File:American forestry (1910-1923) (17526016943).jpg

Title: American forestry
Identifier: americanforestry231917amer (find matches)
Year: 1910-1923 (1910s)
Authors: American Forestry Association
Subjects: Forests and forestry
Publisher: Washington, D. C. : American Forestry Association
Contributing Library: The LuEsther T Mertz Library, the New York Botanical Garden
Digitizing Sponsor: The LuEsther T Mertz Library, the New York Botanical Garden

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These snakes were swamp sni
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Photograph bv courtesy New York Zoological Society. AFTER A GOOn MEAL This shows a young king snake that has just eaten two sparrows, shown against the paper, and illustrates the economic value of snakes. _ During the hunts snakes captured would disgorge recently eaten food. Disgorged mice showed plainly their value right in the field. Such an instance was shown to a farmer who had told a group of hunters to take every hiamed snake off the place. His views chnnged suddenly. SOME HIGHLY PLEASED HUNTERS caught on the hrst hunt of the season and among them were DeKay's garter, ike and many others. The hunters were very proud of their "bag." ger of ))oisoiious snake bite. Until a person is able to immediately distinguish and name a snake, and know whether it is dangerous or not, that person has no riglil to kill any snake. Every time a snake is killed more damage is being done than good. I will not go into detail regarding the very interesting life histories ot snakes, facts it will repay anyone to investigate, but wili briefly mention the Reptile Study Society ana the work it is trying to perform. Founded a number of years ago by Allen Samuel Williams, scientist, author and lecturer, and now organ- ized in many states, the Reptile Study Society is actively pushing an educational campaign to save the snakes. Practically all the leading zoologists are members, and the roster includes the names of many women. Juveniles form the class to which the most urgent appeal is being made. Hundreds of youngsters are being re.iched through the Y. M. C. A. and Scout organizations and the like. Energies are directed to correcting false popu- lar beliefs. Field meetings and hunts have been found the best medium. The boys, expertly guided and carefully watched, catch their own specimens. Fear is overcome by handling and explanation ; proper catching methods are illustrated. Dangerous snakes are exhibited and studied; the treatment for poison bites is demonstrated. The boys are not allowed to handle these snakes and are warned regarding them. The catching and handling brings a jjsychological conditio!!, heroics, ii!to the scheme and hel):is to make evei-y bov a protector of snakes. The captured speci- i!!eiis are exhibited ai!d many peoi)le are reached through the!ii. This may not appear as a large field for service, but the good being done is surprising. The Ditiuars Club—boys of the Newark. N. J., Y. M. C. A.—has been very active. Two hunts, both well

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