTANY OF THE STRAWBERRY. 237

like a water tank in one respect. Suppose you had a water tank that
held a million barrels of water; suppose that tank is leaking all the
time; now suppose the leaks all freeze up and your pump keeps going
for a while. During that time your tank will be full, but you can’t
have it full in the summer when it is leaking all the time. A tree
has these little pumps—little roots—down in the ground at work
bringing in moisture. In the summer time there are thousands of
leaves all over the surface; they are porous, the water passes off, and
the tree is never full in the summer time any more than a leaky water
tank can be made full. In the fall the leaves drop, the buds are sealed
over, and it has no chance for leaking, but these little roots are pump-
ing away until everything is frozen up, and in that way they fill the
tree. A tree is simply filled up because of the fact that the roots are
pumping away. There is no object in it, but simply that’s the nature
of the thing and it can’t help it; that’s just the word, it can’t help it.

NOTES ON THE BOTANY OF THE STRAWBERRY.
CHARLES E. BESSEY.

There are less than a dozen species of strawberries (Fragaria) in
the world, more than half of which (seven) are natives of North
America. They resemble one another very closely, and are quite diffi-
cult to separate, especially when they have been modified by long cul-
tivation ; in fact, it is probable that the eleven species enumerated be--
low could be easily reduced to five or at most six.

The genus Fragaria may be described as follows:

Fracarta L., Sp. Pl., 494 (1753).—Tuer SrraAwBerry.—F lowers:
hermaphrodite or polygamo-dicecious ; receptacle enlarged, conical or
spheroidal, bearing the numerous small one-ovuled pistils, which eventu-
ally become seed-like, dry, indehiscent fruits (“seed”); sepals five, green ;
petals five, white or rarely pinkish; stamens many, in some varieties im-
perfect on some of the flowers, such flowers being known as pistillate.
The plants are perennial, bearing trifoliate leaves (rarely simple, lobed
leaves); their lateral branches form runners which strike root and give
rise tonew plants. They are natives of temperate and Alpine regions
throughout the northern hemisphere, and occur in the mountains of

238 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

South America. They do not occur otherwise in the southern hemi-
sphere, except under cultivation.

The species taken up in this paper may be summarily characterized
as follows:

ORIGINAL HOME.
g| §
© 3|_ 6
S| g Salada
5s |\‘a |eajes
Hija |Z |n
A. ‘* Berry ’’ smooth; ‘‘seeds’’ superficial. |
Legs Uksy shalryeplants.c.e-sccsdsewssoccneeecsioenees Hy WeSCOe sees <i ore ae
2. Silky hairy plant; leaves thin............. F. collina ...... aH
3. Softly villose plant; leaves thin............ FE. americana...) ...... Fetes: ‘
4, Somewhat villose plant; leaves thin...../. californica..|...... [econ ist
5. Leaves smooth above, silky below......... F. canadensis...|...... fesose: G
Ge SMOOUN Dlalitic.cccsesccecessteonessccciersseness F. daltoniana..\...... PMs)
ee Viery villOke: Plant. .c---e-s-seaee-seeWeneecnens F. nilgerrensis)...... at |
B. ‘‘Berry’’ pitted; ‘‘seeds”’ in little hollows.
8. Densely villose plant..........:00.++ Ete .. F. chiloensis...|...... etvat > DOM
9. Villose plant; leaves coriaceous, F. virginiana-illinoiensis) ......) s+. Secedl
10. Silky plant; leaves coriaceous... FL Virginiand.. |...) seeeee if
11. Smooth plant; leaves subcoriaceous....../. moschata....| *

1. Fragaria vesca L., Sp. Pl., 494 (1753)—ALPINE STRAW-
BERRY.—Leaflets usually stalkless, one to two inches long, obliquely
ovate or oblong, coarsely toothed or serrate on the margin, plaited, the
lateral sometimes cleft; flower-stalks, with silky-appressed hairs;
flowers hermaphrodite, one-half to three-fourths of an inch in diame-
ter, on a slender scape, which bears a small involucre; fruit borne
above the leaves, the receptacle (“berry”) small, sweet, smooth, not
pitted, bearing the “seeds” superficially—Native of Europe, Asia,
and probably of North America also.

This sweet strawberry is still somewhat grown in Europe, but its
“berries” are much too small for practical use.

2. Fragaria collina Ehrh., Beitr., VII, 26 (1792).—Leatlets pli-
eate, thin, silky above, hairy below; flowers hermaphrodite ; fruit
(“berry”) erect, bearing superficial “seeds.”—Native of northern,
central, and southern Europe.

3. Fragaria americana (Porter) Britton, Bull. Torr. Club, 19, 122
(1892).—Plant softly villose; leaves thin, becoming smooth with age,
sharply serrate-dentate; flower-stalk slender, with a small involucre;

THE BOTANY OF THE STRAWBERRY. 239

flowers small; fruit (“berry”) ovoid, of a light pink color, smooth
and shining, not pitted; “seeds” prominent, and barely attached.—
North America, from the Appalachian mountains to Michigan, Vir-
ginia, and probably farther west and south.

4. Fragaria californica Cham. & Schlecht., in Linnea, II, 20
(1827).—Low, somewhat villose, with spreading hairs; leaves thin,
the leaflets cuneate-obovate, and rounded, sparingly villose on the
upper side, somewhat appressed-hairy below; flower peduncles usu-
ally slender; flowers small, half an inch broad, calyx-lobes often
toothed or cleft; fruit (“berry”) small, with superficial “ seeds.”—
Native of the western region, from New Mexico to Mt. Diablo and
Oakland, California.

5. Fragaria canadensis Michx., F |. Bor. Am., I, 299 (1803).—Plant
slender; leaflets oblong (or middle one obovate) and cuneate at base,
all obtuse, rather sparingly and not deeply toothed, averaging an inch
and a quarter long by a little more than half an inch wide, quite
smooth on the upper surface when young, pale and more or less pu-
bescent beneath; flowers few, about half an inch or a little more in
diameter, on slender pedicels; hairs on the flower-stalk appressed.—
A native of Canada and Arctic America, occurring also in the Black

~ Hills of South Dakota. -

6. Fragaria daltoniana J. Gay, in Ann. Sci. Nat., ser. [V., vol. 8,
204 (1857).—A low plant with small leaves; leaflets elliptical, den-
tate, almost smooth; fruit three-fourths of au inch long, erect, conical,
minutely hairy between the small, superficial ‘‘seeds.””—Native of
Sikkim, Asia.

7. Fragaria nilgerrensis Schlecht. ex J. Gay,in Ann. Sci. Nat., ser.
IV, vol. 8, 206 (1857).—A_ robust, large-leaved, very villose plant ;
leaflets elliptical, sessile; “berry” hairy, with superficial ‘“seeds.”—
Native of the East Indies.

8. Fragaria chiloensis Duchesne, Hist. Nat. Frais., 165 (1766).—
CHILIAN SrraAwBerRRy.—Plant usually low, and densely villose, with
silky hairs, which are spreading upon the petioles and flower-stalks,
and appressed on the under side of the leaves; flower-stalks and peti-
oles rather stout; leaflets thick, p2rfectly smooth above, cuneate-
obovate, rounded at the apex; flowers large (often one inch broad);
fruit (“berry”) with small pits on the surface in which the “ seeds”
are sunken.—Native of Western, North, and South America.

240 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This species, known as the Chilian strawberry, or Pine strawberry,
was introduced in Europe in 1712, and from this a little more than a
hundred years later sprang the earlier of our American varieties after
having been imported again to this country. These earlier varieties
were the Hovey, Boston Pine, and Wilson. The appearance of other
varieties of this species has brought about the practical extinction of
these early varieties.

9. Fragaria virginiana-illinoiensis Prince, Gray’s Man., Ed. 5, 155
(1867).—PRAIRIE STRAWBERRY.—A large plant with spreading hairs
on the petioles and flower-stalks; leaflets firm and coriaceous; flowers
often with imperfect stamens (pistillate); sepals, after blossoming, erect;
fruit (“berry”) with small pits, containing the sunken “seeds;” fruit-
clusters below the large leaves.—Native of North America, from western
New York to Minnesota and westward.

10. Fragaria virginiana Duchesne, Hist. Nat. Frais., 204 (1766).—
LarGe Eastern STRAWBERRY.—A smaller plant than the preceding,
with the hairs on the petioles and flower-stalks silky-appressed ; leaf-
lets firm and coriaceous; sepals, after blossoming, erect; fruit (“berry”)
with a narrow neck at base, the surface deeply pitted.—Common in
the eastern United States.

11. Fragaria moschata Duchesne, Hist. Nat. Frais., 145 (1766).—
Havutsois STRAWBERRY.—Leaflets plicate, subcoriaceous, smooth,
green; flowers often with imperfect stamens (pistillate); sepals, after
blossoming, reflexed ; fruit (“berry”) firm, adhering slightly to the
calyx, its surface bearing few ‘‘seeds, which are sunken in pits.—Na-
tive of central and southern Europe.

This species is still somewhat cultivated in Europe and this country,
but only to a limited extent. In the books this is generally known
under the name of Fragaria elatior, but Duchesne’s name has priority
and must be used.

It will be noticed that I have not made mention of Fragaria grandi-
flora, to which reference is so generally made in horticultural works,
but upon more careful study of all the species, it appears that there is
no such thing as grandiflora. Certain forms, probably resulting from
the crossing of species, have given rise to the notion that there must be
such a species, but it has no foundation in Nature.

THE BOTANY OF THE BUSH FRUITS. 241

THE BOTANY OF THE BUSH FRUITS.
FRED W. CARD.

The term “bush fruits” is a comprehensive name, including small,
shrubby, fruit-bearing plants in general. The most important of these
are the raspberry and blackberry family, the currant and gooseberry
family, the juneberry, the buffalo berry, the tree cranberry, and the
goumi.

Several botanical forms of the juneberry are in cultivation. The
one which is perhaps the most promising of all for the west is that
known as Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. This is primarily a western
species, being found in the Rocky mountains and westward, but it also
extends eastward into Nebraska, Minnesota, and even northern Michi-
gan. Itisashrub ranging from three to eight feet in height, and
differs from the eastern juneberries chiefly in its broadly elliptical or
roundish-obtuse leaves, which are coarsely toothed toward the summit.

The other prominent type in cultivation is that known as A. cana-
densis, var. oblongifolia Torr. & Gray. This is a dwarf form of the
juneberry or shad-bush of the eastern states, differing from the latter
chiefly in its blunt and woolly leaves and woolly racemes which ap-
pear with the leaves, while in the species itself the flowers come in ad-
vance of the leaves. The variety known as Success belongs to this
type. The genus Amelanchier is a difficult one froma botanical point
of view and there seems to be some confusion in regard to the differ-
ent forms.

The tree-cranberry, so called, is a species of Viburnwm, not a cran-
berry in any sense of the word. The particular species is Viburnum
opulus Linn. In cultivation this has been made to vary in the direc-
tion of having its flowers changed into enlarged corollas and is planted
for ornament under the names Guelder-rose and Snowball Tree. Such
flowers are sterile and produce no fruit. The fruit of the wild form
resembles that of the cranberry in shape and color, but is quite differ-
ent in flavor. Its chief drawback is to be found in the large seeds.

242 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

It is well worthy of attention as an ornamental plant, the berries re-
maining until late in autumn or winter. When grown for this pur-—
pose it will well repay the attempt, but no one should purchase it ex-
pecting it to bea substitute for the true cranberry as a fruit plant.

The buffalo berry belongs to the Oleaster family, its scientific name
being Shepherdia argentea Nutt. It is widely distributed over the
plains and mountains in the western and northwestern parts of the
country. Its dicecious character, having staminate flowers on one
plant and pistillate flowers on another, make it necessary to see that
plants of both sorts are growing together in order toinsure fruit. Its
fruit possesses a sprightly and very agreeable flavor, but is small and
borne among numerous thorns, so that it is not very promising from
an economic standpoint. This plant has also ornamental characters
which give it some recommendation.

The goumi is more commonly known under its scientific name,
Eleagnus longipes Gray. It is a near relative of the buffalo berry
and still more closely related to the “ Russian olive” which has proved
such a hardy and reliable ornamental tree in the west. The fruit of
this is borne on long slender stems hanging thickly along the under
side of the branches. It ripens in July in middle latitudes and is
about one-half by three-fourths of an inch in diameter, containing one
large shapely seed. It is relished by some but is generally thought
to be too acid for desert use, being used in much the same way that
cranberries are. Altogether it seems to be a plant worthy of trial, but
attempts to get it established at the Experiment Station farm have thus

far failed.

THE RASPBERRY AND BLACKBERRY FAMILY.

The genus Rubus, to which the raspberries, blackberries, and dew-
berries belong, is a very large genus, widely scattered over the earth.
Like most of our fruits this genus belongs to the Rose family. It is
more liberally represented in the old than in the new world, yet even
in our own country there are far too many species to be included within
the limits of the present paper. The following list, therefore, will in-
clude, in the main, only such species and botanical varieties as are
known to be in cultivation in the United States.

THE BOTANY OF THE BUSH FRUITS. 243

RUBUS.
$1. Fruit parting from the receptacle when ripe. (Raspberries.)
* Leaves simple; flowers large; no prickles.

Rubus odoratus L.—PuRPLE FLOWERING RaspBerRy; THIM-
BLEBERRY.—This is an upright, shrubby, branching bush, growing
from three to five feet in height, with large three to five lobed leaves,
cordate at base. The buds and flower stems are densely covered with
clammy glandular hairs, which extend down to the upper parts of the
stem. The flowers are large and showy, of a purplish-rose color.
The fruit is broad and flat, red, with a pleasant flavor. The species
is found throughout the eastern part of the country from Nova Scotia
to Florida and westward as far as Michigan.

This is much prized as an ornamental plant in England, and is
cultivated in a limited way in this country. If we had to import it
from across the water it would doubtless be in many more gardens
than it is. It blooms and fruits throughout a long portion of the
season, which is a strong point in its favor. It is said not to fruit
well in cultivation, but this might not prove true with more extended
trials, especially if plants were grown from seed. It is to be doubted
whether it can be made to thrive well in the hot and dry climate of
the interior.

Rubus parviflorus Nutt—Satmon Brerry.—This is more com-
monly referred to under the name R. nutkanus, but that is a later
name and must give way to the one first given. The common name
salmon berry is also applied to a different species along the Pacific
coast. Practically speaking this may be considered as a white flowered
ftubus odoratus, since it bears white instead of purple flowers, though
differing in some of its botanical characters. It is found from Mon-
terey to Alaska, and eastward to New Mexico and Lake Superior.

This, too, has received some attention in England and is a very at-
tractive shrub and well worthy a place where it can be grown. Al-
though found in severe climates it is reported as not hardy at the
Arnold Arboretum, but the plants there growing were from seeds col-
lected in a mild climate.

Rubus deliciosus James.—This is an upright, branching, woody
shrub, three or four feet high. The canes are thornless, often with
the bark loosened and shredded. The leaves are roundish kidney-

244 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

shaped, but somewhat three to five lobed, slightly rough, and measur-
ing from one to two inches across. The flowers are white, one to two
inches across, and are mostly borne alone. The fruit somewhat re-
sembles a red raspberry, but has a dull reddish or dirty wine color.
It is found in the Rocky mountains, about the sources of the Missouri
and canyons of the Colorado.

Although the fruit of this beautiful species was originally described
as delicious, it is not likely to be called so by any except a hungry col-
lector, climbing over the boulders of the Rockies. To most palates
it is decidedly insipid, and lacking in flavor, though in no sense disa-
greeable. The seeds are rather large, without a proportionate amount
of pulp. The plant deserves a high place for its ornamental qualities,
however, and the scent of the foliage and flowers may well receive the
designation delicious if the fruit does not merit it. Its desirable quali-
ties have been long known in England, where it seems to be better ap-
preciated than here, since it has been frequently figured and described
in English horticultural journals. It is said to be perfectly hardy at
the Arnold Arboretum, though seldom bearing fruit. It is somewhat
difficult to propagate, since it does not throw up suckers. This has
doubtless had much to do with its being so little known. It can be
propagated from seeds, root cuttings, or stem cuttings, though the cut-
tings are said not to root very readily.

