The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1877-04-05
DR.. ]. W. Morris. Oninion Of transformers.

Henry, of Abilene, and which is pub
lished IN the Abilene Chronicle:
Many Of cur people arc INDUCING in
much speculation as 10 the probable
damage TO be inflicted by the grasshop-
pers this season. Having been resi-
dent of the territory scourged by these
pests in 1867 and 1874, have thought
it might be we'll 10 throw olt few
hints TO those living in that district
whore the grasshoppers have deposited
their eggs.
In 1866 the territory in which the
'boppcrs deposited eggs in large num-
bers extended as far east as the Missouri
river and westward rs miles. In 1874
the eastern boundary was 10 to 90 miles
cast of the Missouri river and extended
west nearly 100 miles. The deposit,
this season, on the line Of the Kansas
Pacific railway, extends from Topeka
on the east and westward 10 Ellsworth
county. In former years the infected
district was completely desolated on its
eastern border, while the destruction Of
vegetation decreased as you went west,
until it was scarcely noticed west of To-
peka. 1t is observable that the easlern
boundary of deposits last fall is nearly
where they ceased in 1874. 1t is true
that west o: this line there were many
oggs deposited and many 'boppers
Matched in The spring of 1874, but they
were comparatively few. Hence many
persons living in this district express
but little apprehension of danger from
their ravages this year.
/ wish 10 caution all such persons
against relying too much on their former
experience. The infected belt lies from
so 10 100 miles farther west than in
former seasons, and persons living
within that belt may rest assured that
unless the scourge is averted or modified
by "a vigorous, united or systematic CT
fort TO destroy the pests while young,
the whole district will be overrun by
theT-and particularly the eastern por
ton, where the eggs are numerous.
In 1875 the 'hoppe: s Matched out prin
cipally from the 18th TO the last of April.
In the southern part CT the state, and IN
warm sandy soil farther north, a ccnsid
cradle number Matched out last tai, and
during the warm weather IN February.
Most of these have been cstroyed.
However, the greater portion remain TO
be hatchcd, and wW hatch, notwithstand
ing all the reports about adding aid
freezing out.
In about three weeks after Matching,
and after the insects have attained about
one fourth TO one-third their full growth,
they commence q simultaneous move
ment in one direction-usually the same
course taken by the older ones in the
fall. They move IN solid phaanx, skip
ping from 10 to IL inches at hop, and
wall travel from 200 10 400 yards each
day, starting in the morning about 10
O'Clock and stopping TO teed about ,
o'clock. During the migratory season
they grow rapidly and cause great dcs
truction to vegetation, particularly dur
ing the last len days before flying. This
occurs from the 10th 10 the 10Th of June.
The most successful meansot destroy
ing these pests that mas been tried 20
tar consists in ditching after some sys-
tematic plan. 1t should be borne in
mind that the sooner after their hatch
ing you attempt their destruction the
easier il is TO accomplish AMI the less
damage they will do growing crops. In
cultivated fields, where they hatch out
in great numbers, by plow.ng two or
three burrows, throwing the dirt ont
each wey, you make "a trough which the
young 'hcppers find it difficult TO emerge
from, after making these troughs sulli
.centiy near the young 'hoppers can be
driven into them and rs they accumulate
they can be destroyed by drawing n
pole attached to single horse through
the burrows from time TO time. THIS is
quite an effective plan for the destruc-
ton of chinch bugs or very young hop.
pers.
Later in the season bitches may be dug
outside fields and along the line Of roads.
They should be dug Is TO 20 inches
deep and Is inches wide with perpendic-
ular sides. This will intercept and re-
tain all the 'hoppers that approach it
within the first week after they com
mence TO migrate. There should be a
hole dug in tho bottom of the ditch eve
ry two or three rods, at least one foot
deep to gather the 'boppers in, and when
nearly full, the holes can be filled with
dirt and another hole dug 10y the side OF
the first. After the iirstweek of
travel the 'hoppers become so
largo and strong that bitches
Will not hold them. There arc many
high dry points of land where eggs are
deposited in great numbers. By adopt
ing either Of the foregoing plans of
ditching around the points the entire
crop of 'hoppers can be harvested before
they reach the surrounding fields.
Burning prairies over where the grass
has not been burned will destroy vast
numbers of 'hoppers if parties will wait
until the 'hoppcrs are Matched out.
1t will be impossible to prevent their
ravages entirely and hence you will hear
many persons say it is useless to atteu pit
10 check them. The same course OF rea-
soning would excuse community
for not blowing. to kill weeds. The de-
post OF eggs in Saline and Dickinson is
not nearly so great as in counties further
east, and on this account there is greater
encouragement TO work 4 their Gcstruc-
ton. Let me urge you Ia meet together,
and agree with your read 'verscers on
81. a nur