The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-10

OF i"galized voters. But it is obvious that be-.
sides bring liable to abuse such procedure.
IN the event OF CLOSELY contested election
might lead to serious trouble. solicit yonr
due consideration OF q matter requiring law
full regulation ,' - ? -'''
M, CHRISTOPHER QUESTION. .,=l
The extended and increasing destructive
ness OF the Iocusts or grasshoppers is a mat
ter OF portentious and vital concern for the in
terests Of agriculture. With constantly en- , :
croaching ARA, these insects now occupy more
or less OF the vast region lying between the
hlisslsGlppl river and the Rocky mountains -
o., Hudson's Bay and the gulf of Mexico.
! nhey invaded no less than sixteen States and
territories during the past year, including.
inoeed, seven States lying east OF the Missis
slpp. Their mysterious habits, the CELEBRITY
ana evasive nature OF their flights, their in
conceivable numbers, the illimitat,le theatre
ior their lncur,lons and their Unsuitable rapac-
! lty, combine to render them a national scoilr0e
winch demands national remedy. Against
such an enemy, indeed, whilei may be doubt
iul whether any human agency may avail. it
is certain that unless speedily checked. moth
ing less than the combined power ingenuity
and resources OF State and Nation can be sue.
cesstul. In our own State, while there was
less complete devastation in any single local.
lty III 1876 than in some prior years, the raw
ages OF the insects were more widespread
ana Ihelr eggs deposited in greater inereas-
ed area.
Deeply impressed with the gravity of the
situation, applied myself to the collection
o! Information and to the study of the sub
]ect, by which was led 10 two principal con-
cluslons,-hrst, that 80 far as concerns the in
sects Matching out in our own soil, it is en-
t!rely practicable, by assailing them at every
stage OF Their existence, from embryo to ma
turlty, to SO tar exterminatc them and guard
against their attacks, as to secure substantial
exemption from their ravages; second, that
against the tull-fedged swarms which. un
heralded, swoop down upon us from abroad.
IN such myriads as to defy human reckoning
imam, with al! his resources, can but stand
helpless and aghast. Acting promptly. mir
suant to my first conclusion, / embodied in
the form OF proclamation information of the
several expedients which had been found
most successful and practicable, and which |
mad obtained by correspondence and DE rsonal
consultation and observation, and caused the
same ga TO be extensively circulated through the
otate, !er the information OF those most di-
rect!y Interested. That the effect produced
was salutary, chiefly by the suggestion OF a
practica! defence, and thus by awakening
new hope among the sufferers received graf,
lying assurances from various Quarters in
our own and other States. With reference to
my second conclusion, convinced of the fi1-
tlllty OF isolated effort, sought to enlist a
tomblned and simultaneous movement on
the part of all the suffering States and Terri
tories, and with this view | invited to q per
sonal conference their several Governors az
well as scientific and practical men interested
4. the subject, in the hope that by the solec-
ioa OF information and thorough inter-
change OF views concert of action might be
secured Tor the enlistment of both State and
national aid in 1urtherance of the end desired
Favorable responses having been obtained the
conference took place at Omaha. Nebraska
Oh the 25th and Goth days OF October last. md
IN point OF attendance, in the interest and in
formation ELECTED, the remedies suggested
ana the harmonious action secured, proved
success beyond my expectations. liz journal
OF proceedings together with it's several modes
OF acton and its practical recommendations
VIII ~ De seen IN printed pamphlet which
will be laid before you To this publica.
tlon and It's various suggestions and recon-
m M l ask your respectful. attention.
Inc action it cont mplates to secure
congressional aid has already been taken
Pursuant to the luther action OF TIE
conference urging cooperative State legisla-
ton, and in view of the facts already ELECTED
and the promise of the practical results to
which they point, feel warranted in recon-
nendlng the passage ct a carefully prepared
"a" 1or the payment OF hounties for the collec,
Won and destruction of locust eggs BY the l..
ion or bushel and for the catching of The
young insects, with rewards to be graded to
their age and size, the expense to Be amor
toned and borne equally by the State and by
the several counties and townships immedi-
ately concerned. To aid in the preparation
o. GU; law OF this character various recommen-
cations relative to the bounties to be offered
ana other practical details may be found in
the pamphlet referred to. In perfoting the
details OF such bill discrimination should
De made, ifpracticable, in favor OF such coun-
ties and townships as by reason of the success
elve devastation already sustained, are too
impoverished 10 support their share of the
revision Of the present game laws in order to
forbid the wholesale destruction Of such birds
as render valuable assistance by feeding upon
eggs and insects; and suggest that town
shlps De authorized to tax themselves for the
construction of extended protective bitches
ana o! IRE guards against the untimely de-
ssructlon OF prairie grass to the end that the
Young insects which seek its protection may
De destroyed by its seasonabe burning. al.
SO ASK you to enquire whether it might not ne
advisable to offer reward for the invention of
the cheapest and most efectual machine for
catching the unf1edged insects, to be awarded
ny q commission of experiencedm men. more
over direct your attention to the recommen-
aauon OF the conference respecting an exam
nation or survey Of the State $50 ascertain
)Ess those portions of each county in which
the eggs are most thiclly laid - with view
TO proper preparation for threatened injury
ana thorough organization Tor intelligent CO.
operation. For this and other purposes it will
be observed the conference Recommended the
appointment OF commission to visit the sew
eral Localities and report the result of their
observations; but 1t occurs to me that this ser.