Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-02-15
GRASSHOPPERS.
Their Migration and Destruction of Agri-
cultural Products.

cultural Products.
The american Naturalist, in an ar
ticle detailing the routes of migration
and other matters relating to lOcusts,
says:
From the observations already col
lected, naturalists have adopted the
theory that the immediate cause of the
migration of the locust from its original
breeding place is the unusual abund-
ance of the species during certain years.
The locust, like most other insects, in
creases excessively in dry and warm sea-
SONS, and when, for two or more years
in succession, such seasons occur, the
conditions most favorable for its devel-
opment are secured. The secondary
cause of its migrations is the necessity
for food, which, by reason of super
abundance of the species in the places
of its origin, is quickly exhausted. After
once taking to the wing, the insect is at
the mercy of the winds, and is borne in
whatever direction they are blowing.
The general course of the winds in
the Western States and Territories
is from the west and northwest during
July and August, and accords with the
eastward course of the swarms of locusts
in those months.
As to the question whether meteorolo-
gists can predict the occurrence of sea
sons of undue heat and drought, and
consequently of the increased numbers
and migrations of the locust, it is be-
lieved that, in the lapse of years, this
will he possible. As the result of con-
tinued observations, it is also thought
that the destination and the time of ar
rival of the migratory hordes of locusts
may be foretold, and the direction OF
their return flight in the ensuing year.
The supposition is now ventured that
the June migrations from the eastern
limits of the locust-area will be toward
the northwest, and the July, August,
and early September migrations from
the Rocky mountain plateau will be in q
general easterly and southerly direction.
In summing up the losses sustained
in the United States from the ravages OF
insects, it is said that 1.-The annual ag-
ricultural products of this country, by
the last census, amounted in value to
3, SOC, 900, 900. OF this amount we IL
all probability annually lose over $780,.
600, 600 from attacks of injurious insects
alone. DIR. Riley AYERS that their losses
during 1874 in Missouri from locusts-
and it will be remembered only the west
ern third was invaded exceeding S15,'
000, 900. This would make the losses il
other parts of the West at least twice al
much more, or Si5, 100000 in all. The
estimated money loss occasioned by the
chinch- bug in Illinois in 1864 was ovel
S73, 900, 900; in Missouri in 1874, it il
estimated by DR.. Riley to have beer
S19, 000, 900. The annual losses from
the chinch-bug are greater, Mr.. Riley
says, than from any other insect TIL,
average annual loss to the cotton croI
from the attacks of the cotton army
worm alone is estimated at $4,000, 600
Adding to these the losses sustained b,
the attacks OF about 1000 othel
species OF insects which affec
our cereals, forage and fiel(
crops, fruit trees and shrubs, gar
den vegetables, shade and ornamental
trees, as well as our hard and pine for
ests, and stored fruits, and it will not b,
thought an exaggeration to put our an
nual losses at 800, 900, 900. If the PEG
PIC VI tiio cOuhtiH Wotuu oiiy iooh n
this annual depletion, this absolut,
waste, which drags her backward in the
race with the countries of the OLD
World, they might see the necessity o
taking effectual measures in restraining
the ravages of insects. With care ant
forethought, based on the observance o
facts by scientific men, we believe tina
from $50, 900, 900 to 800, 600, 600, or from
one-quarter to one-half of this annua
waste, could be saved to the country
And the practical, most efficient way il
for the States to cooperate with TIN
General Government in the employment
of salaried entomologists, who shout,
combine the results of the State officials
and issue weekly, or, if necessary, dali,
bulletins, perhaps in combination witt
the Weather-Signal Bureau, as to wha
enemies should be guarded against, an,
what preventive and remedial measures
should be used"