** Leaves simple; flowers small; canes more or Jess prickly.

Rubus crategifolius Bunge.—CHINESE RASPBERRY.—This is a
shrubby plant, three to six feet in height, and not unlike the preced-
ing species in habit of growth. Its canes are armed witha few straight
prickles. The leaves are three to five lobed, the lobes sharp pointed
and jagged, the middle one long and often narrowed at the base. The
veins beneath, and leaf-stalks bear scattering, minute recurved prickles.
The leafy shoots are terminated by clusters of small white flowers,
nearly half an inch across, but quite inconspicuous. The fruit is bright
red or orange-scarlet in color, and is made up of few grains, acid, but
not unpleasant in flavor. This species isa native of Manchuria, north-
ern China, and Japan.

Like the preceding species, it cannot be recommended for its fruit,
though it might have some value used as a parent in hybridizing. Its
chief merit is as an ornamental, to which purpose its many good char-
acters render it well adapted. It is especially promising for the west-

THE BOTANY OF THE BUSH FRUITS. 245

~

ern plains, where satisfactory ornamentals are at a premium. Further
trials may develop some weaknesses not yet shown, but it seems to
thrive well in the hot dry summers for which this region is noted.
Its habit of growth is pleasing, forming free and graceful clumps, its
foliage bright and attractive, and furthermore it presents quite desira-
ble autumn tints, a thing much lacking in this particular region.

*** Tieaves made up of three to five leaflets.

Rubus ideus Linn.—EuROPEAN RASPBERRY.—This is so similar to
our own common red raspberry that it is difficult to distinguish them
by strictly botanical characters, especially in the variable forms found
under cultivation. It differs quite distinctly from the American spe-
cies in its horticultural characters, however. It is less hardy, poorly
adapted to our climate, and continues in bearing during a longer period.
Wild forms appear to be less glandular and the calyx is more woolly
than in the American raspberry. In its native state it is widely dis-
tributed throughout Europe and western Asia.

This is the parent of all the older garden varieties imported from
Europe which ushered in the great raspberry industry of the United
States. Its history in this connection is an interesting one, being not
unlike that of many other European fruits. Over 100 varieties of
this species are known to have been introduced in this country, but
none of them have taken kindly to our climate and few of them are
now known. ‘The quality of their fruit is considered superior to that
of varieties belonging to the American species, and they are occasionally
grown in a small way by amateurs. It is to this class that the Fal-
staff, Fontenay, Red and White Antwerp, Brinckle’s Orange, and
others belong.

Rubus strigosus Michx.—WiLp RrEp RaspBerRRyY.—This is the
common red raspberry of the United States. Its stems are a little
more slender than those of Rubus ideus, usually brown or reddish-
brown in color and beset with stiff, straight prickles. The flower and
leaf-stalks and calyx are covered with glandular tipped hairs in the
wild type, though these largely disappear in the cultivated forms.
The leaves of the bearing canes have three leaflets, and those of the
young canes mostly five. The fruit ripens quite unevenly, but not
through as long a period as that of the European varieties. It is
found growing wild from North Carolina to New Mexico and far

246 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

northward. It is also said to occur in Siberia from Altai to Kam-
chatka, in Manchuria, and northern Japan.

Although apparently starting so much behind in the race for recogni-
tion, its inherent hardiness and susceptibility to improvement has en-
abled it to far outstrip its European relative in popularity. All of the
important commercial varieties of the present day, such as the Turner,
Marlboro, and Cuthbert, belong here. A white form is occasionally
found growing wild, and is represented in cultivation by the variety
known as Meredith Queen. The fruit of this is small, soft, amber-
white, with prominent grooved drupes.

Rubus neglectus Peck.—This is the name given to the forms inter-
mediate between the black and red raspberry, Although the above
specific name has been given to the typical form, it is quite probable
that all are hybrids between these two species. The habit of the dif-
ferent forms varies, but in the typical one it resembles the black rasp-
berry in habit of growth, with long canes rooting at the tips. The
leaves of the bearing canes have three leaflets, those of the young
canes from three to five. The fruiting cluster partakes of the inter-
mediate character between the black and red, being somewhat aggre-
gated at the tip, but extending downward more than in the blacks.
While the typical form is of this character, propagating by tips, there
‘are others like the red raspberry in habits of growth and propagating
by suckers, The form is probably quite generally distributed with the
two species which it connects.

This type was early brought into cultivation in the old variety
known as Purple Cane. At least twenty-five varieties with characters
intermediate between the reds and blacks have been introduced. They
form quite distinct variations among themselves, some approaching
very near to the red raspberry in character, while others are still closer
to the blacks than the ordinary type.

Rubus occidentalis Linn.—Buiack RaAspBeERRY; BLAckcap.—In
this species the canes are long and recurved, at length taking root at
the tips. The prickles are strong and recurved, and the leaves asa rule
have only three leaflets on both the bearing canes and the young
shoots. The flower cluster is aggregated in a close cluster at the tip
of the flowering branches. The fruit is hemispherical, firm, and
black, though yellow forms are found. The species is widely dis-
tributed, extending from the mountains of Georgia westward to Mis-

THE BOTANY OF THE BUSH FRUITS. 247

souri and the sources of the Oregon, and far northward into British
America.

The black raspberry was first brought under garden culture about
1850, being much younger in cultivation than the other raspberries,
but im spite of this fact it is to-day of much greater importance than
the others. This is largely due to the fact of its greater productive-
ness, its wider adaptation, and the fact that it can be grown as a farm
crop for evaporating purposes.

Rubus leucodermis Doug.—This species is very similar to the black
raspberry, differing from it chiefly in the color of the fruit, which is
yellowish-red. In forms which are supposed to be typical the leaflets
are more coarsely toothed and the prickles stouter and more strongly
hooked, though these latter characters do not always hold. Practi-
cally speaking it is a yellow-fruited black raspberry, though its distri-
bution is entirely different from that of the black raspberry. It is
found in the mountains of Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington,
and northern Utah. It seems never to have been introduced into .
cultivation.

Rubus phenicolasius Maxim.—JAPANESE WINEBERRY.—This re-
sembles the raspberries in habit, but its canes are densely covered with
reddish glandular tipped hairs. Occasional, long, straight prickles
intermingle with these, becoming recurved on the leaf-stalk and veins
of the leaves beneath. The leaf is made up of three broadly ovate
and sharp-pointed leaflets, which are whitened downy on the under
side. The hairy calyx clasps the fruit closely until the berry is nearly
ripe, when the calyx folds back exposing the fruit. The fruit is
usually small, red, sour, and somewhat crumbly. The plant is found
wild on the islands of Yezzo and Nippon in Japan. It was first de-
scribed by a Russian botanist in 1872. Since that date it has been
frequently mentioned both in English and American horticultural
journals. It is chiefly valuable as an ornamental plant, owing to its
striking appearance. It is not generally hardy in the northern states
-and is not likely to succeed in the trying climate of the plains.

Rubus spectabilis Pursh.Satmon Berry of the Pacific coast.—
This is a rather robust bush five to ten feet high, armed with straight
or ascendimg prickles. The leaves consist of three leaflets or are oc-
casionally simple, glossy beneath. The leaflets are sharp-pointed with
doubly cut edges, and often two to three lobed. The flowers are

248 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

borne singly or in pairs, are red or purple, large and showy. The
fruit is large, shaped somewhat like a blackberry, red or yellow, but
too sparingly produced to be of great value. The plant is found
along the Pacific coast from California northward to Alaska.

This is a desirable ornamental plant, both owing to the abundance
of its foliage and the beauty of its flowers. It was long ago intro-
duced in England, and is said to have become naturalized in Kent,
where it is known under the name of Woodman’s Rose. It propa-
gates from suckers. Although known as Salmon Berry on the Pacific -
coast, it is an entirely different plant from the R. parviflorus which
bears the name Salmon Berry in other parts of the cobnbey, especially
the Rocky mountain region.

§ 2. Fruit adhering to the receptacle. .
* Stems upright; naturally propagating by suckers.

Rubus villosus Ait. —CoMMoN oR HigH BLACKBERRY.—A shrubby
plant, one to six feet high, stems upright or reclining, armed with
stout curved prickles. The young branches, teed with the leaf
and flower stalks, are covered with glandular tipped hairs. The
leaves usually have three leaflets on the fruiting canes and five on the
young canes, The flower cluster is a long, leafless raceme, with the
individual flowers standing out at almost right angles from the central
stem. The fruit is normally oblong or thimble-shaped, though some-
times nearly globular. It is sweet, dull black in color, with small
drupelets, closely packed together. In cultivation, and even in the
wild state, it varies widely, however. ‘The species is very common
throughout the eastern portion of the United States, extending far
northward into British America.

Although young in cultivation, this has come to be one of our most
important garden fruits. The first variety to be introduced was the
Dorchester which was exhibited before the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society in 1841. This was followed by the Lawton, while from that
‘time on varieties have increased rapidly.

Var. albinus Bailey —Wuite BLAcKkBEerRRyY.—In this form the
canes are nearly round, yellowish-green, with the leaflets mostly three
even on the young canes, while the fruit is pinkish-cream or amber
colored. Although apparently never very abundant, this form is fre-
quently found growing wild. It has also been introduced into
cultivation at times, but has never proved really valuable. 4

THE BOTANY OF THE BUSH FRUITS. 249

Var. frondosus 'Torr.—In this form the plant is lower and more
bushy, the leaflets narrower, and the flower cluster shorter, having
simple leaves intermingled with the flowers, giving a leafy appearance.
This type is more or less commonly found wild and is represented in
cultivation by the Early Harvest. The Dorchester, which was the first
blackberry introduced, also seems to belong to this type.

The blackberries as a whole are wonderfully variable, and several
other forms have been described as botanical varieties, but they are
either of comparatively little importance or are not represented in
cultivation. Among the commoner cultivated varieties the Taylor
seems to resemble the original specific type most closely, at least in
character of fruit.

Rubus villosus canadensis.— Various intermediate forms between
the blackberry and the dewberry are frequently found where these
two species are growing together. The forms possess various inter-
mediate gradations, sometimes closely resembling the blackberry and
in other cases more closely approaching the dewberry.

This type is represented in cultivation by the Early Wilson, Wil-
son, Jr., and Thompson’s Early Mammoth. These propagate either
by suckers or by tips, though not very freely by either method.

Rubus millspaughi Britt.—THoRNLEss or Mounrain Buiack-
BERRY.—This species is characterized by its smooth, unarmed canes,
being wholly thornless except on the smaller branches and veins of
the leaflets. The leaflets are narrower, sharp-pointed, with the upper
ones borne on long, slender leaf-stalks. The flower cluster is gener-
ally shorter and more compact than in Rubus villosus and not glandu-
lar. The fruit is bright glossy black, short and roundish, with larger
drupes. It is sour until fully ripe, often possessing something of a
bitter taste. It ripens later than the common form and is not so well
liked.

This species is common in the Alleghany mountains, and probably
descends to lower elevations northward. It is as common as the or-
dinary blackberry in the regions where it is found. It seems never
to have been introduced into cultivation.

Rubus cuneifolius Pursh.—Sanpd BLAcKBERRY.—This is a sturdy
little shrub from one to three feet high, armed with vicious recurved
thorns. The leaflets are inverse wedge-shaped, whitened woolly be-

250 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

neath, three on the bearing canes and five on the young canes. The
clusters are few-flowered, opening from the center outward. The fruit
is roundish and of excellent quality. The species is found in sandy
woods from southern New York and Pennsylvania to Florida, and
west to Louisiana and Missouri.

This species is represented in cultivation by the Topsy, or Child’s
Tree blackberry. :

** Stems trailing; propagating naturally by tips.

Rubus canadensis Linn.—DEwBERRY ; Low BLACKBERRY.—This
plant has shrubby, long, trailing stems, sparsely and lightly prickly.
The leaflets are three as a rule, both on the bearing canes and young
canes. The clusters are few flowered, opening from within outward,
the lower flowers borne on long stems so that they are nearly even
with the center one. These flower-stalks may be slightly fuzzy but
are not glandular. This habit of the flower-cluster, opening from
within outward, is one of the chief distinguishing features between
this species and Rubus villosus, which blooms from below upward as
arule. The fruit resembles the blackberry, though ripening earlier.
It appears to be variable in quality, in some cases surpassing the
blackberry, in others being inferior. The species is found from
Newfoundland to Virginia, and westward to eastern Kansas and cen-
tral Minnesota.

This species, with its botanical varieties, forms the foundation type
to which most of our cultivated dewberries belong. It is one of the
most recent members of the family to make its acquaintance in our
gardens, and it is yet almost too soon to predict what its future will
be. It has received widely varying reports, in some cases giving good
satisfaction to the grower, in others proving a failure. We shall
doubtless reap better results with it when we come to know it better.
The species proper is represented in cultivation by the Windom, Lu-
cretia’s Sister, and Geer.

Var. roribaccus Bailey.—This is the botanical name given to the
Lucretia dewberry. It is a stronger plant, with wedge-ovate jagged
leaflets, long flower-stalks, and large flowers. The sepals are also
large and leaf-like, often an inch long. It is said to grow wild in
West Virginia.

Var. invisus Bailey.—In this form the stems are stout and stiff, often

4

THE BOTANY OF THE BUSH FRUITS. Q5k

partially ascending, with straight reflexed prickles. The leaflets are
larger than in the wild type, with large and simple teeth. The flower-
stems are long and straight, glandular in the wild type. The buds
before opening usually bear a noticeable tip, formed by the ends of
the sepals clasping around it. ‘The flowers are large and overtop the
leaves. The fruit is globular oblong and of good size. This is found
wild at Ithaca, N. Y., and probably elsewhere. It is represented in
cultivation by the Bartel, General Grant, and Never Fail varieties.

Rubus trivialis Michx.—SouTHERN DEWBERRY.—This species has
round, shrubby, trailing stems, beset with strongly recurved or reflexed
prickles and glandular tipped hairs and bristles. The leaves are ever-
green, leathery, and smooth, with numerous stout recurved or reflexed
prickles on the veins and petioles as well as on the flower-stems. The
fruit is oblong, black, and good. It is found wild in sandy soil from
Virginia to Florida, and west to Texas and Missouri. This, as will
be seen from its distribution, is the common dewberry of the south,
and is represented in cultivation by the Manatee and Wilson’s White.

Rubus vitifolius Cham. & Schlecht.—Paciric Coast DEwBeErry.
—This has round woody stems, usually weak and trailing, but some-
times upright. The fruiting branches are numerous, armed with slen-
der prickles, the smaller parts of the plant often being densely covered
with them. The fruit is oblong, black. The species is common in
the coast ranges of California and Oregon, the valley of the Willa-
mette, also in Idaho. It is an exceedingly variable species, as shown
by the fact that different forms of it were described on succeeding
pages by the same authors as different species. Some plants bear per-
fect flowers, some pistillate flowers, with abortive stamens, and others
staminate flowers with abortive pistils, Some are wholly trailing,
while others have strong, nearly upright stems. The staminate forms
are said to be the stouter as a rule, while the pistillate forms have nar-
rower, more sharply serrate, thinner and smoother leaves with smaller
flowers. The Skagit Chief and Belle of Washington dewberries be-
long to this species.

Rubus laciniatus Willd.—Cut-LEAVED BLACKBERRY.—This has
round trailing stems, armed with strong recurved prickles. The
leaves are much parted and divided, giving rise to the name “ Cut-
leaved or Parsley-leaved.” They are persistent and evergreen in mild
climates or when protected. Fruit resembling a common blackberry.

