The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-09-29
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 20. 1876.
GRAsSI1OPPEIs PLAGUE.
Practical suGEesIEOns 40 Ihe
People OF I1he West by Gov.
RIIIsburY, Of Minnesota.
PROCLAMATION.


80, 1876.-The continuance and
increasing raVages of the locusts
or grAsshoppers in many of the
Territories and frontier States of
the Union have been deemed suE-
iiciently serious to warrant meet
ing OF the Governors of such
States and Territories for consul
tation, with a view to seek Con-
gressional aid, or otherwise to Sc
cure combined action in resistance
of the growing evil. Such con-
ference has been called to meet in
October. Meanwhile the widen
ing area of the YIsitations of
these insects in this State induces
me, without delay, to urge the
people whose interests are most
directly involved, to assemble in
public meeting in their several To-
calities, for the purpose of collec-
ting information, interchanging
views and devisving plans of con-
certed 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
the actual evil to be encountered,
it is believed, would result from
this course, while the hope of thus
attaining practical means of mu-
tual protection certainly justifies
a united effort on behalf of an
object common to the public well
fare.
It is the concurrent belief of all
who have given close attention to
the subject that it is practicable
10 destroy the pests in a great
measure and to insure q vast miti-
cation of tho worst results, by the
timely, concerted and persistent
efforts Of the several communities
directly concerned, and the en-
ployment of simple agencies read
lily available. To this end l have
taken pains to collect, from the
most reliable sources, informa-
tion of the several modes which
have been successfully employed,
which here detail for the con-
sideration Of all concerned, and /
earnestly invoke the united and
resolute action Of the people in q
manful defense against a common
enemy.
1. The crushing of the insects
by rollers 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 mac
tive condition they may be de-
stroyed in vast numbers. This is
the first and vital step toward
their destruction, and can be re-
sorted to Immediately, the insects
being in the condition named
from about the middle of August
variously until the approach of
cold weather.
2. 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 the m
from their cells or pods, which de
stroys their terminating power.
New breaking being a favorable
resort for such egg deposits, this
mode of destruction is readily
available in the ordinary course of
teamwork, for which purpose
these operations should be delay
ed to as late a period in the fall as
practicable.
B. Cooperative action for the
preservation Of the prairie grass
until the proper season for it's
burning in the spring, by means
ofextening fiIe-guards along town
ship boundaries or other large
areas, to be accomplished by
means of plowed strips or by
wide parallel burrows and the care
full 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 q We
ry etfectual means for their whole
sale destruction. 80.
A. The placing of loose straw
on or near the Matching places, in
to which the young insects gather
for protection from cold in early
spring, where they may be de-
stroyed by firing the straw at the
proper time. To this end straw
should be carefully saved, and not
needlessly destroyed at threshing
time.
b, The construction of deep,
narrow bitches, with deeper pits
at intervals, as q defense against
the approaching insects in their
infant condition. Into these the
young, when comparatively help.
less, accumulate in vast numbers
and perish. rr
q. The sowing grain in ''lands,'
or strips, fifty to one hundred feet
wide, leaving narrow, vacant spa
ces between, through which to run
deep burrows and construct ditch
es into which the young grass
hoppers may be driven and de-
stroyed.
z. The catching OF the insects
~ '0AAOoS CSoSCo, ohO CSPCSAolAJ
when young and comparatively in
active, by means heretofore EN-.
ployed. and by such improved in
struments and processes as expe-
rience may suggest.
8. And, finally, the driving of
the winged and matured enemy
from the ripening grain by pass
lag over it stretched ropes contin-
ually to and fro, aided by annoy
ing smoke from burning straw and
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 in disturbing the
pests and inducing their fight.
Let the common enemy be thus
fought at every stage Of his exist
tence and at every point of his at
tack. Each ope Of the modes
here prescribed will doubtless aid