New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-06-19

AS to the Southern limit, the commission lacked
data for determining this line satisfactorily. All
is that the l0custs have been known tofRio Granda
at Eagle Pass, and to penetrate mile and halfin
Texas as far the settlements have extended; that
they have penetrated New Mexico onthe northeast
far as Las Vegas and Fort Union and have passed
down in the mountain region from Colorado to Taos,
Probably the most important chapter in the book
Is that on sremedes and devices for Instruction"
The means to be employed for the destruction of1o
to the five divisions: First of natur-
al agencies secondly, destruction of eggs thirdly,
destruction of the young and unfedged insects;
fOurthy, destruction of the mature or winged in
sect; filthy, preventative measures The means
suggested for the destruction of the eggs are first
narrowing in autumn. This during dry, mild
weather has been found to be one of the most eec-
tive modes Of destroying the eggs and preventing
further injuries. The commission suggests that it
be enforced by law. "A revolving harrow, or Guilt
method is BY blowing, thus burrying the eggs SO
far below the surface to prevent their Matching.
The third is irrigation Where this is practised and
the ground is light and pourous. prolonged and
excessive moisture will cause most of the eggs to
perish, and irrigation in the autumn has been found
very beneficial The fourth plan is tramping. Many
of the eggs may be destroyed in pastures or fields
where hogs, cattle or horses can be confined, when
the ground is not frozen. The fifth is collecting.
In cases where neither of the means already sug-
gested are available the commission recommends
the collection and destruction Of the eggs and sug
gests that the State authorities should offer in
ducement for this work Every bushel of eggs de-
stroyed is equivalent toa hundred acres of corn
saved.
The methods suggested for the destruction ofthe
young or unfeged locusts are, first, by burning,
which may be done by scattering over or around
the fields old straw or hay, in heaps windows,
into which the Ocusts, sometime after they hatch,
may be driven and burned. Crushing can be done
by means Of various methods, but can only be adj
vantageously accomplished where the ground is
smooth and hard. The commission describes
great number of crushing machines and illustrates
the subject by numerous engravings Trapping
can be done by the use of nets or seines of long
strips of muslin calico similar materials, made
after the manner quail nets 1t is also accomplished
by digging pits and hole and by the use of coal tar
or coal oil, in pans. These pans are pushed over
the fields, and as they disturb the locursts they
jump into the tar or oil and are thus destroyed.
For catching or bagging there are innumerable
scTihea nnd ii1nstratei Nv the commission. The
commission has little faith in the application to the
plant or insect of any chemical mixture, fluid or
because nothing will more quickly and thoroughly
kill them than coal oil; secondly, because OF the
impractiCablty of using any such application on
the extensive scale that would be necessary. The
commission also suggests the protection Of fruit
trees by whiteWashing their trunks or by surround
ing them with narrow strips of batting The de-
struction of winged insects, the commission says,
is impossible, but several means Of disturbing them
and driving them away are suggested. AS ameans
of protection against the of the ocusts the
commission recommends diversified agriculture,
legislation, the protection and encouragement of
increase of increase of native locust feeding birds,
the introduction of foreign locust feeding BIRDS In
ducements offered to the indians to collect and de-
stroy the eggs and young; the destroying of
or young by making the greatest possible use by
artificial means of the natural water supply; burn
ing the young in spring time and diyerting the
winged swarms by smoke.
The commission says that nothing is to be feared.
from these insects after the first year in the tempo,
rary region. The insects which are Matched in this
region cause great destruction before they take,
wing but after that they invariably take their fight
toward their original home IN the permanent breed
ing grounds. They however do not usually reach.
the end Of their journey They become infected with
parasites and diseased during their stay in the tenn
porary region, and perish on their way-D1sPATcH.