17

252 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This is generally supposed to be a form of the European black-
berry, though its origin is somewhat in doubt. It has long been
known in cultivation in the United States. Jt is reported to be very
productive in England and in certain parts of our own country, par-
ticularly on the northwest coast. As a general rule, however, it is a
complete failure so far as fruit production is concerned, and can be
recommended only for its ornamental qualities, which are due to the
peculiar character of its foliage. It has hailed from the west at times
as the Oregon Evergreen, Sandwich Island, and Nevada blackberry.

THE CURRANT AND GOOSEBERY FAMILY.

The genus Ribes, to which belong the currants and gooseberries, is a
large genus, and primarily an American one, being much more largely
represented on this continent than in the old world. Unlike the
genus Rubus, it is not a member of the Rose family, but belongs to
the Saxifrage family. The species are so numerous that it would be
wholly impracticable to attempt to discuss them all here. Only those
will be touched upon, therefore, which are known to be in cultivation,
and it is quite possible that some of those not touched upon are also.
cultivated to some extent.

RIBES.

§ 1. Stems with one to three thorns below the clusters of leaves, often
with numerous scattered prickles on the branches, sometimes
upon the berry also. Leaves plaited in the bud. (Gooseberries.)

Ribes speciosum Pursh.— Fucusta-FLOWERED GOOSEBERRY.—
This species is quite distinct from all other members of the genus, in
that the flowers are long, red, and showy. ‘The stamens are two or
three times as long as the flower itself, giving it some resemblance to.
a fuchsia. The thorns are long and slender, the leaves small and
shining, three-lobed, with coarse rounded serrations, and narrowed at
the base. The berry is prickly and few seeded. The species is found
on the Pacific coast from California northward into British Columbia.
It is planted in a limited way as an ornamental, and is said to be
prized in England for growing against walls. It certainly seems
worthy a place among ornamental plants.

Ribes oxyacanthoides Linn.—CoMMON GOOSEBERRY.—In this spe-
cies the flowers are small and yellowish-green in color, the calyx tube

THE BOTANY OF THE BUSH FRUITS. 253

is nearly cylindrical, with segments upright, scarcely spreading, longer
than the tube, thin and membranaceous or petal-like. The*petals are
broadly ovate or spatulate, reaching half way to the anthers. The
thorns are rather slender and very finely pointed, one-fourth to three-
eighths of an inch long. The bearing twigs carry more or less fine
bristles and the berry is smooth. It is distributed from Newfound-
land to the middle Atlantic states and far westward.

This is the species to which our common American varieties like
Downing and Houghton belong. It has proved itself so mnch bet-
ter adapted to our climate that the commercial gooseberry industry
of the present day is almost wholly dependent upon this species.
While it cannot rank with the European gooseberry in size of fruit, its:
quality is equally good, if not superior, and its power to resist disease:
and yield uniformly heavy crops of fruit has given it an easy lead.

Ribes grossularia Linn.—EuROPEAN GOOSEBERRY.—This species:
is so like the preceding in its botanical characters that it is difficult to
distinguish them, though there are minor differences. The calyx tube
is broad, bell-shaped, thickish and leaf-like, strongly pubescent with
broad ovate segments, at length reflexed. The petals are obovate, reach-
ing to the base of the anthers. The stamens do not project beyond the
calyx segments. The spines are mostly in threes, heavy and thick at
the base, the central one three-eighths to one half-inch long. The fruit-
ing twigs are free from bristles, and the fruit is commonly armed with
prickles or glandular hairs. This species is very generally distributed
over the eastern hemisphere. It is the parent of the gooseberries
which have reached such magnificent development in England, where:
they commonly attain the size of ordinary plums. Many varieties.
have been introduced into the United States but none of them have
proved adapted to our conditions. Except in some unusually favored
location they always suffer from mildew. The recent advances in the
art of spraying have enabled us to overcome this disease to a great ex-
tent, however, so that it is now possible to grow varieties of this species.
successfully in many locations if the requisite attention is given to
their care in this regard. As in the case of the red raspberry, though
the botanical differences between the American and the European spe-:
cies are but slight, the horticultural differences are very evident.
From specimens at hand the above characters seem to fairly discrimi-
nate the wild forms from a botanical standpoint, but many of fhese

254 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

characters may disappear in cultivation and cannot be taken with im-
plicit conffdence. The character of the thorns seems to be one of the
most constant points of difference.

The Industry is a hybrid between these two.

§ 2. Thornless and prickless; leaves plaited in the bud; racemes few
to many flowered ; stamens short.

* Calyx dilated immediately above the ovary.

Ribes nigrum Linn.—EvurRopEAN BuAck CuRRANT.—This is a
comparatively low growing, upright bush, bearing greenish-yellow
flowers, with a broad urn-shaped calyx. The leaves are sprinkled
with resinous dots on the underside. Fruit black. The whole plant
emits a strong, peculiar or disagreeable odor when cut or wounded,
and the fruit also partakes of the same odor. The plant is widely
distributed throughout the northern portions of the eastern hemi-
sphere, and commonly cultivated. It possesses very little importance
in this country, since its flavor and odor are too disagreeable to most
persons to render it popular, ‘This is said to largely disappear with
cooking and by many it is thought a superior fruit for jelly.

Ribes rubrum Linn.—GaRDEN CuRRANT.—This is a low bush
with straggling or reclining stems. The leaves are without resinous
dots beneath and the flowers are borne in long, drooping racemes.
They are smaller and the calyx much narrower than in the preceding
species. The fruit, which is commonly smaller than the preceding, is
red, white, or even striped. The species is widely distributed over
the northern portions of both hemispheres wild as well as in cultiva-
tion. Being a native of this as well as the eastern hemisphere, there
is no trouble in regard to its adaptation to our climate and conditions,
for it seems to thrive nearly or quite as well here asin Europe, though
the better culture often given there may secure larger fruit.

** Calyx prolonged above the ovary into a campanulate or cy-
lindrical tube.

Ribes sanguineum Pursh.—ReED-FLOWERED CuRRANT.—This
species reaches six feet in height, the young twigs are covered with
short brown, bristly hairs, which fall away with the bark at the end
of the first year, and the leaves are downy beneath. ‘The flowers are
red,%n nodding racemes, being quite showy, though not very large.

. THE BOTANY OF THE BUSH FRUITS. 255

The calyx tube is small and narrow, while the fruit is small, brownish
black, glandular, and insipid. The species is found on the Pacific
coast from British America southward through California and also in
the mountains of Mexico and South America. Although possessing
no value as a fruit plant, it has been long known in cultivation and
very generally prized both in Europe and America, though apparently
not widely known. It is said to render the woods gay with its bloom
in its native haunts early in springtime, giving somewhat the effect of
a large bush covered with verbena flowers, though differently arranged.
Unfortunately it does not prove hardy in the northern Atlantic states,
being reported tender at Boston and Rochester, N. Y.

The form known in cultivation as Ribes gordonianum is considered
to be a hybrid between Ribes sanguineum and Ribes aureum, being
intermediate between the two in general characters. It resembles
Ribes sanguineum in the character of its blossoms, though they are
lighter in color. It also seems to be considered somewhat hardier
than this species, being reported hardy at the Arnold Arboretum and
at Rochester, N. Y.

Ribes americanum Mill.—WiLp Buack Currant.—This is a
stocky little bush, three to five feet high, with sharply three to five-
lobed leaves, which are resinous dotted on the under side. The flow-
ers are white or yellowish, in showy racemes, the bract at the base of
each flower being longer than the stem of the flower. Fruit black.
This is very similar to the European black currant, being distinguished
from it chiefly by the larger and more showy flowers, with longer
calyx tube, and by the longer bracts at the base of each flower. The
species is distributed from Canada, southward to Virginia and west- °
ward to the Rocky mountains,

This species is seldom if ever cultivated, yet it is quite possible that
if it were brought under amelioration it would soon surpass its Eu-
ropean relative, as has so often happened in other cases. The fruit
possesses the same characteristic odor however, which, being distaste-
ful to so many people, has served to detract attention from it. In the
northwest the fruit is sometimes used, and since its disagreeable quali-
ties disappear with cooking it really has considerable value. The
plant has also some ornamental value, though seldom grown except
for botanical interest.

256 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

$3. Thornless and prickless; leaves rolled up in the bud; racemes
several flowered; calyx-tube elongated.

Ribes aureum Pursh.—Missourt, FLOWERING, GOLDEN, OR Bur-
FALO CuRRANT.—This is a free growing bush four to six feet high,
throwing up suckers from the roots. The leaves are rounded and
three-lobed. The flowers are bright yellow with a spicy fragrance,
the tubes of the calyx much longer than its spreading lobes. Fruit
black with a bluish bloom. Var. chrysoccoccus Ryd. has yellow fruit.
This is found wild from Missouri westward to the Rocky mountains
and is widely cultivated as a flowering shrub, both in this country and
Europe. It has been long known and under many different names,
having been at times called the Utah or Utah Hydrid Currant. More
recently it has been introduced as the Crandall. It is decidedly variable
in the size of its fruit. Some plants sent out as Crandall bear fruit
nearly or quite as large as a Downing gooseberry, while that of other
plants is no larger than acommon red currant. Its peculiar flavor and
the fact that the berries ripen irregularly and must be picked one by
one is against it as a fruit plant. It is a very attractive ornamental
plant in the early part of the season and is well adapted to the dry
climate of the western plains. Its chief fault in this regard lies in
the fact that it loses its foliage early.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS.

KE. F. STEPHENS.

Fellow-Members of the State Horticultural Society, Ladies and Gen-
#lemen: Another year has passed since we last convened in annual ses-
sion. It is gratifying to me to meet again with those who are mutu-
ally interested in horticultural development and advancement of the
state. Since we model the future by the profitable experience of the
past, it may not come amiss to review the lessons of the past year.

The spring of 1895 opened with abundant promises for the horti-
culturists. In May, however, severe frosts caused serious damage in
portions of the state. The unusual heat and drouth of September re-
sulted in a premature ripening of apples. Not having prepared to
retain our fruit by cold storage, the main ‘portion of the apple crop

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 257

changed hands at moderate prices, which were succeeded in from sixty
to ninety days by rates raising from $2.50 to $3.50 per barrel.

Our exhibit at Omaha in September, while far below the stand-
ard we hope to attain in future years, was reported by the correspond-
ent of the Orange Judd Farmer as the best exhibit yet seen at any
state fair in the west. With an increasing membership and a widen-
ing number of exhibitors to draw from, we feel confident that our ex-
hibit in 1896 will far surpass any yet made.

Over the greater portion of the state we have suffered from a lack
of sufficient rainfall, compelling us to study more closely, year by
year, such preparations of the soil, and methods of obtaining and con-
‘serving moisture, as shall give success in our work. We have listened
this afternoon to practical men who demonstrated how cheaply and
effectively to secure the water needed, through ditches and by use of
windmills and reservoirs. Doubtless we are entering upon a large
and practical application of these methods. It is estimated by the
close of the current year more than one million acres in the state of
Nebraska will be under constructed lines of ditches. Many will make
use of windmills and reservoirs in securing needed moisture for or-
chards and gardens. So successfully have our American inventors
applied themselves to these problems that the expense of raising and
storing water has been very materially lessened. In the near future
it will be practicable, I believe, to secure and store by these methods
an abundance of water for orchards, gardens, and lawns. For many
years to come, no doubt, the majority of our orchardists will rely on
the cheaper and more convenient method of preparing the soil for stor-
ing moisture with the plow, and retaining it by use of the cultivator.
It is our privilege to listen this evening to those who will explain the
necessary process.

Seasons like the last greatly emphasize the value of cold storage.
To place choice fruit in cold storage usually carries it forward to a
time when it realizes in market an advance of fifty to one hundred
per cent. In October good winter apples sold in the orchards at from
thirty-five to fifty cents per bushel, selling since December 15 at from
eighty cents to one dollar and twenty cents per bushel. One of our
Lincoln firms packed twenty-five thousand barrels. In our own expe~
rience we have found that closing the cellars during warm days and

opening them for ventilation on cold nights has enabled us to keep

258 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the cellar at so low a temperature as to preserve the better grades of
apples until January and February, realizing then the higher prices.
Perhaps one of the most important subjects before us is how to so store
our fruit as to realize the better rates. We have with us one of our
successful orchardists who will explain his methods of storage by
which he is able to market his fruit in a more profitable manner. Per-
haps he will also tell us how to utilize the waste products of the or-
chard in which there has hitherto been serious loss. We are led to
believe that evaporators will soon come into more general use, and
that a larger amount of pure cider vinegar will be made.

FINANCES.

The expenses of the past year have been much greater than the in-
come. Our allowance from the state has been reduced from $2,000 to
$1,000 per year. The removal of the state fair from Lincoln to Omaha
increased our expense in the fitting of new buildings. The problem
before us is how to do more work with less money.

One method of economizing is for officers and members to do a
large part of the work of preparing for and handling our exhibits at
fairs, instead of hiring workmen and police. Until the legislature
can be impressed with the value of our work and be induced to ap-
propriate a reasonable amount of money, it will be necessary for us to
rely largely on individual effort.

Something can be saved both in printing and in officers’ salaries. I
would recommend—

First—That the allowance made the President and the Superintend-
ent of Halls be cut off. About $60 can be saved in this way.

Second—That $100 be stricken from the salary of the Secretary,
and that the amount allowed the Secretary for postage, stationery, and
express on the reports be limited to $150.

To enable us to make a smaller amount of money do a greater
amount of work I would suggest,

Third—That the number of single plate premiums be increased.

Some method should be devised to keep the exhibition tables free
from fruit that is imperfect and discreditable in quality. This could
be accomplished by a revision of the rules of exhibit and by insisting
that fruit in bad order have no place on the tables. Special exertions
should be made to bring out exhibits from the northern, central, and

TREASURER’S REPORT. 259

western counties. The older and more experienced members can
render efficient aid by assisting the officers in helping those who
have not yet had experience in exhibiting to name and place their
fruit on the tables in such manner as to encourage them, and make a
creditable exhibit for the Society.

The terms on which admissions shall be issued by the State Agri-
cultural Society to the State Horticultural Society is worthy of dis-
eussion, and should be definitely settled on some equitable basis. I
would suggest, therefore,

Fourth—That after frank discussion of the question a committee be
appointed to confer with the executive board of the Agricultural So-
ciety.

Both Arlington and York invite the Society to meet with them the
coming summer.

Words fail to express just what we would wish to say in regard to
‘the loss from our midst of such a man as D. U. Reed. Taken from
us without a moment’s warning, it will be long before we recover from
the shock of his removal. He was in his prime. His cheerful face
and pleasant companionship has passed on. He was a light in our
councils and a grand oak in our horticultural forest. The good
work he has done can never die, but shall live on forever, a shining
example of what we may strive to imitate.

Let us look forward hopefully to the year before us. Profiting by
the lessons of the past, let us so apply their teaching that another an-
nual meeting may see us far in advance of where we now stand.

TREASURER’S REPORT.

