Daily Globe

THE FESTIVE HOPPER.

From this general breeding-ground the locust is distributed in all directions. The eastern limit of its range is marked by the commission by the following line: "From the southern end of Lake Winnipeg, by way of Lake of the Woods to Pierce county, Wisconsin; thence directly south to Poweshiek county, Iowa; then southwest to Worth county, Missouri; then south through Montgomery county, Arkansas, to Houston, Texas, curving westward from this point to Live Oak county, Texas."

In Manitoba the eastern and also the northern limit, corresponds very closely with the timber line. Generally the northernmost limit of distribution extends to Fort Pitt, in latitude 53 degrees 40 minutes, and the general northern limit of the range of C. Spretus, which is the most troublesome species of the locust, extends nearly to the southern limits of the forests which lie partly upon the fifty-third parallel, but in a greater part between longitude 104 degrees and 114 degrees and above the projected route of the Canadian Pacific railroad. It is probable that other species range north of these limits, but it is not probable that the spretus ranges beyond the line of coniferous trees lying along the north shore of the northern branch of the Saskatchewan river.

The extreme western limit of the distribution of these locusts is the eastern flank of the Cascade range in Oregon and Washington Territories, and the Sierra Nevada mountains, though in many parts of the country they do not reach a point so far west.

As to the southern limit, the commission lacked data for confirming the line satisfactorily. All that its members are able to say in reference to it is that the locusts have been known to cross the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass, and to penetrate a mile and a half into Mexico; that they have been observed in western Texas as far as the settlements have extended; that they have penetrated New Mexico on the northeast as far as Las Vegas and Fort Union, and have passed down in the mountain region from Colorado to Texas, and possibly further south.

Probably the most important chapter in the book is that on 'remedies and devices for destruction.' The means to be employed for the destruction of locusts, the commission says, very naturally falls into five divisions, first, encouragement of natural agencies; secondly, destruction of the eggs; thirdly, destruction of the young or unfledged insects; fourthly, destruction of the mature or winged insects; fifthly, preventive measures. The means suggested for the destruction of the eggs are, first, harrowing in the autumn. This, during dry, mild weather, has been found to be one of the most effective means of destroying the eggs and preventing further injury. The commission suggests that it be enforced by law. A revolving harrow, or cultivator, is recommended for this work. The second method is by plowing, thus burying the eggs so far below the surface as to prevent their hatching. The third is irrigation. Where this is practiced and the ground is light and porous, prolonged and excessive moisture will cause most of the eggs to perish, and irrigation in the autumn has been found very beneficial. The fourth plan is tramping. Many of the eggs may be destroyed in pastures or fields where hogs, cattle or horses can be confined, when the ground is not frozen. In cases where neither of the means already suggested are available the commission recommends the collection and destruction of the eggs, and suggests that the State authorities should offer some inducement for this work. Every bushel of eggs destroyed is equivalent to a hundred acres of corn saved.

The methods suggested for the destruction of the young or unfledged locusts, are, first, by burning, which may be done by scattering over or around the fields old straw or hay, in heaps or windrows, into which the locusts, sometime after they hatch, may be driven and burned. Crushing can be done by various machines, but can only be advantageously accomplished where the ground is smooth and hard. The commission describes a great number of crushing machines, and illustrates the subject by numerous engravings. Trapping can be done by the use of nets or seines of long strips of muslin, calico or similar materials, made after the manner of quail nets. It is also accomplished by digging pits and holes, and by the use of coal tar or coal oil in pans. These pans are pushed over the fields, and as they disturb the locusts they jump into the tar or oil and are thus destroyed. For catching or bagging these are innumerable mechanical contrivances, several of which are described and illustrated by the commission. The commission has little faith in the application to the plant or insect of any chemical mixture, fluid or powder, as a means of destroying the insects; first, because nothing will more quickly and thoroughly kill them than coal oil; secondly, because of the impracticability of using any such application on the extensive scale that would be necessary. The commission also suggests the protection of fruit trees by whitewashing their trunks or by surrounding them with narrow strips of batting.

The destruction of winged insects, the commission says, is impossible, but several means of disturbing them and driving them away are suggested.

As a means of protection against the ravages of the locusts the commission recommends diversified agriculture, legislation, the protection and encouragement of increase of native locust-feeding birds, the introduction of foreign locust-feeding birds, inducements offered to the Indians to collect and destroy the eggs and young; the destroying of the eggs or young by making the greatest possible use by artificial means of the natural water supply; burning the young in spring, and diverting the winged swarms by smoke.

The commission says that nothing is to be feared from these insects after the first year in the temporary region. The insects which are hatched in this region cause great destruction before they take wing, but after that they invariably take their flight toward their original home in the permanent breeding grounds. They, however, do not usually reach the end of their journey. They become infected with parasites and diseased during their stay in the temporary region, and perish on the way.