The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-03-22
FARM siARsEBAnD HOUSEHOLD.
Scientific treatment of Grasshoop,pefrs.

Scientific Treatment of Grasshoppetrs.
1t was reported some two weeks ago
that Senator ingalls,, of Kansas, was
about to introduce a bill in the Senate
asking ,aa. appropriation ofS25,00O, and
the appointment of 9 Commission to as
certain Tie best means of destroying or
providing remedies against the ravages
Of the locnst or grasshopper. The $685.
900 was 10 be for salaries and to pay the
expenses Of FIVE learned entomologists, or
men of culture in the matter Of bugs.
Not having noticed any subsequent action
in the Senate or House in the matter, it
is probable that, in the excitement of
canvassing the Electoral vote, an unin-
tended slight has, been put, upon the
grasshopper. = =
1.-The; duty of the Commission, when Or
ganized on. a s25,000 cash basis, is in
tended to be to examine into the history
and habits of the insect. They are not
to be confined to the nomadic or grega-
rious caprices of the Kansas and Ne
braska hopper merely, but are expected
to make careful study of the. tastes and
temperament of the isolated insect as oc-
casionally found solemnly viewing the
romantic scenery of New England. This
is calculated to equalize the Investigation,
so far as she $25, 900 appropriation is con-
cerned. The Commission are. to have
power tt, send for persons and papers.
Whether the grasshopper will respond to
subpoena d,tces tecuna or not remains to
be seen.
Professor Packard has beenf for some
time past engaged in the Western Terri
tories, where the lively little insect most
does congregate, in collecting mass of
information concerning its migratory and
dietary habits, and thinks he';has sufi-
cient data to begin the construction of q
map44a grasshdpper' map :ofthe United
States-indicating in colors its distribu-
ton and migration. He has consulted
Professor Able, Of the Weather Signal
Bureau. They ,haye< Jointly. come to
these conclusion: 1. That there Is an in
innate connection between the prevailing
winds and their migration-that their
rigging is not adapted to sailing against
the wind, or,even- close hauled; and 2.
That their. periodical visits "coincided
with unusual seasons, and that there are
cycles of years recurring, favorable or
unfayora5le to insect life."
Therefore it will be possible to predict
their arrival and prepare for them. In
fact it is thought that the country may be
provided at a small expense with a Grass
hopper Dureau and o Grasshopper "Prob-
abilitiesp as well ais, q Weather Bureau
and a Weather Probabilities, and that
they may be of mutual assistance, thus
Utilizing the grasshopper as we'll as' some
of our supernumerary Professors. The
inability of the insect, as at present con-
stituted, TO sail against the wind, enables
ns, knowing its direction and velocity, to
calculate with reasonable certainty the
course and speed with which he will
travel. Preparations can be made at diff
ferent points to discourage and demoral-
ize him. Denunciatory resolutions could
be preparedato confront him, and his
favorite f5od supply'removed beyond his
reach or SO tampered with as to affect his
stomach detrimentally. -
If the fact of his advent could possibly
be known year or two in advance, the
farmer might circumvent him by omit
ting to plant his favorite food crops ssshch
as grindstoues, Canada thistles and rag
weed-haying laid in good store Of
these delicacies for family use year be.
forehand-- thus providing for year of
scarcity, q, did the ancient Egyptians.
We are aware there is prejudice
among certain class (the undeveloped
Berghs of society }ogainst anything. like
an organized conspiracy against the
peace and comfort of any species of: ami
NAL life-more especially where that con-
'spiracy has a s25,0O0 appropriation in
the belly of it. But it should be borne
in mind. that the grasshopper, of all the
beasts of the field or birds of the air, OF
insects'that infestboth earth and air, is
unreasonably and uniusti6ably prolific,
and lays himself openito strict applica-
ton of the Malthusian doctrine of self
preservation-even to the extent of $25,
900 and 6. crop of chronological pro:
fessors. = Cmcinad4i Star. Z 1@Ja q {