LIST OF WARRANTS PAID.
Issued by F. W. Taylor:

Pee Erinn ee lem RY ION. c5 2p vcsue elect eat seacecns <chesidooses $41 66
BM eC eke Ele PR AICINBON «sa crennssoceleheg casas cots’ aescne 8 00
PMO PE GENIN. burs DUTIPOY 2c ereecceeded vnenes sonsetecvceseots 9 00
INGO aera. SME eee yet, oeatantiorsecrtesnstesectnatsetos 5 00
I CMmnney AEAe UR TSOWOLBh ore) roc ceca catwcoterccsomtoceds seats 2 50
Weitere ie iy SLOPMCNS.. Js2~ + ccsn seve cpavatsricatoacvseSsesss 9 00

Nae Go tbe WeBaylors 2). avsedecicsesdcelaepalhae 41 66

260

NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Issued by F. W. Taylor:

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

466, Peter Yontipers, Jitc.4 as selsnnds te lisndentcayeeas
467, State: Journal Oo f25.csbepescavicaes ac opiabehpestahan
AG8, By W... Dagptlon.w cc ccemnduthsg dh cebenk aadssberaaeees
469. Ts. Braner \icccsaieasceet ebeiattredeuck «nate aanabede
ATO, Es WissTay low fotcsce astet td egeelne sve Sawa kede cnt
471, Lawrenes: Braner ci ieisbb-.edtaale «ea dowase var ting
AIBN, Bae” scpacedangodlaginegetes tate Rebicaohen tin
473, Franklin Engraving Co....52..ssceseowdss cnsees
4/4,-onter: Printing (C0. s.ssses thasains stata sasasncce
47D SJ, Elorace McParland |, .ccccstskesesepspub encode
ATG, Ee! We Vaylonescaesns ccasenas onleeeesneeeasee eats
Aide Es Wis Lay lOr iy. cata ocuisiedsete te davies eatescmeeeee
Ai8, Charles 2H: (Cho witis's 310i decks iseaps smeecueseere
ALD WW oj Lay LOE kiss sigs, ssaisie see's siceiaove tee deastbue
A811, Bo WL Dayle i cst ois inocs saweasaw dees nae devisees
A392; Max: Weeatermanit ts. scaaceranceaartenasemiages
AGS, Pacific: Mxpress)\Co.i.scneddapend one sabres gd ener
A84, Max: Westermann j..< 7 descnsa: Honen nes caswae eerste

Issued by D. U. Reed:

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

No.

AS6, DU Reads. .dandadccctheste artis divdl anurans
ASG. DD... Reed. ssh tenwndetes ou ne eomeceGe Sees
487, D. U. Reed....... nls <b bie detalds Halts wl dedgemaeee weet
ASS .4D. U, deed ss. é<.cn couses datebtad od chomasneeeeot eee
ASS. DAU. Reed,. sxc cissleedasindsecsduscanvatee acieteeee
490; DU eed ....J0cctedascatnvancosnuedtsant meee
AO, WOW. Day lor ta ccapiacie soma sib wicca cee ae meena ee
953, Tg ROR sek Saupe samen on an ee arenes nica
ASA DLO. Weed \. sgeccsicauans deter ese eae teen eee
495; \ James Anderson s.s,nng/Whs Wdders ele sestnes se teeee
OGD, eed... es segs aaccakcapeston es kos gegen an meee
497, Ribble Paper CG... scussieranek abpacstavenseseeat
AQB SH. MW... Vay lor sds: vincuhwenane nant on eek cutee Ba ane
499, Jahn Woolf. v.cscsdautearenee sass tasacientemer dare
5004 Wim, Bork... sd.ceacedutewee cepeauameeeecs wean
O01 5 Mrs, ois Magini. 3) pctsascgeaadespoacbanaena
505;-D.: Cy Mosher 53.5.7 puccasadassabereeies Meeeanereee
506; Wi. Kubichek Js, .s2css dieasss enna Aiseeh baie ieeeneee

40
60
40
75
66
25
00
51
85
59
27
00
00
46
66
08
36
49

38
00
94
00
75
00
00
00
00
50
00
95
25
00
00
50
00
00

Issued by D. U. Reed:

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Ne:
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

TREASURER’S REPORT.
GUO ete 6 LA BE 2, a Ar ACES $36
Ase vous. Hendersgn:..: ...!.i.2.0005 sseasdaad lenaaennee 92
ADS Me MATA EST OLNELS «ies o2isisicits Selesoneeetos aeapananeae 169
i da bea OL” WINE 70 heats ee a re TAS 5 3
NE AR EMC Y CS ss ceia nin 'aiedec sabtied iow Hen teainateeheeme 12
ey ee AN COG cain Scacinsio sedated wields Sedge daonk eae dat nOay 15
be emaner Mlorgh) COs adsdsva.6a0 th eselcosces ddccseee 18
Ble tiie Gro OEM 92.2 cds od deaiyeaWas wah suede Gass sates 7
El PISEMENECE AAAAS) = cc Jeu wnicbolestae ewe caleddbatocknteeee 129
PM Atel EILOMIN sec ace Macngiun seeseebinus teank s<deaabas 6
1) (aN ED iE Te | OS Sa Mine aR Es See Y 4
Scene Chit PARMAR Ee ls Saree oka nce ac aahcs dace snes 14
Bere belle NAHE E OER a> cassis a lnelida’e oa Sindee vi Selenteatsin Senne 8
BU NY ber FLARES seo oteaye ceda Soe se athe etna caste a aeeas 3
Bede, .c Wid CT as cic maniapoandcnsislsthe tas deidetncetaeve 4
A ge] SGN Gd Ed (05 See my ep UN A 4
Hos. G.- AS Marshall... s.. Padres teen shed dente ce ees 18
oe OST ON CL cnn duct ool stein ess Steseowane cated 1
pee, MivebertsL) Ngai ci.) cicnscocine:s tees eeis ddioud tact seine q
S20, Aosep he Tal Mets). -...<an0cde ed seed wees cwwensaceme 4
GAT SLUT C HAG 11 eB ae nD ee O MOOLAERS ier. ST 7
Se eee NN UV IMLELOINDs cay snicsoatitie aaeeedaactoante does 2
BAW POA RGMIAM cs caacnica a denasct diets sc) kb aremtnee 3
et CANIS EOOMIWV ED: by. a ata aiaidnincanis as.ccls sivele Spaces Max coeaee 7
Heed WETS Wael NV LOW ses soe ones coeebitaldehicus tan ep eaaoee 2
ef ea NUTS peat nominee see os dewaes bac lk eieape aes 7
are reds Den lens. cys race ces aavancnds sew ecedaberapedes 12
BAPE Omens (PISA. 5:15 cesndpsienyencreane caancer gic 9
535, J. W. Madison........ 7 ap viata tails Meteret aes vie ae ous 19
SO AAMIANCCE Gs. obec os ins erie d svie Creme etuueless va anoamraes 28
BW A taee LIA WTEHECC: bin s0i5s bisjnpcince ine dace ee nak sete as 10
AG rl MIMO CE WOU ess scin.ngueee sa celoseaes ones snes dasds ses 21
ite eyrels SUC. acann- co nienaveamese <ceaaiidenegsecas 32
aay His ge oe ott orig p oyns soe. ane tian ae ela roa vas Aa 28
Sate S AVY WW nD VONY) nos \nsdolenpares Packet ee ber acuaatetes 1
ee OER CO ccc px ap sae > dpb mclcsa sidand iam cs esaeunnegs 20

ES ae ek; LACANSON.,>; scrues-Keebovbesh eschbesidndne 25

262

NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Issued by D. U. Reed:

mo; 1544.,. J. Gael... 4 A ects a cee eens kt eee $5
Wo.-545, Jobn Caleta, ivanteasenecuieee is tots .4 250 eee 2
No. 546, Mirs.-M. JA. /Moekiag, cangiass0n tls cists 18
No. 547, Peter Younrérs, Jityci sce gastos sncsvocteeaeen 4
No. 648, 36. Kectephena, ops caconasagaes tt a: 0 sctee aan 27
No. 65055, IM; Borwhatinyx: secastn soutien mare Sheree ets ts
INo.551;,* Wan Dad igoniic voreeaosaces teal ste Seren 5
No; 652, dL. Ac Denny. i2ccvete cup seus can che ato naceceReeeameee 5
ING. 053,’G.- Ma W hitford, :c225.c.g0cbsussd. cover neeeeene 67
No. 555, E. E. Sanborn......... ktushiawtuins w dadoanhvedeneeee 36
Won556, Job Gale:k iss. vaxcesavcccvawd tates nese eae 16
Woes 557, El ivatia Wenn its. ascacdceen botecehekacteacade ee 5
Nid. P58. Gee N Pies. cscs eSarss<cieeateeoeetee iactahaa seer 25
Nig. 959; Paul: Nemecheke,.\. 5. <vas.cit2 Senses det snedtes ae 22
ip, 2060, Chas) SN Oni6. os .0;. svete: san teetaen oe soo Poem renee 10
No: 61; Teaan Pollardssricvias soess cee tte. hie caestee 26
Pio-562, J; Ms Russell 6. cunccdc, ieantes Qoatnas fas Ome ceee 22
ING. 668, H.C: AW eBaasy icons cstyevccs teas a eee 2
WN 0. 2564, Lewis. Ricker :55.<. cineca tantasndeknaete see 2
No; 665, W...B. dRroberts:. 2 excess. casa ch teat y
No:.566, W... EL. Thompson, 2...) ...0 incense 8
No. O61; Mrsith.: M. Jones, <x. ite eee ne cteeactee 1
No. D68,-19.1, Reeds c. sei secs pace eee ys
No--569, A> Goble: 2) ..:iecescespexnene eevee ae ee 2
Neo. 70,32 Po Donlap .occiie Ses sales ndteg tee eee 2
No. 571; John; Roliwers:.i:..,ssedccantiawoteerabineatererees 1
Wo. 572, Jolin (Carter.ies ives vishsoucecav tote eee Sealewety 2
Mon078;: Tat 3B. ASPOWM: i ysis0 vewian sessweds tateeek Ue ae 4
No, 674,; Peter Y oungers..siacactawnthvatieresnnewt conta een 10
NGRH7 6, ad Mo: Net. oa, Scans teenaged as ee a ae 10
Wo. 676, OnE, Dovel; « ivsrvischeseetetec cde eka 12
No. 677, De: Link’&,Son.gscekeseve ne helene ee 3
ING. 675; Hiram: Ornig. 2.0.3. sottagias sean ne dgaennrermeres 24
ING..579, Blind Pater. «oss asc ds dover dew cts atoms eaten aes 1
No.. 580, Paul Stoltenberg 21:.i,itsts..-athandemedaner anes 3
Wo: 1581; °C.C,. Marshall. 5.2045 si vatehedd lel hesteece eee 14
No. 582; Otto Frahmii.é.sc. dca, Meigs agabade ims deetod decane 13
No}.583; Cr, Barnard.) .i:354cecavwanese. eet 42

‘ TREASURER’S REPORT. 263
Issued by D. U. Reed:
NOOO A OWIsar ls LuQUEFts...2.0..0.c0cs cos gesenvenancnaet ics $18 00
Wornoo, Mrs Peter Youngers, ......2.cs6.cedsanneWasions see 8 00
Nirerl ae OPAL ARODIOITIS, C5050 0:00 la sieips on'ca ocios oalcentens teens 5 00
GeO Ce ORSON Wi DOW iveictsecicscseeace sete: tetas 6 50
No. 588, Mrs. A. B. Lathrop....... bDesttee areas. Ngonay Rea 7 00
cred oes MiGitine 17s ATEN Ss lo. oc cacccsvecses amecccus ovdeer 1 50
Nie DOW mete NV Ui: MOROSDYs..cacsue ene dev etseecsee eaadee aire 1 50
Nigro lee Mrs MBE sa .cscceeds sev cdened tonseus's seaside: 1 00
Po oue: Mery. Le Swit alert cacc.ca causes act, seese+cns nelson 1 00
eS oee rss WY cel wt MGIC aye o.oo veh ca oseds ce cse cet esses 26 50
Nem ooa MrseWamiel Baniisedccasccssvcckseeee oaveee vacved 6 50
cay es eee reich chic Gran NCL: sab daciovetellsinecov'cssaas evveceuduces 7 50
Nard O, Manisa el, RODEFES e025 ..0cceonaweeetersadecn ssceee 4 50
Meio ie Miner Be PetersOuicecisievcsissvnesoncswsacaee cesses 1 50
Wowados Wis. Drusilla Dorsey... 020.0 oes.sc8 foie abns whee 50
OO irae dec Ds SMICKICY..sdvccctesces osiicowewecatecess 2 50
Issued by Jennie H. Reed:

BMfcine Vow DEC EOSIN RO 8 Sate icc veh cts Ds angen skeeteane 23 00
Pen ee bbe CGLEF MIAMI! v.02 54% sss vondeca vvdevceeacewuces thes 75
Wee ete EVAGICINSOE:. «5 decso2 dem esccuetsndceceess¥eemes 40 00
Pvc aed Vibes VERSED feese dean cvrisssaduncdedes tied ewer sea/sdasce 2 50

eh GC igig We DSC) 01012) 01 Oe ee aa eee pS 4 00
orale warraitlcy PAI us cae cas se nacieee onside aeusetaes 2,408 77

NeEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

In Account witH PETER YOUNGERS, JR., TREASURER.

1895.
Meee ie PALAICe: OM NANG. .c0..d.5. 505 0 yea cssavesesvsdonacenes

Sept. 23, Cash from Agricultural Society.............seeseee
Sept. 25, Cash, state appropriation.........cscesesessscseseeeees
Bermee CustieMirds dibs CCU: ...2.)vsecseacessnesccsesseeteeas
Dee. 31, Cash, D. U. Reed, membership fees................:

1896.
Jan. 14, Cash, F. W. Taylor, membership fees...............

Patel aia Gutit: PECCINEG .cc.sccc0 sce cicdscceteccccutes ee nese
Mota warrants PAald. 20.24 csnccncessennsocvieecassqevclase

Balance on hand January 14, 1896...........s.sceeees

$1,789 69
1,000 00
1,000 00

5 00
36 00

25 00

———

$3,855 69
2,408 77

$1,446 92

PROCEEDINGS.

SUMMER MEETING.

The summer meeting was held at Wymore on July 23d, 24th, and
25th, the following program being carried out.

The papers and discussion have been inserted with the similar sub-
jects from the report of the winter meeting.

It is believed that this arrangement is better than to follow the or-
der in which the papers were delivered :

TUESDAY AFTERNOON, 2:30, AT GREENWOOD’S HALL.

Address of welcome.

Response.

Music.

Pel INGDTARK A: t2cscssesn ot tuacateensecce Professor Lawrence Bruner
Ornamenting Home Grounds: 0.8 fic. 8. ce terscdson J. H. Hadkinson
Irrigation as a Factor in Horticulture...............4. bees J. L. Hoops
Fruit Notes by a Veteran Horticulturist.................sec00 R. N. Day
SMaM Mritits Im oarpy County co... . sk: nas yeacoesedvine cate E. E. Sanborn
Small Fruits in Washington County ................0008 G. A. Marshall
Bees the Friends of the Horticulturists..,........... Edward Whitcomb
Mie wart ‘HEDGE, vacsues £oe gttekcie wowace meh G. B. Galbraith

TUESDAY EVENING, 8 0’CLOCK.

Music.

~ Reminiscences of Frontier Horticulture in Nebraska,

Hon. R. W. Furnas

The Effect of Local Factors on Soil Moisture....... Prof. F. W. Card
Paper by Prof. G. D. Swezey, of State University Weather Service,
Music.
Paper by Prof. Chas. E. Bessey.
Cultivation an Important Factor in Management of Orchards

BMGs GGATGONa..... sccccesescos cashaveindin enuvevddsgs cme L. M. Russell
Advantages of Thorough Chltivanon Se ey cay eh: Fh. D. U. Reed

(264)

PROCEEDINGS. 265

Benefits of Subsoiling for Fruits and Field Crops......... A. J. Brown
malay Pench arm WeDraSka tess ietscedela sees sdocevebebenecan see J. M. Russell
PMU IMICENO ES MUEOS, ca SebececcdonescocesccsnueocBeeltnap es W. R. Laughlin
INGiy PUB se dat aeateh coqeasi tet cease ccvlecsscea svecceuoceWodas J. H. Masters
WEDNESDAY EVENING.

Music.
Small Fruits for the Average Farmer..................000 G. A. Dayton
The Raspberry and General Fruit Notes .............00..0086 G. N. Titus
Small Fruits and General Outlook for Central Nebraska,

W. F. Jenkins

THURSDAY MORNING, 8 O'CLOCK.

