The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1877-03-08
for the farmer.
BELIEF FROM THE GRAssHoPPkRs.

The conference recently held in Omaha to con-
slider the grasshopper problem, was attended by
Governor J. s. Pillsbnry and his private Secreta-
~ Pennock Pnsey, and Professor A. Whitman,
Of Minnesota; Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa;
Governor John L. Pennington, of Dakota Gov.
error c. A. Hardin and Professor c. " Riley, OF
Missouri Professor G. Thomas, of Illinois; who
represented Governor John L. Beverage Cover
nor Osborn, of Kansas; Governor Silas A. Gar
Der, Ex-Governor r. w. Furnas, Professors Will
Der and Williams of Nebraska.
From the reports Of the proceedings we give
few abstracts. The opening address was maze
by Governor Pillsbury, of Minnesota. who recon-
mended that the Governors of the States repre-,
scented should join in appealing to the Oenefai
Government for aid IN making war against TINS
great scourge of the West.
Governor Pennington thought that the cult-
walton of crops that mature early was advisable
The Iocusts come from as far north as the Brit
ish possessions. The evil was widespread, and
NO serious as to warrant an appeal to Congress
Governor Hardin thought the Department OF
Agriculture should gather information III regard
to it. He thought that he should make some
suggestions in Missouri, and perhaps appoint
commissioners to destroy the insects. 1t was
great evil, and it was almost a military duty tie
destroy them.
Professor c. V. Riley thought Congress should
urge organization, and furnish means to combine
and destroy the young insects In the Spring.
Through the Governors OF the States, bounty
might be offered per bushel for the eggs; this
should certainly be made. and the Governors
might appoint men of knowledge, this Winter,
to locate their breeding places, and take means
to destroy in the Spring. Ditching was the
most valuable means, and it should be carried
ont on q systematic scale. The unfledged insect
could not travel more than four or five miles dn-
ring its brief period of FIVE or six weeks. He
urged the steps suggested above to he taken this
Winter also to examine the ground in their ma
tive heath. The Nation owes il to the West to
&c info ttnn mt
comprehend the magnitude of this question.
The devastations of this plague are the most i'm
portant aud extensive in the country. He in
sisted, FIRST of all, that the settlers should not
leave the West by any means. The insect will
cease to trouble; it is not an annual plague
Governor Pillsbury's recommendations were
read to the conference BY Pennock Pussy, his
secretary. They are: First-Crushing by roll
ers, &C., and catching them by bags and traps
during mating, when by reason of their inactive
condition they may be destroyed. They are in
this condition from the middle Of August until
cold weather. Secopd-Plowing under deeply
of eggs, and thorough narrowing of bare. dry
knobs and other small warm spots where they
deposited, which destroy their terminating pow
er. New breaking being a favorite resort for
egg deposits, this is available in the ordinary
course of farm work, which should be delayed to
as late in the Fall as practicable. Third-Pre-
serving prairie grass till Spring. by means of fire
guards along the Township boundaries by plow-
ed strips or wide parallel burrows, and the care
full burning of the intervening spaces. The
burning of the grass with the young grasshop.
pers in the Spring. is o very efectual means Of
Wholesale destruction. Fourth-Placing loose
straw on or near the Matching places, into which
the young gather from the cold in early Spring,
where they may be destroyed by firing the straw.
To this end straw should be carefully saved.
Fifth-Tbe construction of deep, narrow bitches
with deeper pits at intervals, as defense against
the approaching young insects. In these they
accumulate in great numbers and perish. Sixth
Sowing of grain in Glands" or strips so 10 100
feet wide, leaving narrow, vacant spaces through
which to run deep burrows, and construct ditch
es into which the young are driven and destroy
ed.
The whole subject was discussed at length,
and a committee appointed to collect and issue
in pamphlet form information in regard to all
practical methods based upon observation and
experience, for destroying these locusts or grass
honnera