Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1891-07-02
GRASSHOPpERS.
We Have Got Them. Will They Get
Us?

| There is no question but that
| dangerous species Of grasshoppers
haveappeared in many places in this
county rs well as in the adjoining
counties and on the Dakota side.
Last week there were so many con
flicting reports as to their being the
genuine kind, but a letter from Otto
Lugger, the state entomologist, dis
pels that doubt. Whether they are
found in sufficient numbers to seri-
ously damage this years crop can
not be told yet. Wethink not. But
the fact that they are here is enough
to cause anxiety, and prompt meas
ures should be taken at once to eNter-
inmate them. An ounce of proven
ton is worth a pound OF cure. Ii
they should deposit their eggs here,
the country would be devastated by
them next year. Even if they should
| be carried away by the wind as soon
us their wings are grown, other To-
calities will suffer from their rava ges
through our neglect. The county
commissioners should meet at once
and organize the war. One consola-
ton is that the Red River Valley has
never been a congenial place for hops
pers. They have been here before
but did no damage and their stay
was OF short Duration
LATER Prof. Otto Lueger arriv-
ed in Warren this morning to inves-
tigate. The SHEAF reporter had a
a long interview with him and what
the Prof. don't know about bugs and
insects is not worth recording. He
said that three different species of
hoppers are found in our fields. The
most abundant is the two-striped
grasshopper, now mostly winged,
and badly infested with parasites
which either destroy them or rend-
er them incapable to reproduce.
The next abundant is the eastern
migratory grasshopper, whose ma
tive home is the White mountains
and from there they have scattered
to different parts OF the United States.
This is the dangerous species and is
more to be feared than the Rocky
Mountain hopper which livery much
resembles. This species will exist I'M
der different climatic conditions and
possesses great staying qualities.
About % per cent have already
wings. The third species is the ma
tive red-legged grlsshoppers, all
without wings. Mr.. Lugger says
that a swarm choppers passed over
this section OF thecountry Aug. 18th
last year from the north west going
in Il south easterly direction. The
greater portion OF these were drown
ed in Rice Lake in the White Earth
reservation, and by their decay such
a stencil was made that hunters were
unable to remain at the lake, Stray
glers from this swarm descended and
laid theis eggs i'll favorable localities
especially in stubble fields, producing
our present crop OF hoppers. The
task of discriminating them will be
an enormous one, unless aided by
favorable conditions. By the aid of
specially constructed machines of
sheet iron, called "hopper-dosers ,"
and the use of coal tar, it is possible
to reduce hcnumber Deep blowing
is the most effectual remedy, and Mr.
Lnsger explained the philosophy Of
that. The grasshoppers deposit
their eggs in the ground in a kind of
sac with an opening upwards and
when the eggs hatch in thespring the
young will crawl out through this
opening, the only exit they have.
BY deep blowing the little sacs con
tanning the eggs will be inverted, and
the young unable to reach the sur
face. is highly important there
fore that every inch of broken land
be plowed this fall. The eggs will be
laid toward the end OF July and dur
ing the month OF August. The pro
lessor said that the black potato
beetle, Which is said to be very
numerous this year, is, in the larva
state, great destroyer OF grasshop-
per eggs, and hence should not be
killed. OF two evils choose the less.
Mr. Lugger does not think the grass
hoppers will seriously harm this
years crop, but that the real danger
lies in their propagation next year
The Polk county authorities, under
the direction OF Mr. Lugger, have
commenced q war OF determination.
and it seems to us that something
ought to be done in this county.
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