Fruit Prospects for Lancaster County... .......0..csscseseseeees J. G. Neff
Fruit Prospects for Pawnee County..............0:ssse000 C. H. Barnard

Ornamental Trees and Shrubs for Street and Lawn Planting,
E. F. Stephens

Exhibitions of fruits and plants, room for which will be provided,
are solicited.

Arrangements have been made with the railroads for a rate of a fare
and one-third on the certificate plan, provided there is an attendance
of 100. Be sure and take a receipt from the agent for your fare,
which will entitle you to the benefit of the reduced rates.

D. U. REED, Secretary,
Blue Springs, Nebraska,

WINTER MEETING.

The twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Nebraska State Horti-
cultural Society was called to order in room 15, Nebraska Hall, State
University, at 2 o’clock p. M., by President E. I’. Stephens.

Announcement was made that the program would be carried out as
printed as nearly as possible. Following is a copy of the program:

Program of the Twenty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Nebraska State
Horticultural Society to be held at State University, Lincoln, on
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, January 14, 15, and 16,
1896.

Exurtpits.—It is hoped that horticulturists and others interested
will bring in large exhibits of fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, seeds,

266 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

horticultural appliances, traps, pickers, pruners, dryers, sprayers, etc.,
more especially such as can be made at home.
The headquarters of the members will be at the Lindell Hotel,
Thirteenth and M streets. Reduced rates have been granted.
EK. F. STEPHENS, President, Crete, Neb.
Mrs. JENNIE F. REED, Secretary, Blue Springs, Neb.

First Day—TuEspDAY, JANUARY 14, 1896.

MORNING, 10 O’CLOCK.

Renewing acquaintances and receiving memberships.
Placing fruit on the tables.

AFTERNOON, 2 O'CLOCK.

Irrigation for Orchard and Garden,
Hon. I. A. Fort, North Platte, Neb.
Chartical Lecture on Orchard Irrigation and Cultivation....... ... Lute
Wilcox, Editor of Field and Farm and author of “ Irrigation Farm-
ing,” Denver, Colo.
Water Supply of Nebraska..0.......006500-teacoorae Prof. O. V. P. Stout
Strawberry Growing with Irrigation,
J. W. Stevenson, North Bend, Neb.
How I Obtained and Use Water.....John Tannahill, Columbus, Neb.
Question box.

EVENING, 7:30 0’CLOCK.

Report of Secretary.

Report of Treasurer.

President’s address.

Appointing of committees.

Sunshine and Cloudiness in Relation to Crops,

Prof. G. D. Swezey, of State University Weather Service
Conservation of Soil Moistures... Prof. T. L. Lyon, State University
Preparation of Soil for Orchard and Garden Work...P. Younger, Jr.
Benefits to be Derived from Thorough and Clean Cultivation,

Discussion led by 8S. W. Perin
Oultivation for Wrrigation: ...2) sisvespsahetv tes kane J. M. Russell, Wymore
Observations on Soil Moisture........ R. E. Emerson, University Place

PROCEEDINGS. 267

Report on Fruit Crop of East Central Nebraska...... G. A. Marshall
Report on Fruit Crop, Northeast Nebraska...............++ R. N. Day
Report on Peach Crop for 1895..............46. J. M. Russell, Wymore
Report on Fruit Crop, 1895.............008 Paul Nemechek, Humboldt
Report on Fruit Crop, 1895...........scs0006 E. E. Sanborn, Springfield
Report.on Hruit Crop............00-s2seene. Geo. L. Allen, Leigh, Neb.

Question box.

Seconp Day—January 15, 1896.

MORNING, 9 O'CLOCK.
Report of committees.

The Raspberry...........0 eared ectetae ae nice W. J. Hesser, Plattsmouth
Botany of the Bush Fruits......... Prof. F. W. Card, State University
Botany of the Strawberry............s.....ccssseneeesees- Dr. C. E. Bessey
Are the Birds Friends of the Horticulturist?... Prof. Lawrence Bruner
Neglected Native Fruits............0.csscsesseeceeconeeees P. Youngers, Jr.

Most Profitable Varieties of Gooseberry and Currants,
A. J. Brown, Geneva

Summer Fruits in Central Nebraska ........... W. F. Jenkins, Arcadia
At eleven, Election of Officers for Ensuing Year.

’ Report from Fillmore County ..........-.ssseee0 P. A. Murphy, Exeter
Report from Richardson County .........+ese+ee0 G. A. Slayton, Salem
low to Plat a Tree ccie si cines cocciee a0: snekies aaseandezee W. F. Jenkins

Question box.
AFTERNOON, 2 O’CLOCK.

Experiments in Hybridizing Plums......... Theodore Williams, Benson
The Farmer’s Fruit Garden................+ C. A. Whitford, Arlington
Strawberries: Planting, Cultivation, Varieties,
L. O. Williams, Council Bluffs, lowa
Raspberries and Blackberries, Varieties and Cultivation,
R. D. McGeehon, Atlantic, lowa

How We enue Small Fruits in Washington County...G. A. Marshall
Shade and Shelter for the Farm ................+00 G. A. Slayton, Salem

Orcharding in Cass County, i
Statistics on Commercial Orcharding in Nebraska, {

E. M. Pollard, Nehawka
PAM Us PACK ACS: scecideass )deensdececesseccsnses sevecr +etane sacnes W. R. Harris
18

268 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

Subjects for Discussion :
Cultivate the Local Market.
Winter Protection.
Experience with New Fruits.
Cost and Methods of Packing Small Fruits.
Home Canning of Fruits.

Is the Tree Vender a Necessary Evil ................0. J. H. Hadkinson
What Can the Horticultural Society do for the State?

Orcharding in Eastern Nebraska..............06 E. T. Hartley, Lincoln
BEG AGIGENLY oh acc ls nas vain tpt ets ce oe slasiannl C. H. Barnard, Table Rock
PRE UELANG of sleeve on dees svererd se sabs ovlucieeateterres J. P. Dunlap, Dwight
Pome Lessous of the Drouth:..5. :.cescessaesoutmen deus reses C. H. Barnard

EVENING, 8 O'CLOCK, UNIVERSITY CHAPEL.

Woeal Salo.t.cy..ses.. ase Meuetitecneseceches Cees Miss Florence Worley
An address—The Ethics of Horticulture .........Rev. C. S. Harrison

The State Horticultural Society combines with the University Lect-
ure Course for this evening.

THoirp Day—THuRsDAY, JANUARY 16, 1896.

MORNING, 9 O'CLOCK.

Deferred Papers and Discussions.

Report of Committee on Revising Rules for Exhibits.
Revision of Premium List.

Revision of Recommended Fruit List.

Appointing Standing Committees.

- Premiums To BE AWARDED.

As the resources at the command of the Society are less than the
annual expenses, the officers of the Society have offered the following
special premiums to assist in securing an exhibit of fruit. It is ear-
nestly desired that those who have been favored with a crop will bring
at least a basket of their best.

By Youngers & Co., Geneva:
Best collection of apples, not less than five varieties ............ $5 00
Best five varieties winter apples...........ssessee ith ebaeaahas eeniae 3 00
Second best five varieties winter apples.........sssee0 sshewccaueae » 12206

q
PROCEEDINGS. 269

By Marshall Bros., Arlington : ete peed
Peet a pee MNVMICSHIY. sata ssiiae.sc'eeweisscsw'eseae's cavociet secs $1 00 50c
Best plate) Missourl PID pi... scenes scaicesce.oncseernne 1 00 50¢
Pe on MAI EIN PTE ah cia See svisweleld ois gs'e fein ssa ceoive esuesnte 1 00 50¢
Beal ate pI AM Cbe eee cenag es dsaee Aes tees san vtiveled.swataleoes 1 00 50c
Raeaiiiates WALDEICRE . 0.00 vccarsioaselcy cces cesses sewores 1 00 50c
ene late LOMA SbEMM 's, 650 siti wilsb elses ce dnoleesecs 1 00 50c
Meertage ithe NUIT LOT igs, os ctied asc ash one; Sonactnnceas ehies a 1 00 50c -

By Crete Nurseries, Crete:
cat upttey INCH DAN ISI Uss occas esecwseve idecckveweee verses $1 00 50c
ese ibe OMAN WAN, : Soecesss.°Js ateliteecevecsanccdusovece 1 00 50¢
estyplase Grimes) Goldene. iit iit. cocdae tok ivindee as 1 00 50c
estoplate howar blashis..-.ic..10eesdss scleweere oraeceeace 1 00 50¢
pest plate homie Beatityy . 25) sche tees cite co tsiew es relee 1 00 50c
best iplate Talman’s: Sweet! .5..00 2... ses. .ceveeseven eas 1 00 50c
peskiplate Witter Peat \..i, 20 .cecss ceacsacscneeoese wees 1 00 50e

These premiums are payable in nursery stock, trees or plants, to be
selected from the catalogues of the above mentioned parties.

REDUCED RATES

Cannot be had unless one hundred purchase tickets and secure cer-
tificates at starting point.

Life memberships, five dollars; annual memberships, one dollar.
Both classes are entitled to copies of the printed reports.

A large part of the program is devoted to small fruits this year as
the third year on this plan. It is urgently requested that such careful
preparation be given topics assigned as will fit them for a manual on
topics treated. It is hoped discussions will be full, as they will be re-
ported by a capable stenographer. Special effort is being made to
make our coming meeting one of the best of the series. There will
be carefully prepared papers by experts, and addresses by men of na-
tional reputation. Live discussions on the first day will be very in-
teresting to all who would know more of irrigation or of cultivation
as a substitute for it available to all. Stand by the State Horticultural
Society. Become members and help extend its work. You will find
its officers earnest in developing the work of horticulture in our state.
Do not miss this opportunity.

270 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The entire session of Tuesday afternoon was taken up with papers
and discussions on the subject of irrigation and water supply.
J PPry

BUSINESS OF SECOND SESSION, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 14,

The Secretary and Treasurer read their respective reports, as given
elsewhere in this volume, which, on motion of Mr. G. A. Marshall,
were referred to the following committee: G. A. Marshall, D. C.
Mosher, and J. H. Hadkinson.

Mr. YounGErsS—Before my report goes into the hands of the com-
mittee, I wish to state that before I could get the state appropriation
I had to deposit with Auditor Moore warrants aggregating $1,000.
I have here the list of warrants left with Mr. Moore, together with
his receipt for the same, dated September 23, 1895.

The President read his annual address, as given elsewhere in this
report, and on motion of Mr, Youngers it was referred to the follow-
ing committee: C. H. Barnard, G. A. Marshall, and F. W. Taylor.

BUSINESS OF THIRD SESSION, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 10.

Mr. YouncErRs—I understand we have with us Mr. L. O. Will-
jams, of Council Bluffs, Ia., delegate from the Lowa State Horticultu-
val Society, and Mr. J. W. Hess, president of the Southwestern Iowa
Horticultural Society. I move you these gentlemen be made honor-
-ary annual members of our Society. Carried.

Mr. MArsHALL—Mr. Silas Wilson, of Atlantic, Ia., is also with
us, and I move that he be made an honorary annual member of our
Society. Carried. :

The committee appointed to examine the reports of Secretary and
Treasurer made the following report:

Mr. President: We, your committee appointed to examine the re-
ports of the Secretary and Treasurer, beg to submit the following re-
port: We have carefully examined the same and find them correct.

Respectfully submitted, G. A. MARSHALL.
D. C. MosHer.
J. H. Hapkinson,

On motion of Mr. Barnard the report was received and adopted,
and the committee discharged.
The Committee on President’s Address reported as follows:

PROCEEDINGS. 271

Mr. President: We, your committee appointed to report on the
President’s address, would respectfully submit the following :

On that part of the President’s address which refers to reeommen-
dation No. 1, as applies to Superintendent of Halls and President, we
would recommend that the expenses of the officers be allowed in the
fair work.

No. 2: That the salary of the Secretary be cut $100; that the So-
ciety pay the expenses of the stenographer; that the recommendation
in regard to allowing $150 for stationery, postage, and express be
adopted, but this is not intended to include blanks, tags, etc., as re-
quired for fair work.

No. 3: That the matter of single plate premiums be referred to the
committee on revision of premium list.

We further recommend that that part of the President’s address in
regard to admissions be referred to a committee of three to confer with
the State Board.

We further recommend that a committee of three be appointed to
draft appropriate resolutions on the death of our esteemed co-laborers,
D. U. Reed, H. T. Kelsey, and Prof. Chas. L. Ingersoll.

All of which is respectfully submitted. C. H. BARNARD.

G. A. MARSHALL.
F.. W. TaYytor.

On motion of Mr. Barnard the report was taken up and adopted
section by section, as read, except that part of recommendation No. 2
referring to Béoretry? s aaleiey which, being a change in the constitu-
tion, was laid over till the afternoon session.

At 11 o’clock the election of officers came up.

George A. Marshall nominated E. F. Stephens, of Crete, for Presi-
dent. On motion the rules were suspended and the Secretary in-
structed to cast the unanimous vote of the Society for Mr. Stephens.

A. J. Brown nominated G. A. Marshall, of Arlington, for First
Vice President and moved that the rules be suspended and the Secre-
tary instructed to cast the unanimous vote of the Society for Mr. Mar-
shall. Carried.

For Second Vice President Mr. Taylor nominated D. C. Mosher,
of Lincoln, and moved that the rules be suspended and the Secretary
instructed to cast the unanimous vote of the Society for Mr. Mosher.

Carried.

272 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

For Secretary to fill the unexpired term of D. U. Reed, Mr. Bar-
nard placed in nomination J. H. Hadkinson, of Lincoln, and moved
that the rules be suspended and Mr. Hadkinson declared duly elected.
Carried.

For Secretary for the full term beginning June 1, 1896, Mr. Bar-
nard nominated Mr. Hadkinson and moved that the rules be suspended
and the Secretary instructed to cast the vote of the Society for Mr.
Hadkinson. Carried.

For Treasurer, F. W. Taylor nominated Peter Youngers, Jr., of
Geneva, and moved that the rules be suspended and the Secretary in-
structed to cast the vote of the Society for the nominee. Carried.

For Board of Directors the following were elected, there being no
opposing candidates: J. W. Stevenson, North Bend; C. H. Barnard,
Table Rock; E. C. Erfling, Omaha.

Mr. A. J. Brown offered the following resolutions, which were laid
over till the afternoon session:

1. Resolved, That article IV of the Constitution be amended by
striking out all that part following the word “year” in the sixth line,
and in place thereof inserting the words “commencing on the first day
of June following.”

2. That article V be amended by striking out all that part follow-
ing the word “require” in the sixth line.

3. That article VII be amended by striking out all that part fol-
lowing the word “Society in the eighth line.

4. That article VIII be amended by striking out all that part fol-
lowing the word “ President” in the fourth line.

5. That article XI be amended by striking out the words “five
hundred” in the fifth line and inserting in place thereof the words
“four hundred.”

6. That By-Law No. 2 be amended by striking out all that part
following the word “Society” in the first line and inserting in place
thereof the following: ‘Shall assume the duties of their respective
offices on the first day of June following their election and continue
in office for the period of one year, or until their successors are elected
and qualified.”

7. That By-Law No. 3 be stricken out and the following substituted
therefor: “The officers elected at the January meeting, 1895, shall
hold their respective offices until the first day of June, 1896.”

PROCEEDINGS. Pages

8. That By-Law No. 4 be stricken out and the following substi-
tuted therefor: ‘‘The amount allowed the Secretary for express, post-
age, and stationery shall not exceed one hundred and fifty dollars per
annum, and it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to employ
a competent stenographer to report the proceedings of meetings of
this Society, whose fees shall be paid by the Society.”

BUSINESS OF FOURTH SESSION, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 15.

Mr. E. C. Erfling presented the claims of florists for damage done
to plants at the fair in Omaha on account of tent blowing down, as
follows: B. Haas, $15; Paul Floth, $10; Omaha Floral Co., $7.

On motion of Mr. Youngers the claims were referred to the Board
of Directors with power to act.

