The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-06
minnesota Matters.
The Governor on the GrasshOpper Plague
PROCLAMATION.

oTATE OF MINNESOTA, EXEC. DEPT.,
ST. PAUL, August 80, 1876.
The continuance and increasing raw
ages of the locusts or grasshoppers in many
OF the Territories and frontier States OF the
Union, have been deemed sufficiently serious
to warrant a meeting of the governors of such
States and Territories for consultation, with a
view to seek Congressional aid. or otherwise
secure combined action in resistance of the
growing evil. Such conference has been
called to meet in October. Meanwhile the
widening area of the visitations of these in
sects in this State induces me without delay
to urge the people whose interests are most
ings in their several localities, for the DUR
pose of collecting information, interchanging
views and devising plans Of concerted action
for the destruction of the insects, and for a
common defense against their ravages. Both
the correction Of exaggerated reports and the
promotion Of an intelligent apprehension of
the actual evil to be encountered, it is be-
the hope OF thus attaining practical means
mutual protection certainly justifes united
and energetic effort in behalf of an object
common to the public welfare.
1t is the concurrent belief of all who have
given close attention to the subject that it is
praCLlCdDlc 10 OeSIiOy tllc pCStS Ill great
measure to ensure vast mitigation of the
worst results, by the timely, concerted and
persistent efforts of the several communities
directly concerned, and the employment o
simple agencies readily available. To this
end l have taken pains to collect from the
most reliable sources, information of the sew
eral modes which have been successfully en-
ployed, which here detail for the consid-
Grafton OF all concerned, and earnestly in
woke The united and resolute action OF the
people in mantul defense against common
enemy:
First. The crushing of the insects by roll
ers and other implements, and the catching
of them by bags and traps during the season
of population or mating, when by reason of
their stupid and inactive condition they may
be destroyed in vast numbers. This is the
first and vital step towards their destruction,
and can be resorted to Immediately, the in
sects being in the condition named from
about the middle of August variously until
the approach of cold weather.
Second. The blowing under deeply of the
eggs and the thorough narrowing Of the bare,
dry knobs and other comparatively small,
warm spots where the eggs are deposited, so
as to dislodge them from their cells or pods,
which destroys their terminating power.
New breaking being fayorite resort for such
lily available in the ordinary course OF farm
work, for which purpose these operations
s should be delayed till as late period in the
Third. Cooperative action tor the pres
ervation of the prairie grass until the proper
season Tor its burning in the spring, by means
OF extended fire"guards along township
boundaries or other large areas, to be accom-
plished by means of plowed strips or by wide
parallel burrows and the careful burning of
the intervening space. The burning of the
grass thus preserved, when filed with the
young grasshoppers in the spring, has been
found to be very efectual means for their
wholesale destruction.
Fourth. The placing of loose straw on or
near the Matching places, into which the
young insects gather for protection from the
cold in early spring, where they may be de-
stroyed by firing the straw at the proper time
10 this end straw should be carefully saved
and not needlessly destroyed at threshing
time.
Filth. The construction OF deep, narrow
bitches, with deeper pits at intervals as de-
tense against the approaching insects in their
infant condition. Into these the young when
comparatively helpless, accumulate in vast
numbers and perish.
Sixth: The sowing of grain in Glands, " or
strips, fifty to a hundred feet wide, leaving
narrow vacant spaces between through which
to run deep. burrows and construct bitches
into which the young grasshoppers may be
driven and destroyed
Seventh. The catching OF the insects at
various stages, and especially when young
lore employed, and by such improved instru-
ments and processes as experience may sug-
gest.
Eight. And, finally, the driving of the
winged and matured enemy from the ripen-
ing grain by passing overit stretched ropes con-
tinually to and fro, aided by annoying smoke
from burning straw or other smudges, and
by loud and discordant noises made by strik-
ing TIN vessels, and by shrieking and yelling
with the voice, which are said to aid III dis
turblng the pests and inducing their flight.
Let the common enemy be thus foug ht at
every stage OF hisexistence and at every point
of his attack. Each one of the modes here
prescribed will doubtless aid to reduce the
grand total OF the annual destruction, while
all OF them, faithfully pursued in succession,
together with other methods to be devised.
IT'S confidently believed will achieve substan-
tai exemption from loss to avert it's saddest
effects. But should all means fail there will
remain the consciousness OF having made
such helpful and assiduous attempts as de-
served success.
The danger of weakening the habit of self
reliance among the people, as we'll as the diff
tculty of reaching the most worthy recipients
Of public aid, renders the distribution Of seed
grain and other assistance heretofore extend
ca to the sufferers, of very questionable pol
icy; and l feel it my policy to warn all Der
sons against relying upon public aid Of this
character. Whatever action may be taken
by the next legislature or by Congress should
wisely contemplate future protection rather
than Indemnity for past losses, and if prac-
tlcable should discriminate in favor of such
as evince a disposition to help themselves.
At all events if aid or succor OF any kind or
from any quarter may reasonably be expect
ed, it will be both better deserved and better
employed after courageous and determined
efforts shall have been made for self-pro-
lection. J. s. P111sRuRy.
Governor.
TIE STATE TREASURY.
State Treasurer Pfaender has issued