The Value Of The Toad

The Massachusetts Experiment Stadion snmmarizes the evidence in regard to the economie val ae of the toad as follovrs: FAVORABLE. 1. It feeds on worms, saails and sow bugs, comuioii greeehouse pests. 2. It devours a large number of rnyriapods which damage greenhouse and garden plants. 3. It feeds to some extent on grasshoppers and crickets. 4. It destroys large quantities of ants, insects often injurious and usually obnoxious. 5. It consumes a considerable quantity of May Beetles, Kbse chafers, "click beetles," potato beefles, cucuinber beetles and weevils, all more or less injurious to crops of various kinds. 6. It feeds on tent caterpillars, gypsy rnoths and otber fruit-tree pests. 7. It is a prime destróyer of cut worms and army worms, common pests which often cause great damage. UNFAVORABLE. 1. It destroys carabid beetles, insects of a highly beneficial character. 2. It devours an occasional chneumon and "lady bird," beneficial insects. 3. It feeds to a small extent ou spiders, generally considered to be valuas insect destroyers. 4. It devours carrion beetles, insects indirectly helpful to man. To recapitúlate, 11 per cent. of the toad's food is couiposed of insects and spiders beneficial or indirectly helpful to man ; 80 per cent. of insects and otlier anímala directly injurious to cultivated crops or in any other way obnoxious to man. Further coinment upon the valuable services of the toad would seem unnecessary.