Mr. A. J. Brown called up his proposed amendments to the Con-
stitution and By-Laws, which were adopted as read.

Professor Bessey’s resolution in regard to forest tree plantations
was here introduced, and letter of Professor Keffer read.

E. C. Erfling introduced Mr. W. R. Adams, president of the
Douglas County Horticultural Society, who presented the following
resolutions:

OmaHa, NEp, January 10, 1896.

At a meeting of the Douglas County Horticultural Society, held on
January 10th, in the city of Omaha, the following resolutions were
passed :

1st. That as the accommodations furnished by the State Fair Asso-
ciation of Omaha for the exhibition of plants and cut flowers was en-
tirely inadequate for the proper exhibition of plants and cut flowers, ete.

Resolved, That we respectfully request the State Board of Horticult-
ure to use their influence in seeing that ample accommodations be pro-
vided before the next state fair is held, so that the many exhibitors
who were debarred from “exhibiting and competing” last year will
not have the same fault to find in the future.

W. R. Apams, President.
JOSEPH CHALMERS, Secretary.

On motion of Mr. Youngers the resolutions were referred to the
Board of Directors.

The location of the summer meeting being next in order, Mr. George
Marshall gave the Society an earnest invitation to meet at Arlington.

274 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Stilson, of York, invited the Society to hold its summer meeting
at that place, and supported his invitation by a number of resolutions
passed by the citizens of York. A ballot was taken, resulting in favor
of holding the summer meeting at York.

Mr. Taylor moved that the sum of $50 be placed at the disposal
of Professor Bruner for the purpose of buying material and having
cuts made to illustrate his article to be inserted in the coming report.

Mr. Barnard moved to amend by adding that Professor Bruner be
allowed so much space in the report as is necessary to accommodate
his article. The amendment was accepted by Mr. Taylor, and the
motion as amended carried.

BUSINESS OF FIFTH SESSION, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 16.

Mr. Pollard introduced the following resolution:

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Society that the executive offi-
cers be authorized to draft resolutions setting forth the views of the
Society on the subject of the manufacture and sale of acid vinegar,
artificial jellies, ete.

On motion of Professor Bessey the resolution was adopted.
The President announced the following committee on obituary:

Prof. F. W. Taylor, Peter Youngers, Jr., and Dr. C. E. Bessey.

BUSINESS OF SIXTH SESSION, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 16.

The Committee on Revision of Premium List made the following
report:

Mr. President: We, your Committee on Revision of Premium List,
beg to report as follows: In making changes we have endeavored to
extend the fruit list so as to obtain the best possible results without in-
creasing the amount of the premium list. The total changes, if
adopted by the Society, will only add two dollars to the premium list
as awarded last year. We have consulted with our florist friends and
adopted the changes recommended by the florists as presented by Mr.
Erfling.

We recommend the adoption of the following special rules:

6. It shall be the duty of the superintendent to appoint two assist-
ants, and they acting in the capacity of a committee shall remove all
fruit not in a fit condition for exhibition at any time during the prog-
ress of the exhibition.

PROCEEDINGS. ZS

7. Neo more than one plate of seedlings of any variety of fruit shall
be recognized by the judges in any individual or county display when
awarding premiums.

We further recommend that the Society offer the following pre-
miums:

For most artistic fruit design by county, first premium $10, second
premium $5, third premium $3.

For most artistic fruit design by any individual, first premium $10,
second premium $5, third. premium $3.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

PETER YOUNGERS, JR.
G. A. MARSHALL.
KE. C. ERFLING.

On motion of Mr. Slayton the report was adopted as read.

Mr. Slayton moved that the Society request the family of Mr. Reed
to furnish a photograph from which to have a cut made to be inserted
in the coming volume, and solicit from them the privilege of placing
it there. Carried.

Professor Card moved that the Society appropriate $30 to the farm-
ers’ institute work. Seconded by Professor Taylor. Carried.

Moved by Professor Taylor that the Society appoint President
Stephens visiting member to the Experiment Station. Carried.

The Committee on Obituaries reported, their report appearing else-
where.

Mr. Youngers moved the adoption of the following resolution :

Resolved, That it be the sense of this Society that the legislature
should provide adequate funds for running the farmers’ institute work.

Carried.
Adjourned.

FRUIT DISTRICTS.

No. 1—_SOUTHEASTERN.

No director appointed. Embraces the following counties: Polk,
Butler, Saunders, Cass, Lancaster, Seward, York, Clay, Hamilton,
Fillmore, Saline, Otoe, Johnson, Nemaha, Richardson, Pawnee, Gage,
Jefferson, Thayer, and Nuckolls.

No. 2—NORTHEASTERN.

Director, C. W. Gurney, Concord. Embraces the following coun-
ties: Knox, Dixon, Dakota, Cedar, Wayne, Pierce, Antelope, Madi-
son, Stanton, Cuming, Burt, Platte, Colfax, Dodge, Washington,
Douglas, Sarpy, and Thurston.

No. 3—EAST-CENTRAL.

Director, W. F. Jenkins, Arcadia. Embraces the following coun-
ties: Wheeler, Garfield, Loup, east half of Custer, Valley, Greeley,
Boone, Nance, Merrick, Howard, Sherman, Buffalo, and Hall.

No. 4—WEST-CENTRAL.

Director, E. Schroeder, Logan. Embraces the following counties :
Blaine, Thomas, Hooker, Grant, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, west
half of Custer, Dawson, Lincoln, and Keith.

No. 5—LOWER REPUBLICAN,

Director, G. A. Strand, Minden. Embraces the following counties:
Adams, Kearney, Phelps, Gosper, Frontier, Red Willow, Furnas,
Harlan, Franklin, and Webster.

No. 6—SOUTHWESTERN.

Director, John H. Powers, Trenton. Embraces the following coun-
ties: Perkins, Chase, Hayes, Hitchcock, and Dundy.
(276)

277

DAWES

* CRAWFORD

GRANT |HOOKER |r yo uas | BLAINE

FRUIT DISTRICTS.

FRANKLIN weasTeR

x Dw
os UCKOLLS JEFFERSO
{as eae) GES.

The figures on the above map indicate the Horticultural Districts into which the state of Nebraska is divided. Through an
oversight the name of Keya Paha county, lying north of Brown and Rock, was omitted,

THAYER

278 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

No. 7—LOWER NIOBRARA.
Director, A. D. Beebe, Long Pine. Embraces the following coun-
ties: Holt, Keya Paha, Rock, Brown, Boyd, and Cherry.
No. 8—NORTHWESTERN.
Director, J. J. Adams, Crawford. Embraces the following coun-
ties: Sheridan, Dawes, Box Butte, and Sioux.
No. 9—WESTERN.

No director appointed. Embraces the following counties: Scott’s -
Bluff, Banner, Kimball, Cheyenne, and Deuel.

LIST OF SPEAKERS AND CONTRIBUTORS.

The following list contains the names of the speakers and contribu-
tors, as well as of some from whom quotations are made:

Difference of opinion regarding the value of certain fruits or plants
will often come from the different localities in which they have been
tried, and reference to this list will enable the reader to make due
allowance for this factor. The number following the name is that of
the fruit district in which the person lives.

Beltzer, L. A.—1. Marshall, G. A.—2.

Bessey, C. E.—1. McGeehon, R. D., Atlantic, Ia.
Brown, A. J.—1. Osborn, W. B., Loveland, Colo.
Bruner, L.—1. Reed, D. U.—1.

Card, F. W.—1. Russell, J. M.—1.

Dunlap, J. P.—1.

Emerson, R. A.—1.

Fort, I. N.—4.

Sanborn, E. K.—2.
Slayton, G. A.—1.
Stephens, E. F.—1.

Galbraith, G. B.—1.
Harris, W. R.—1. Stilson, L. D.—1.

Harrison, C. 8.—1. Swezey, G. D.—1.

Hartley, E. T.—1. Titus, G. N.—1.

Heath, H. E.—1. Whitcomb, E.—1.

Hesser, W. J.—1. Whitford, G. M.—2.

Jenkins, W. F.—3. Wilcox, L., Denver, Colo.
Jenkins, Mrs. W. F.—3. Williams, L. O., Glenwood, Ia.
Leonard, I. N.—1. Youngers, P., Jr.—1.

Lyon, T. L.—1.

Stevenson, J. W.—2.

OFFICERS AND STANDING COMMITTEES, 1896.

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.

EF Stephens, President..5... veeso0.55 x0 seeaey cecens cae +ee->penvree Crete
G. A. Marshall, First Vice President...............,.. Bree Arlington
DC:. Mosher, Second: Vice. Presidents js: cic; ees vesscencescatuoe Lincoln
ride DIACKINSON, Secretary... sn. vaxcocs cevandenasye sone ceatseeeaeen Lincoln
erer Y oungers, sr. Preasrer 2..14-accidaness cident eh cgacneeenwe Geneva
IE ACPD oss a tyes eset en Daal nee misma etalpicag acts sea eee ee Omaha
GEE ISSO got 1s Sige See Ian a a Sa apm rn iate mamma e ers wove Table Rock
RABY. POLE VCUSOM 22. tar eae ku seemer one sesos as anne aay easlineeetenee North Bend

STANDING COMMITTEES.

SYNONYMS.
Bigerie WIaStOrs Ac. ¥ 2 acterevwhes nana ace aeaet oo eeeamenieren et Nebraska City
PALA A STONY sp sity eve sows ainn.a thes veleaas hue Nett rvs tate seis oh een Geneva
PepAVEN ECUSBEID Seis con pats seas poten geen geeawsateeenos ape neces sncniae sont Wymore
METEOROLOGY.
Pyar Ge 1), SwOZe yo sc.kuccc-cehresiceaks aes eget eee wareenen seme aee Lincoln

ENTOMOLOGY AND ORNITHOLOGY.

Prot doawrence. Bruner... ....2cascs Rin edednewas vabaeeh oaks ae Lincoln
VISITING COMMITTEE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF
NEBRASKA EXPERIMENT STATION.

Hilt Stephens vis sevaeveteosctetégecssPeadanue soerenel tent bees eeyaeel Crete
GEOLOGY.

Proty 1, H.. Barbour. scssnscccessvunessgananceds eoereecaeee ee Lincoln

STANDING COMMITTEES. 281

FORESTRY.
PAD Gye geniorcs eivaeceas oc cts s’s osc) sadevocedosteun vaduedenner case Lincoln

Eee SHAT Cue sori s. ducsaat ce sienececescesseees cneascoeeaveaes Lincoln
ORNAMENTAL GARDENING.
Mtoe EA ION .coe ir euccac aetceis~ce seve cuba i Soms cee tse css teens Lincoln
LEGISLATION.
BoE SCR MCI oso os bie one ncaces ce aces souccrterercecestheeccdscnens ete Crete
POMC TEES IT evcatsep- se osnetalcces «nevis ie dacs ont cenvuearsonare Geneva
eee ob ie acts sca aaccenaihwecerinswecdcts-cececeesevecstescaaarasnceses Omaha
PN ee Me LOE tel ac ween. fens ceeancacans dos sbesceiatsese teettvqnpscttos Lincoln

Re AAEM yee cc ovanecseeaacncessnccsensncudsessteecsecsttasacaves Lincoln

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.

ACTIVE LIFE MEMBERS.

Ailemutder, Ge W icacsccssncacoveccisetanet lear tite chats tganauny eee Friend
earner, (rEL.. ..73253 5 kasd Med da Soe keke paeeeeeeee | Series Table Rock
Premises TAR. 0s ocho wien ncigas chases vedeasencedets ade hence aren eanneee Falls City
PROS A Ag EE a ta halen ch cnarsien sues Sueae dower ea eehan eaten acer Osceola
Pease (Achar les Hi ciccoccaiecsonaesendetocann staves tvasses eee Lincoln
Palo eetiy BEE 22. ds cs eidsus se ckyiaem tsaetacet tas gees sencaveaenareanes Lincoln
eRe WV CHES o ons kbs deans ceteraceinereeadsins ths 513 n. 9th st., Omaha
PAPO Wil AGU ben oealeccwaicasch cans «banar sath Osaeu aedemnen aes sae eee Geneva
Psp, MDS We sa snnkad obra sude wets ac ewieicts 2S telah ose cadls baetaagiaete ee Mae Lincoln
WAR OWUS As Won ssasea ae ts seme oben toeworehoes dew gages setaaewns ates caer ene Lincoln
TOW, Lies sede taeelar esate caches vomene os inet ageah eet ee ave taageen Kearney
Campy Charles Bc 24 vate ve op scien enesadehcgcbee toate aenee tee Cheney
a EW dcnnisicaln nev usec nee Giese a Mallee vie soleus erate te aiiget ae eee Lincoln
MORE eOLOR, Ata: a) oseineu vahican semen smemesien Ses eaten Vem Au ermine eae Fairbury
AP RIS LET AA. hi wre shinies os toate recta nce sencstpecens Aanatheelaa nena Lincoln
AS reap, TOMCAL i ipndosees hope edantes oamenee someneoie et owe aa Reemae Lincoln
Chowne Charles Hri5sa.cta\claandbd (ee cuasereodses Seacienes eateeeebes Lincoln
AC aeEty, AV akucmen as cos toras amen Choe nate’ ncn abec cued seu seen aaeaae Pawlet
RON ELATAI soilnne Maa ncesinjetvle s/s audes'vareema deat oun en eeee Ft. Calhoun
REIN) sf Wai «cin eee cance Sho dys toe aude meson names Box 761, Lincoln
Damrow, Charles F......... sma Geaitinatch ws Susie aaielere bite secon aiden mbar Lincoln
DISNEY, he VEL sisesie’s nnn svete’ np oo Veoh eden Soy col sues <claa vane ea eeeeem Omaha
Raitt Woe ED is sche scabe Vout canes teen’ aeateet watedee seus area ene Fullerton
rey ih: IN on cas cites pba Conte cdacbelee on stiayviaebalaeuitn dis tasteeeneente Tekamah
a i earice, (0; WC) Siceb acorns cedars sedednigtis enaleat orien iene ie Fairbury
De weber, LH. Nv .c.c sccccsnessesleadees santus vobtes oie lneseee setae gs ems
Oars: lis) Woe coin’ inn ics o'vs. acts stnale nls oeinaivcapayitengiatana’s tin Rasa ae Crete
Diican;., JOR... cccss sense xsae dans sev antago sensd teen diese) anact ae Portal
POG 0 Passives nvisthnat dave ceceth,cen stv tatogeg etenaners awe eee Dwight
AGRE APLONIY oii 25. cue seaay'nceplpesipe sen eegtunnm ieee ate Box 41, Omaha

