In 1884, the Cultivator and Country Gentleman published a short inquiry on how to keep pesky partridges out of the orchard. Apparently, that small entry received quite a response, and the Cultivator published some of the responses in the March 20 issue. But what's wrong with partridges in the orchard?
The Cultivator and Country Gentleman
February 21, 1884, Albany, NY
Vol. XLIX, No. 1621
Partridges. - How can I keep partridges out of my orchard near the wood? I have failed to do it with a gun. H. M. Searsmont, Me.
Can some of our readers tell us how to get rid of these intruders? – Ed.
The Cultivator and Country Gentleman
March 20, 1884, Albany, NY
Vol. XLIX, No. 1625
Partridges in Orchards.
- If your correspondent who, on page 167, wishes to know how to get rid of some few of the partridges which trouble him, will allow myself and friend to hunt on his grounds next fall, and give me directions to get to his place, I will ask no better sport. This is the first instance I have ever heard of partridges being a nuisance.
F. M. P. Madison, N. J.
- I notice in a recent issue that H. M. is very much concerned how to keep partridges out of his orchard, having failed to do so with a gun. If H. M. will lay his gun aside, and use his plow and harrow with half the energy and vim he seems to have used his gun, he will find that after thorough tillage the birds will soon disappear, as they never stay in fields except where they have a covering of plenty of filth and weeds.
R. L. N. Middletown, Del.
- A fox chained within sight and smell will keep partridges away; so will a couple of ferrets kept in separate cages, with open wires. In Canada I was overrun with poultry and pigeons on my premises. I got a female fox, tied her with a long chain, so as to give her a good run, and in three or four weeks she had captured quite a number of pigeons and poultry, which she buried. The rest kept away from my house entirely ever after.
WM. HORNE. Janesville. Wis.
- I saw on page 167 of your paper a question asked, how to keep partridges out of an orchard. Take some wheat and soak it in alcohol ; then clear a conspicuous place in the orchard, and scatter the wheat on it. The birds will partake of the bounty, and will become drunk, and when they become sober they will leave and never return.
L. V. R. Goshen, Ky.
We're thinkin' maybe Mr. Goshen got it wrong. Perhaps the birds would partake in the bounty, return, and never leave?
