The Eureka Mirror

Winnipeg.- Wholesale destruction of insects and spectacular atmospheric disturbances during the next few years are predicted by amateur astronomers here. They base their prediction on the behavior of sun spots. Growing in size and intensity, the spots are being studied carefully by the astronomers. They are approaching what is known as a maximum sun-spot period, and as they grow larger they will begin to bring troubles and blessings in their wake, the astronomers claim. The maximum period will be in 1938 or 1939, according to A. B. Meggett, of Deer Lodge, one of the astronomers participating in the study. During the years leading up to that period, he says, the world may expect, among other things, a great increase in rain-storms and disruption of radio reception and telegraphic communication, and wholesale destruction of insects, including grasshoppers. The sun-spot period comes every eleven years, Meggett explains, and records kept since 1750 show that it has great influence on conditions on the earth. There are marked changes in the amount of sunlight, magnetic conditions, temperature, rainfall and atmospheric transparency, affecting all forms of life.