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 283

MME Eee Crs dat Ja canacaty dle. sveseceseyeccce 1150 Sherman ay., Omaha
LDN: LEG (Oke ie eR MOORS en me RD Ceo Lincoln
Mao US oa TY vl aona se. > sesivowdulen sas eoeegudoan ements Johnson
Ce Bde n yt teinics Sos ch 12s ova devdecsesesesvécacnseeseengete ws Lincoln
Pe etn yi iek waniess piste <sztes ostscove hed seonaveseees sunt eeden Lincoln
IIMS YES lace tcavadcs sijinddeddesaiee wvdcodddernesee Brownville |
PRG, IAC so. sca sascdes'eces's Hct cteaeat vey Ledtere i aesadeane dee Fairbury
PA a Sars td raat sidas cuddsdes ot aevedese cdee voyeaneed vecoud (bates Tecumseh
MME par Stee irk boa wa gat ewes vba cas dvdlesaed ei venbwe be osadeeeneen Jansen
Pe Ma foo. bey sevad navies epueessvesiaddessnasucessen ten test ts Lincoln
EE Ey Niet cieaks Seas Cibaeseeandvsess Lewgevtvebacnsevages Ft. Calhoun
ET TW cae con iad avenstearcannsavansvseseecase sdecspeuetecdee Concord
MPEACURGO IPE MASEL UES, alot capone ds ohodes coveilseceencovacide'vewasaviaagecses Lincoln
MEMES SVS Fur eA se Sab tot a tctbGs neces Sotehiniovaeceasvous suunyeeet Tecumseh
RHEE MOMS eth Picveis scale tokterssPosteacepscvosedseorde Weeping Water
BURP NAO geet iS8s odie sonteeecs lcdeesnvs vxisdsnous shevnaseaduenee dye yes Lincoln
RMNMEEHER CO AIRIB, 1,101 sictoaie vials s'ebaleceite ce ves es en seamen vevebnsdaerewde Omaha
MIME ts access dsadalasvegadadensded canada do didte slesgteaeaeee Lincoln
MEI M Ne aU sos favdcdd sovdsdudccdecvess sal caeesecies 1612 Farnam st., Omaha
EE TCO an Ageet te alstaidas dav welovohle viele ole icls avin Sledin secieersiaeabretiontss Omaha
Hesser, W. J.......+: Pen aeons ian aecesidestokvesesie ve iiee secsen Plattsmouth
OSA See tei iceseaaish ues cote asinsdencisicationsscucsesepac vanes ones Shelton
MECN i Hea crcMsiatrae At sacis th alin ad oes sme lelecncisecadaceanaseseune Arcadia
ee cele e sone outidctentes\ cade splpageecsiacivoddeeeasseesnseae Box 961, Lincoln
IR eh ep icieyifelcentals sein ares oien.s'wisn vale Sowvaisconayesadee ...Seward
MMR Rey . SoAece cic aiven athens (aeuh decelgn be sso nb vue Sewemanerscepeears Lincoln
Loughry, James..........cccesccccccsscrscerssscsecccccssecesecesecsoees Geneva
Marg le eA. slenistelaca cena vennneusvicwecesteseedvscsninevees Arlington
MPMSR CT oO EN ote ve crieerialeved dosieatiineedcvesneaseecesiedesesne Nebraska City
PCT DW cc eiccisis bass caerassiccrudcindaceescsenesedaadenescdevaswenes Lincoln
MRM SEED, Bc nis vewisicede'cle geal aconucvewesesencsesVescsseseesareedses Omaha
MONS cond ke ctnias be-cnsen ths sis 66edcencecnsasnsendeapecenons Saltillo
HCN CoE sc 5 facts ococascscsnenede ce scecces sovesescesesene Greeley Center
DG ser, TIO... 2.. onacwcce: coececerstaccassesessssorsressssceossecccsens Lincoln
NGAP. Co ievcceciecacccecccescvcacwonedecesescccateccsecseoscsesace Lincoln
Murphy, P. Au........ccecceceececeesenseesescsesecsenes seseeeeeeseeses Exeter
MT MG eco seven dais onions Cjnnansacneease'snendaensaesnaccesacdmas Raymond
Nemechek, Paul...........scsecescseceseeecssessevesececeeevesseess Humboldt

19

284 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Weep er Whe dict coca ah Cb apwnoes as se aek eomwas sre entee? tennant Lincoln
MWR EES ERY «WV. yen nisectiahnidranaieaemnlanineaasanoae se bata keaee amen Blanche
PRM Es, W inc assnies cba tie svincdreeeeesBawswerenna step key toes eee Lincoln
HesreNsOn, HF Panik... xsi syicequecetus sa sucereaeh soe tay sa vodh's tenga ape Bancroft
Rebar. Bis Mai Rk caenades sas uaeag oastnanssaeetiee tess cndemeceene Nehawka
REMMI ATC i RAGAG iis. cst tome nic ox nak etaniduanan clean nien ds axe custeeete ene Nehawka
Ieee 76s. Adin stat, Cech Gas a ep esndeee Ae wurst Matis cae Hamburg, lowa
Resa Mire) Jennie El... nul dcwtakeecdenceeie oS hs as Ee aa Blue Springs
Peale SON (EGG cs coins vyalvieasesqucwesd puis yaseueeaen sey aea se wen gene Crete
Bisset Bo ON 5 6a. od obec vanedasas cavailuaeaguascn= sun tuceadive «tasaseeen ane Albion
Rmsarls Dc tO. cin vwdsns wed agesseadmcisasaesessunee «pete eiiee cma Wymore
PSAIOBIT, HI UETs nai vaced slayevai puevoeser est shentastoan es oxeateseoranee Springfield
Deepening Wer, cc ey. gn snc siguaamems sgqkmanece Ja una cen an hee aaeNesee Lincoln
PIMMTRHONED AL. Jo. asc ycovevaccestieegassetevacuse ue tvnueas canny ee ene York
SUAEON ACORGE A... ges ccdasessesanseseadincncdneensnesces ens qseeaee Salem
RIP REE Sts i cuehaackcn sa anennsaceare catered tancrtedccsbnneemeneene Falls City
PUTAMEN el tase So Zac wpbenpe are ede Cite ev eit sret vealics wise aeeae ane Geneva
PAAMDMNGt Dat ospie cine paigticissiaeeatinoenaq\aceeeuedeees Willow Springs, Mo.
PU CpR SE, Gis irs. 4s Shee 1 cnsaa,nasoteinaaaacnste oaetnacnmenin seeker Crete
SA eaMEIMD eh. WN cs cicdeedu cha anep een ecbbrreccshapanucascemeeer eres North Bend
SHERRI) c-30's ssc nerce vvnaets ppaaeiey sy pekeaeessuinsaa pre's ee eeeeeae York
lL! 2 Cad Ete A eke Mn Taw, Tepe teeta OE Minden
Seanmeemieny.s > re 19) ts vance cacasaadddeareanantt yiantente sianeue a manne a Natt ee Lincoln
Paves: Tred arte DW. a. cisiasaisncehwcejsniadsaaesaset scdinencascsaaa ounces Lincoln
Etter, IM cD) .F stan inn basse ane hear eepamehewee eres babee hele saan Lincoln
Pata? INGA). asia canesaina cnaaiaso cocina touins bevewtons sxaaaee eaten Nemaha City
Uva. 6) IW vi sive. vnaccanngannnaunannavsivaaieneSaiiiaasadaeiiasie denis ae Crete
Pepremerent AG, 1, wise weudprann sngvesban dy sap renee ine sena ta naree naan Harvard
PVC EPISR, MDE. onc s0dsietanesaanpnes Sacpasnueiecues tenner Ren Gasremen Omaha
Miciblantne: , CheORore: «5s cxinsadnaateayaieecdannaqevasaakasaseteentees Benson
UIST GW tL biveite on vcsceamas a bwadtle San eR ENese er careee Box 17, Lincoln
TN Ope ASB sansa vebsaceene Uvuseaudeiaeabgoas euraveeee Washington, D. C.

MOnmeRs MEALET) CIT. c.xxqusecsuecoy wasn adndyentes aauetacseeen Lage Geneva

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 285

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS.

APD ge iste te cate ocish Sec ga nhc vies esis dvrnes$ voeteow oaveesancoeteate Ames, Iowa
BENCHES Cra ys Aceon ok isoe devs Sete ote tosrsdewatewe daicet Denmark, Iowa
Dart DE yt o's a's Ve cucteue eins ots se¥kdbiacee ane ceedeeseseeeed Lincoln
Campbell, George W............- Peete ve Beviseina ua Shae ue Delaware, Ohio
Beapa tee MU GEEN 207 ccterernr oe tecseeaticl.dsscatwet «as ouegenettoceciy Ft. Calhoun
Re PEPE SEEM ats od frniseus ee signa le s/c weve vaasos sdeess Ocean Springs, Miss.
Bee pM LGV INV seks nioate cv os oe detvcies aeiursinchien xe Grand Rapids, Michigan
Batererate Cher yIN Gp de cia.) ae a ceaue thf et Unb ena Excelsior, Minnesota
PEN OTe eee Berg cleene Asc s Salon Capgaipcjaa ties’ lowe oot South Haven, Michigan
PROM OM eg LEC MEM. 22 Sinko. ton. sies temas tanec egapeaaner Sens’ Nebraska City
Peau ICUS OA CSiee, ce esis salon cen addons eebnins duecepnesia fader atacd Mawes Omaha
erie RA PEt Eek Bots Seo hs. vcs a Sn esiviels hae se w'de sense ebincedaadle’s Parksley, Va.

Bele TRAY HTS a ie ones a ctls ato’ aie wdisloe as aie tesabinecs’ coeuedotenes Omaha
PET STE, PA tet cee ode Saiisaivs ce tuwleedvitecavetdcecesbeecseosuraens Leigh
IS iy MCR eee etnne cia tielunewsoties vehowtbieassniies ienedeasiieusne Johnson
Wola: John’ sic ch aicseaeees Sea aed ocala an erie tai cuemberwlaoueieatras De Bolt
RRB Lay Ase anos Mama dtaeaccdssw dads Dive aniescuaeevagecumecd femacasin Clarks
MPIC TUE Ra asia acca ete ad ascii souaivnie Sle cadet O ae re ¥ern oi Crab Orchard
[sy SESS eae ne ara es eA ee Hi dehalncbinnss Sean ene Auburn
MeN pee eict lnc ociiceplaetaaactotelseatecs'etnmsunscitubvacenirestteoned te hee mmm
Parte HICH WARE oe. 0 ioe Reeeceniad saws seduce towed ge sadeseeed sotetecomesteeee
Sree Ada ots ran haved) daa/= slnsWlcchsal veer ovide Se aeldileleseinla settona meer east Ord
Mimeren iste ld Loh, ao cE de sd vawicladaieee vevs cass Saceasvansnar sents serves Reynolds
MereRMOOC eel) Hiicatcslendenwighes lated suteBuismecievsiacheGhijewssices alec aeeene rene
eel yl o te Ae ead acts a'sGnaignasaiveare sa aswacenmansvgcedesceets Bellevue
ates ae eet tenes ati aie Seals Sombeld saiuy hvatl swsleniese- ses aelgeee ate meeee Pibel
Pay Sem eeeE ee eee Seat aieits « dbixsleanaigne sda tinetcluselaisicls eee sas auen'euntes Trenton
IMIDE MITEL MEO. SUBIS 2 ae a cuicaieljsioroids ee Cianide'sniaaianie ydosaw inate eanletle cance De Soto
BN SA cesielelsas sas ssiaeSa Sonne way sw, sha cinlonie ee cs sielsint's Sema tiniva Wymore
ra ee UU MATL socal Ls vainly clay soley meme (ads maw Nason aien Sl tele ae Florence

Pisa agent rent ee ee oacs «pide rece anciety adecheswnsnaamedenen Columbus

286 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Pry el tes ack oPveen denseap unine'nnadadeatnehey nex tae ruidee yay wriieinaMe Madison
PUN Ripcrmedor Cr: ML... ase? ict ceeb equine oe Sesmarean aactawa tran oeehy neestad Arlington
VAPOR TS OND, Js cinineh se shidpohadantavcneednekeada da pin qeduheRneman Oaepag Webster

HONORARY ANNUAL MEMBERS.

PCH DAVY & ae Sacicadevaidandey os dope ap eases steceeaeanes Council Bluffs, Iowa
RV alana, AO sy is cask eon sss ve acth acasayepscgemesestnccyas Glenwood, Lowa
NV Tsai AlAs Westies watch boa esse akkraa dep iieenes rhe Atlantic, Iowa

- Active Life Members............ 101

Honorary Life Members........ 12

Associate Members............... 22

Honorary Annual Members.... 3

CONSTITUTION.

ArtIcLE I.—Name.—This association shall be known as the Ne-
braska State Horticultural Society.

ArricLe II.—Object.—This Society shall have for its object the
' promotion of Pomology, Arboriculture, Floriculture, and Gardening.

ArTICLE III.—Membership. — The membership of this Society
shall consist of four classes, viz., active, associate, annual honorary,
and life honorary. ‘The active membership shall consist of persons
practically engaged in fruit culture, forestry, floriculture, or garden-
ing, who shall be admitted to life membership on the payment of a fee
of $5 at one time; to associate membership, by the payment of a fee
$1 annually. The honorary members shall consist of such persons as
may be elected at any meeting of the Society by a two-thirds vote of
the members present, and shall have all the privileges and benefits of
the Society except those of voting and holding office, which privileges
shall belong exclusively to active members.

ArtTICLE [V.—Officers.—The officers of this Society shall be a
President, First and Second Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and
a Board of Directors of eight members, said board consisting of the
officers enumerated in this article and three additional members.
These officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the
Society in January, and the term of office shall be for one year, com-
mencing on the first day of June following.

ARTICLE V.—Duties of President.—It shall be the duty of the
President to preside at all meetings of the Society, appoint all com-
mittees not otherwise provided for, countersign all orders drawn on
the Treasurer by the Secretary; in conjunction with the Secretary he
shall arrange all programs for the meetings of the Society, and perform
such other duties a3 the Society or Board of Directors may require.

ArticLE VI.—Duties of Vice Presidents—The Vice Presidents
shall superintend all exhibits of the Society, and in case of vacancy

(287)

288 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

in the office of President at any meeting of the Society or Board of
Directors, shall perform all the functions of that office in the order of
their rank.

ArticLE VII.—Duties of Secretary.—The Secretary shall keep an
accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Society and
Board of Directors, draw all warrants on the Treasurer, and keep an
Accurate record of the same as countersigned by the President, prepare
for publication and edit all reports of the Society requiring publication
by the statutes of the state; in conjunction with the President prepare
all programs and make all other necessary arrangements for all meet-
ings of the Society.

ARTICLE VIII.—Duties of Treasurer.—The Treasurer shall be the
custodian of all moneys belonging to the Society, and shall pay from
such funds all warrants drawn on him by the Secretary and counter-
signed by the President.

ARTICLE IX.—Duties of Board of Directors.—The Board of Di-
rectors shall have general management of all the affairs of the Society,
for which no specific directions are otherwise provided in the Consti-
tution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE X.—Bonds of Officers. —The President and Secretary shall
each give a bond in the sum of $5,000, and the Treasurer in the sum
of $12,000 for the proper performance of his duties, which bond must
be approved by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI.—Salaries of Oficers.—The President, Vice Presi-
dents, Treasurer, and members of the Board of Directors shall receive
such per diem pay for their services in attendance upon the meetings of
the Society as the Society or Board of Directors may from time to
time determine. The Secretary shall receive an annual salary of $400.

ArticLE XII.—Reports of Officers.—The President, Secretary, and
Treasurer shall each present an annual report in writing at the Janu-
ary meeting of all the business matters pertaining to their respective
offices during the annual term expiring at that time.

ArtTICcLE XIII.—Meetings.—The Society shall hold two or more
meetings each year. The annual meeting shall be held in Lincoln
on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in January, as provided
by statute, and the other meeting shall be held at the same time and
place as the annual exhibition of the Nebraska State Board of Agri-
culture.

BY-LAWS. 289

ARTICLE XIV.— By-Laws.—By-Laws not in conflict with the
provisions of this Constitution may be enacted by the Society at any
regular meeting.

ARTICLE X V.—Amendments.—This Constitution may be amended
at January meetings of the Society by a two-thirds vote of the mem-
bers present, such amendment having been presented in writing and
read before the Society at a session preceding the one in which the
vote is taken.

BY-LAWS.

1. All the officers of this Society shall be elected at the January
meeting.

2. All officers of this Society shall assume the duties of their re-
spective offices on the first day of June following their election, and
continue in office for the period of one year, or until their successors
are elected and qualified.

3. The officers elected at the January meeting, 1895, shall hold
their respective offices until the first day of June, 1896.

4, The amount allowed the Secretary for express, postage, and sta-
tionery shall not exceed $150 per annum, and it shall be the duty of
the Board of Directors to employ a competent stenographer to report
the proceedings of the meetings of the Society, whose fees shall be paid
by the Society.

5. The first business of the Society shall be on each morning the
reading of the minutes of the previous day’s proceedings, and submit-
ting the same to the approval of the meeting.

6. There shall be elected at each winter meeting nine District Di-
rectors, one from each horticultural district in the state.

