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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 557, 5 March 1868, Page 3

Bieds in CuEEur-TRKLS.—Every one who grows cherry-trees has no doubt been vexed and disappointed to find that, just as his finest fruit becomes nearly ripe, it is devoured by hordes of different kinds of birds, foremost among them the dauntless cherry-bird. A “ new dodge” has, we are happy to say, been lately hit upon with most excellent effect. All you have to do to save your cherries is to get a good-sized stuffed hawk, and set it upon a pole overlooking the cherry-tree, just before the fruit becomes ripe; if your trees are numerous, or far apart, of course more than one will be required. It is amusing to see the consternation produced among the small birds on the first appearance of his hawkshio among them; they come up with thenusual effrontery, and then, suddenly getting a glimpse of their natural enemy, they wheel about and go off in double-quick time, and do not venture near again. Bv nutting up the hawks just as the fruit is colouring, and removing them after it has been gathered, you have the good services cf the birds in keeping down insects, and at the same time have not to pay for their work with all your cherries. A grateful gardener will of course leave some fruit on the ends of the boughs for the benefit of his little friends, and not expect them to labour entirely in vain. We can vouch for the success of this, as we have s en its good effect with our own eyes. Two hawks, costing a dollar a-picce, have saved this year about twenty dollars’ worth of fruit, and can of course be used again another year.—Canada Farmer.

Lessons in Language. —lt appears that, during his pilgrimage in Victoria, the fine classical taste of the Hon. Eliot Yorke, Equerry to Prince Alfred, was habitually wounded by the shocking mispronunciation of the English language by our colonial youth of every degree. So we learu from Mr Yorke’s reply, acknowledging the receipt of a copy of Hill’s “ Oratorical Trainer,” which had been forwarded to the Prince“ Toorak, Melbourne, sth Deo. 1867.—Sir, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated 30th November; and I am desired by his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh to thank you for the copy of the " Oratorical Trainer.” The book is an excellent one. and worthy of so necessary an object as that of exciting a .ovs for English literature and tMchine youth the proper pronunciation of their own tongue; the latter, I fear is much neglected in this colony. Your obedient servant, E. C. Yoeze, Equerry ia waiting.” No doubt cur colonial youth, their parents and teachers, will appreciate tbis exquisite compliment from so competent a critic ! Really it is too bad for Mr Hill to have so long delayed the publication of an epistle which shows how gracefully this accomplished gentlemen reciprocated the generous hospitality of the Victorian people. Fancy our Victorian youth receiving lessons in pronunciation from a silly fop, himself scarcely able to ** speak his own tongue” through ridiculous affectation.— xieader.