Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-27
GRASSHOPPERS.


ances Gircn That the Vest WiH Not BE
Visited by fhe Terrible ScoM,ye this Sea-
SON.
chronological commission, has left Wash
ington for the West. The annual report is
now in the hands of the printer. 1t will be
remembered that they were appointed last
March for the special object of investigating
the western grasshopper scourge, with
view of preventing its injuries and its disas-
trous invasions. A view of their field work.
and of synopsis of their forthcoming re-
port, submitted to the Secretary Of the In
terror, shows that they have been very indus
trious, and successful beyond their fondest
anticipations. During the summer they
have explored nearly every State and Ter
ritory between the Mississippi and the Pa
cifc. They have ascertained how to eff ect-
ually cope with the young insects, as they
appear in the more fertile Mississippi Valley
country That part of the problem is solved.
It is fully believed that, with wise dissent
nation of the report, the farmers of the
western country will, in the future, no more
dread these young insects than they will a
crop of weeds. AS to the flying insects, the
commission have ascertained the principal
laws governing their flights and point out
in their report how, by cooperation with the
Dominion government, the insect will be
kept down in its native breeding
grounds, and it's disastrous incursions
into the more fertile country, be thus
avoided. There is however, much yet to be
ascertained as to heinsects in their breeding
grounds, which are found to lie in the ex-
IRENE northwest, both south and north of
the boundary-hne. The time given during
the past season to the young insects, learn
ing how to best control them, and in encour-
aging the farmers, somewhat interfered with
a thorough exploration of these native breed
ing grounds. Indian troubles, want of time,
and want Of funds also prevented as thorough
survey of that portion of the field as is de-
sirable. The commission, therefore, APP
peared before the committee on appropria-
tions, and asked for an appropriation of
$4,000 to enable them to complete the in
vestigations so thoroughly that there will be
no need in the future of Congress creating
another commission for the same purpose.
The commission also pledge themselves, with
this appropriation, not only to complete this
special investigation, but to carry on a study
of the southern cotton-worm and other
southern insects, and make full report
thereon, with view of preventing the in
jury that they cause in the South.
The commission have had favorable
hearing from the joint committee on print
ing, and 10000 copies of the report, which
will embrace between 400 and 500 pages, will
probably be, ordered.
1t will 0gratifying to the people of the
West to know that the commission, in the
introduction to their report, confidently as
sert that there will be no damage by the
grasshoppers during the coming summer in
all the fertile country between the Mississippi
pi and the mountains; and that, probably,
no special injury will take place for several
years to come. This assurance, from men
who have carefully studied the question, who
give what seems to be sound reasons for
their opinion, will do much to inspire the
people of the West with confidence, and to
draw thither the immigration that the rava-
ges of the insect had somewhat checked
The commissioners think that considering
the vast area affected, embracing over 25O.-
600 square miles, it is gratifying to find that
such thorough work hos already been done:
and, when it is considered that, between the
years 1887, the loss from the rayages of the
grasshopper to the Western country amount
ed to about $2O0,OO0,OOO, and that the in
jury to the Southern cotton-crop from the
cotton worm is also very great, the demand
they make for small appropriation seems
very reasonable.
There are nineteen chapters in the report.
The first treats of the characters of the
species of grasshopper. The second gives
chronological history of grasshopper- injury
for all past years in this country,-showing
conclusively that there has not been an in
crease in the numbers of the insects, as
many people suppose, but that its greater
injury is dueto the settling-up Of the coun-
try. The third chapter gives statistics of
losses. There are two chapters on the nat
ural enemies of the grasshoppers, -illustrat-
ing quite number of new species hitherto
unknown to attack it. The stomachs of 100
birds in 600 specimens have been critically
examined, and the good services of these aids
is daily borne out by the Investigations A
number of experiments on the eggs, as to
the effect of frost and SO on upon them, are
recorded. chapter on remedies and de-
vices for destruction, which will be one of
the most extensive in the volume, shows
clearly how the young insects may be
mastered, and points the way of preventing
the destructive invasions from the North
west. The other chapters t1eat of every
other phase Of the subject, making an ex-
haustive work SO far as time and means
would permit, both from scientific and
practical standpoint. It will be carefully IL
Illustrated by means of wood-cuts, Autograph
ic plates, and maps.