New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1893-07-26
DESTRUCTIVE CHINCH BUGS
Prof. Lrgger Inspects Some Raided Fields
and Talks cfthe Remedy

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The Mankato Free Press says: We re-
ferred yesterday 20 the ravages of the
chinchbug in some portions Of the coun-
ty. The bugs seem to be the most num-
erous in the neighborhood Of Rapidan,
but are doing some damage in portions
of South Bend, and Decoria townships.
Unusual as it is, they are in the wooded
districts to some extent.
Prof. Otto Lugger, of St. Anthony
Park, the state entomologist, arrived in
the city yesterday to look over the af-
fected district and afford what relief
science and experience teaches. He went
out to Minneopa this morning and was
met there by Thos. w. Pugh, who drove
him oct into the section where the bugs
are numerous. He will go to St. Paul
this afternoon, and expects to return to
the city in few days, and if necessary
will make his headq quarters here while he
carries on a war of determination. He
stated to a FreePress reporter this morn
ing that there is no money provided by
the state at present for fighting the pest.
but that he would see Gov. Nelson and
present the matter to him.
Prof. Lugger brought in a small tin
box a quantity of bugs that had died of
the contagion which it is calculated to
introduce among the bugs in this coun-
ty. There was also quantity of spores
which form the disease. The professor
showed these to the reporter and explain
ed the disease. Said he: s.This scienti-
fic name of the spores that do the dead
ly work is entomophthora of chinch bugs
I discovered the disease five years ago.
You have noticed in the fall housetlies
sticking to a window pane. Their dis
ease works in the same way that that of
the chinch bug does. The spore is a
three-celled plant, and it developes best
in damp, warm weather, and later in the
season.
"The way operate is to first catch a
quart or two of healthy bugs and make
them predisposed to the disease. This
is done by putting them in tin vessel,
feeding them and keeping them moist.
then put into the vessel quantity of
the spores. In twenty-fcur hoars the
disease will break out. I let the bugs
and spores out in the infected district
and the spores float in the air and infect
the healthy bugs. In this weather the
spores die very rapidly, as it is we'll
known fact that sunlight is fatal to germs
of all kinds. The spores will now fly
around two feet from the diseased bug
and all in that radius are pretty sure to
he infected.
'You may think ite very hard matter
to scrapc up quart or two of bugs, but
[ assure you that where they are thick it
is very easy matter. I have seen them
covering the ground four feet thick, and
it is often that they are found six oreight
inches thick. The insect does not fy
now-you cannot make it -and this
makes it all easier matter to catch them.
AS long as they don't fly a ditch can be
dug around an intecttd field and coal oil
poured in, or other substance, which Kills
them as they attempt to cross the ditch.
The field can also be burned. It is good
plan to burn field and plow it under.
Later in the season the bugs will f1y and
then the entomophthora will work bet
ter. ,.
Give years ago, when first discov-
cred the disease, took a trip from St.
Paul to Crescent City, thence to Pipe
stone, thence to Mankato, then. back to
St. Paul. The distance is 400 miles and
GllC " WCdlllCIi vas ldtOTdDle, anu the O1S-
ease created remarkable havoc among
the bugs. I scattered the spores out Of
the car window as I rode along and they
spread for distance of 20 to 80 miles
wide, forming a band that wide and 400.
miles long. In two days every cinch.
bug in that territory was dead.
'sThe chinch bugs are all over the
southern part Of the state, and / found
them as far north as Lake Ve1million,
though what they live on there is a mys-
terry urless it be anticipation They de-
your all cereals and grasses and nothing:
else.
Near to Death.
Joseph jefferson, the veteran actor, IS
near death, and cancerous affection sc
the neck is the cause Of il. In NewYork
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