Also a standing committee of three on Synonyms.

Also a standing committee of one in each of the following: Mete-
orology in its relation to Horticulture, Entomology, Ornithology,
Geology, Forestry, Vegetable Culture, and Ornamental Gardening.

7. These By-Laws may be amended at any general meeting of the
Society by a majority of the members present.

290 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OBITUARIES.

Davin UNDERWOOD REED was born October 12, 1842, at Car-
lisle; Pennsylvania, and met accidental death at Glenwood, Lowa,
September 27, 1895. At the age of six years Mr. Reed moved with
his parents to Port Byron, [llindis. When nineteen years of age he
volunteered his services to his country and joined Company H, Fifty-
first Infantry, and was in the service four years, seeing a great deal of
hard service. He has tasted of prison life and was honorably dis-
charged at the close of the war. After the war he removed to Ham-
burg, lowa, where he remained until 1881, when he removed to Blue
Springs, Nebraska. At this place he conducted a successful nursery
business and was always a hard worker, an enthusiastic fruit-grower,
and one of the most wide-awake and energetic citizens. A man of
noble character, possessed of such a kindly nature that won him
hosts of friends everywhere, who greatly miss him both in his every-
day walk in life and in his chosen pursuit, horticulture.

Mr. Reed rendered good service to our state in 1893, collecting fruit
for the Nebraska exhibit at the World’s Columbian Exposition, in
which he was very enthusiastic and gave much time and energy to
make the Nebraska exhibit a success. He will be greatly missed by
his co-workers in horticulture, among whom he was held in the great-
est respect.

CHARLES LEE INGERSOLL was born November 1, 1844, in Perry,
Wyoming county, New York; died December 15, 1895,in Grand Junc-
tion, Colorado; educated in the common schools of his native town
and the neighboring town of Orangeville until eleven years of age,
and after that for seven years in the public schools of Commerce,
Michigan, to which place his parents moved in 1855. In 1862 he
began his career as a teacher by conducting a country school for a
winter, and again from 1865 to 1872. In the last named year he en-
tered the Michigan Agricultural College, at Lansing, graduating in
1874 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He continued his

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OBITUARIES. 291

_studies another year in agriculture and chemistry, and was then elected
foreman of the College Farm. Two years later he was awarded the
degree of Master of Science, and a little later was elected to the profes-
sorship of agriculture, a position which he held until the latter part of
1879, when he accepted a similar chair in Purdue University, Lafay-
ette, Indiana. From this position he was called to the presidency of
the Colorado Agricultural College, Fort Collins, Colorado, in August,
1882. Here he remained nine years, in the later years serving also as
director of the Experiment Station. On the 15th of May, 1891, he
transferred his work to Nebraska, becoming professor of agriculture
in the University of Nebraska, in which a month later he was made
dean of the Industrial College. In 1892 (October 10) he was elected
director of the Experiment Station. These offices he held until fail-
ing health compelled him to abandon all work in the spring of 1895.
He ceased to be director of the Experiment Station in April, and com-
pletely severed his connection with the university June 30,1895. In
these years of service as a teacher Professor Ingersoll took active part,
also, in public work, serving for three years as one of the officers of the
Fair Association of Lafayette, Indiana, and three years as treasurer
of the Board of Education of Fort Collins, Colorado. Earlier in
life he rendered a service to his country, which doubtless must be re-
garded as the greatest of all. In 1863 he enlisted as a private in the
Ninth Michigan cavalry regiment, and served to the end of the war.
When mustered out of the service in August, 1865, he had been pro-
moted to the office of orderly sergeant.

Among the published papers which came from his hand were many
bulletins from the Colorado Experiment Station, notably those on
“ Alfalfa,’ “Sugar Beets,” and the “Grasses of Colorado.” After
coming to Nebraska he published bulletins on the topics “ Farm
Notes,” “ Detasseling Corn,” “The Cost of Farm Crops,” “The In-
fluence of Changes of Food and Temperature on the Quantity and
Quality of the Milk of Dairy Cows,” “ Wheat and Some of Its
Products,” and “ Alfalfa.” He issued also the Sixth, Seventh, and
Eighth Annual Reports of the Experiment Station.

_ It remains for us to say a few words of Professor Ingersoll per-
sonally. Physically he was a tall, straight, soldierly man, and before
the attack of the dread disease (locomotor ataxia), which eventually
caused his death, no man walked more erect upon the university

292 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

campus. A kindly, genial, gentle man; a gentleman in the true_
meaning of this noble word; a scholarly man, who had always a kind

word for every one who came to him,—such was the friend who has

gone from us. May the memory of his kindly life prove a benedic-

tion to those who knew him, and who tarry a little longer in.life’s

vineyard.

Henry T. Ketsry, of St. Joseph, Missouri, whose death occurred
during the latter part of 1895, was an honorary annual member of
the Nebraska State Horticultural Society, and was always greatly in-
terested in horticultural matters in this state. For many years Mr.
Kelsey conducted a large nursery business at St. Joseph, under the
style Kelsey & Co. Mr. Kelsey’s business dealings were always con-
ducted on a basis of the highest integrity, and the death of few men
outside the state would cause a feeling of such personal loss to Ne-
braska nurserymen and horticulturists.

NAD) Box:

Active life members, 282

Address, President’s, 256

Alpine strawberry, 238

Amelanchier alnifolia, 241
canadensis, var. oblongifolia, 241

Annual members, 285

Bee-bird, 113, 114
food-habits of, 113
Bees the friend of the horticulturist, 42
Beltzer, L. A., Remarks by, 16
Bessey, C. E.—Notes on the botany of
the strawberry, 237
Remarks by, 230, 235
Bwd, Butcher, 145
Cedar, 143, 144
Cherry, 144
day in our schools, 56
law of Nebraska, 164-166
Birds, as destroyers of weed seeds, 55,
83, 130
better known than other animals, 50
distribution of, 51
fond of joking, 52
food-habits of, 53, 54, 56
how numerous, 50, 53, 54
list of Nebraska, 57-163
migration of, 51
Nebraska as a home for, 57
nest building of, 52
numbers of insects destroyed by, 54
of Nebraska, 48
See special index, 167
plumage of, 52
remarks about, in general, 50-56
speed of flight, 51
their relation to horticulture, 50
their relation to other animals, 50
variation of, in size, 51
Gallinaceous, 78

Birds, Perching, 113
of prey, 84

Blackberries, 187, 192

Blackbird, Crow, 129, 130
food-habits of, 129, 130
Red-winged, 124, 125

Black raspberry, 246

Bluebirds, food-habits of, 161

Bob-white, 79, 80

Botany of the bush fruits, 241
strawberry, 237

Brown, A. J., Remarks by, 12, 232

Brown Thrush as an insect destroyer, 56
injuring apples, 56

Bruner, L.—Birds of Nebraska, 48

Buffalo berry, 242

Bush fruits, Botany of the, 241

By-Laws, 289

Canning of fruit, 203
Card, F. W.—Botany of the bush fruits,
241
Remarks by, 32, 235
Carrion Crow, nature of food, 85
Catbird, 154, 155
food-habits of, 156
injuring fruit, 156
Chilian strawberry, 239
Chinese raspberry, 244
Committees, Standing, 280
Common gooseberry, 252
Common or high blackberry, 248
Constitution, 287
Cowbird, 124, 125
parasitic habits of, 125
Crow, Common, 118, 122
food-habits of, 122, 123
Cuckoo, Black-billed, 104
Yellow-billed, 104
Cuckoos, caterpillar destroyers, 103

(293)

294

Cultivation, Advantages of thorough, 195

Cultivation versus seeding of orchards,
179

Currant and gooseberry family, 252

Currant, The, 194

Currants, 187

Cut-leaved blackberry, 251

Dewberry, 250

Districts, Fruit, 276

Dunlap, J. P.—The currant, 194
Dwarf juneberry, The, 197

East Central Nebraska report, 189
Eleagnus longipes, 242
Election of officers, 271
Emerson, R. A.—Observations in soil
moisture, 179
English Sparrow, 132
habits of, 133
injurious to fruit, 56, 133
to grapes, 133
Ethies of horticulture, 209
European black currant, 254
gooseberry, 253
raspberry, 245

Flicker, 106, 107, 111
food-habits of, 106, 111, 112
Flycatchers, food-habits of, 113

Fort, I, N.—Irrigation for garden and |

orchard in Nebraska, 224
Remarks by, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232,
233, 234
Fragaria, 237
americana, 238
californica, 239
canadensis, 239
chiloensis, 239
daltoniana, 239
grandiflora, 240
moschata, 240
nilgerrensis, 239
vesca, 238
virginiana, 240
virginiana-illinoensis, 240
Fruit districts, 276
Map of, 277
Fruit in Sarpy county, 193

INDEX.

Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry, 252

Galbraith, G. B.—The dwarf juneberry,
197

Garden currant, 254

Garden soil, observation as to cultiva-
tion, 181

Gooseberries, 187, 192

Goumi, 242

Grapes, 40, 187

Grebes, food-habits of, 57

Grouse, Sharp-tailed, 78

food-habits of, 78, 79

Growing small fruits, 21

Growing strawberries by irrigation, 17

Gulls, food-habits of, 59

Harris, W. R., Remarks by, 31
Harrison, C. S.—Ethies of horticulture,
209

Portrait, 207
Hartley, E. T., Remarks by, 16, 234
Hawks, food-habits of, 84, 85
Heath, H. E., Remarks by, 12, 190, 191
Hesser, W. J., Remarks by, 31

The raspberry, 28
Honorary annual members, 286
Horticulture, Ethics of, 209

Ingersoll, C. L., Obituary of, 290
Irrigation, Benefits of, 20
for garden and orchard in Nebraska,
224
Growing strawberries by, 17
Windmill for, 18

Japanese wineberry, 247
Jay, Blue, 118, 119, 121
food-habits of, 156
injuring apples, 156
Jenkins, W. F., Remarks by, 31, 229,
232
Summer fruits in Central Nebraska,
191
Jenkins, Mrs. W. F.—Home canning of
fruit, 203
Juneberry, 35, 187, 197, 241

Kelsey, H. T., Obituary of, 292

INDEX.

Large eastern strawberry, 240

Leonard, I. N.—Method of orchard
planting, 204

List of speakers and contributors, 279

Low blackberry, 250

Map of fruit districts, 277
Marketing berries, 30
Marshall, G. A.—East Central Nebraska
report, 189
Remarks by, 190, 191
Small fruits in Washington county,
36
McGeehon, R. D.—Growing small fruits,
21
Meadowlark, 124, 126
food-habits of, 124
Members of the Society, 282

Missouri, flowering, golden, or buffalo |

currant, 256
Mockingbird, 154, 155
Sandy, food-habits of, 156
Moisture table, 10

Native fruits, Neglected, 34

Neglected native fruits, 34

Notes on the botany of the strawberry,
237

Observations in soil moisture, 179
Officers and committees, 280
Officers, Election of, 271

Orchard planting, Leonard method of,
204

Orchard, Raspberries in, 29

Orioles, as insect destroyers, 56
injurious to fruit, 56

Owls, food-habits of, 84, 85

Pacific coast dewberry, 251
Paridz, 159

food-habits of, 159
Peach in Nebraska, 223
Pigeons, food-habits of, 83
Potatoes mulched versus cultivated, 181
Prairie Hen, 78, 81

food-habits of, 78, 79
Prairie strawberry, 240
Preparation of soil, 9

for strawberries, 13

295

President’s address, 256
Proceedings, 264
Summer meeting, 264
Winter meeting, 265
Profits of strawberry growing, 15
Purple flowering raspberry, 243

Quail, 78, 79, 80
food-habits of, 79, 80
value of, on farm, 79, 80

Raspberries, 28, 38, 186, 199
in orchard, 29
Raspberry and blackberry family, 242
Red-flowered currant, 254
Reed, D. U.—Advantages of thorough
cultivation, 195
Obituary, 290
Portrait, frontispiece
Report of Treasurer, 259
Reports—
Committee on Obituaries, 290

Committee on President’s Address,
271

Committee on Reports of Secretary
and Treasurer, 270
Committee on Revision of Premium
List, 274
Resolutions—
Acid vinegar, etc., 274
Amendments of Constitution and
By-Laws, 272
Douglas County Horticultural So-
ciety, 273
Farmers’ institute work, 275
Ribes, 252
americanum, 255
aureum, 256
var. chrysoccoccus, 256
grossularia, 253
nigrum, 254
oxyacanthoides, 252
rubrum, 254
sanguineum, 254
speciosum, 252
Richardson county report, 188
Robin, American, 162
as «an insect destroyer, 56, 163
food-habits of, 162, 163

296

Robin injuring apples, 56
Western, 163
Rubus, 243
canadensis, 250
var. invisus, 250
var. roribaccus, 250
cratzegifolius, 244
cuneifolius, 249
deliciosus, 243
idzeus, 245
laciniatus, 251
leucodermis, 247
millspaughi, 249
neglectus, 246
occidentalis, 246
odoratus, 243
parviflorus, 243
pheenicolasius, 247
spectabilis, 247
strigosus, 245
trivialis, 251
villosus, 248
var. albinus, 248
var. frondosus, 249
x eanadensis, 249
vitifolius, 251

Russell, J. M.—Peach in Nebraska, 223

Salmon berry, 243
of the Pacific coast, 247
Sanborn, E. E.—Fruit in Sarpy county,
193
Sand blackberry, 2419
Sarpy county, Fruit in, 193
Seeding versus cultivation of orchards,
179
Shepherdia argentea, 242
Shrikes, food-habits of, 145
Slayton, G. A.—Report from Richard-
son county, 188
Small fruits and the average farmer,
25
Small fruits and the average farmer, 25
Small fruits, Growing, 21
in Dodge county, 185
in Washington county, 36
Soil moisture, Observations in, 179
Solitaires, food-habits of, 161

INDEX,

Some notes on Nebraska birds, 48
Southern dewberry, 251
Speakers and contributors, List of, 279
Standing committees, 280
Stephens, E. F.—President’s address,
256
Remarks by, 230, 231
Stevenson, J. W.—Small fruits in Dodge
county, 185
Strawberries by irrigation, 17
Strawberries, 185, 199
Cultivation of, 14
Growing, by irrigation, 17
Success with, 12
Strawberry, Notes on the botany of the,
237
and raspberry, 199
Table of species of, 238
Varieties, 14
Success with strawberries, 12
Summer fruits in Central Nebraska, 191
Summer meeting, 264
Sunshine and cloudiness in Nebraska, 45
Swallows, food-habits of, 142
Swezey, G. D.—Sunshine and cloudiness
in Nebraska, 45

Table of species of strawberry, 238

Thimbleberry, 243

Thornless or mountain blackberry, 249

Thrushes, food-habits of, 161

Titus, G. N.—The strawberry and rasp-
berry, 199

Treasurer, Report of, 259

Tree cranberry, 241

Vireos, food-habits of, 146

Waders, peculiarities of, 52
Warblers, Wood, 147

food-habits of, 147, 148
Waxwings, food-habits of, 143
Whitcomb, E.—Bees the friend of the

horticulturist, 42

White blackberry, 248
Whitford, G. M., Remarks by, 190
Wilcox, L., Remarks by, 11, 234, 235
Wild black currant, 255
Wild red raspberry, 245

INDEX.

Wild Turkey, 78
food-habits of, 78, 79

Williams, L. O., Remarks by, 16, 17
Success with strawberries, 12

Wind-breaks as affecting soil moisture,
183

Windmill for irrigation, 18

Winter meeting, 265

Woodpecker, Red-headed, 106, 109, 110,
156

297

Woodpecker, injuries by, 55

injuring fruit, 110
Woodpeckers, food-habits of, 105, 106
Wrens, food-habits of, 154

Youngers, P., Jr. — Neglected native
fruits, 34
Preparation of soil, 9
Remarks by, 11
Treasurer’s report, 259

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