Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-09-07
Minnesota Matters.
The Governor On the Grasshopper Pla4u
PROCLAMATION.

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 delaA
to urge the people whose interests are most
directly involved, to assemble in public meet
ings in their several localities, for the puT-
pose Of collecting information, interchauging
views and devising plans of concerted action
for the destruction Of the insects, and tor .
common defense against their ravageS. 10Th
the correction Of exaggerated reports and the
promotion Of an intelligent apprehension OF
the actual evil to be encountered, it is BE-
lieved, would result from this course, while
the hope OF thus attaining practical means
mutual protection certainly. jnstifes = united
and 4Se eS5t Sc IN nes9e OF an
1t is the concurrent belief of all who have
given close attention to the subject that it is
practicable to destroy the pests in great
measure to ensure vast mitigation OF the
worst results, by the timely, concerted and
persistent efforts of the several communities
simple agencies readily available: To this
end 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 tho
people in maniul 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 oy reason OF
be destroyed in vast numbers. This Is the
first and vital step towards their destruction,
and can he 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 plowing under deeply OF the
eggs and the thorough narrowing Of the bare,
dry knolls and other comparatively small,
warm spots where the eggs are deposited, 80
as to dislodge them from their cells or pods,
which destroys their terminating power.
New breaking being q fayorite resort TOR such
egg deposits this mode Of destruction is read
lily available in the ordinary course OF farm
work, for which purpose these operations
should he delayed till as late period in the
| TALL as practicable.
Third. Cooperative action :cr 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 f1rrows and the careful burning of
| the intervening space. The burning OF the
grass thus preserved, when filed with the
young gr1sshoppers in the spring mas t%s; 6een
| wholesale destruction.
| Fourth. The placing Of loose straw on or
| near the Matching places, into which the
young insects gather tor protection from the
cold in early spring, where they may be de-
stroyed by firing the straw at the proper time time;
| and not needlessly destroyed at threshing
! time.
| Fifth The construction OF deep, narrow
bitches, with deeper pits at intervals as de-
fense against the approrching insects in their
infant condition. Into these the young when
numbers and perish.
Sixth. The sowing of grain in Glands, " or
strips, fifty to hundred feet wide, leaving
narrow vacant spaces between through which
to run deep burrows and construct bitches
into which s6 the young sr'sshoppers may be
Seventh. The catching OF the insects at
various stages, and especially when young
and comparatively inactive, by means hereto
fore 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 strlk
! ing tin vessels, and by shrieking and yelling
| WIFI Cuc VOICE, WulCI4 dIc S0AU W 0AN AZ uAS
turbing the pests and inducing their fight.
Let the common enemy be thus fought .
every stage OF his existence and at every p0in
of his attack. Each one of the modes her
7 prescribed will doubtless aid to reduce tn
grand total OF the annual destruction, whil
, all of them, faithfully pursued in succession
together with other methods to be devised
it IS confidently believed will achieve substan
tial exemption from loss to avert its saddles
effects. But should all means fail there viii
, remain the consciousness OF having mad
, 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
3 ficulty of reaching the most worthy recipients
of public aid, renders the distribution Of seee
grain and other assistance heretofore extend
ed to the sufferers, of very questionable pol
l icy; and teel it my policy to warn all per
5 sons against relying upon public aid OF thi
:. character. whatever action may he takel
n by the next legislature or by Congress shoult
y wisely contemplate future protection .rathe
than Indemnity tor past losses, and II prac
ticable should discriminate in favor OF sucl
as evince disposition to help themselves
At all events if aid or succor Of any kind 0
from any quarter may reasonably be expect
ed, it will be both better deserved and bette
! employed after courageous and determined
g efforts shall have been made for self-pro
. lection J. S. PnLsBURY,
Governor.