The sun., 1897-04-28

In speaRing Of the situation in Argentina and
Uruguay TO SuN reporter yesterday, Prof.
Bruner referred 10 a report on the subject made
recently by United States Consul ]. +. Bancroft,
at Bucnos Ayrcs, TO Major Henry L. Alvor Of the
Department OF Agriculture. The report said in
part:
ITO give an idea OF tho condition OF tho
agricultural prospects of the country result
Of this scourge, l may say that as late as the
middle OF November last, it would have been
) difficult 10 find here wel-informed person who
would place the quantity OF wheat for export
during the present year below 100000 tons.
On Dec. /, numbers believed that the quantity
would reach 100000 and possibly 100000
tons. Thrcshing began during tho latter
mouth and stll continues, and each
week brings a diminution in the estimates.
Many now place the figure at less than
100000 tons. The great shrinkage in the
prominent agricultural crops up the country is
due almost wholly TO the ravagcs Of the locusts.
They have practically eaten everything green
in the province of Centre Rios. The pasturage
is almost ruined and the agricultural outlook for
the next year is very discouragng. To a much less
extent, but proportionately TO as great degree
Of damage, the insect has injured agriculture in
the province Of Santa F6.
NiuSuos PiVSVuNo. " lub lchSt, q uiOSL
discouraging picture. The locusts have eaten
all the green grass. leaving the dead grass
standing. They have left nothing in the shape
otvegetation, with the exception of the alfalfa
which for some reason they do not seen to
relish. The only trees which have escaped
them are the 'Ombu,' which is indigenous, the
Eucalyptus and the 'Pasaiso,' a species Of
acacia. Everything else has been eaten and in
many instances sheep are dying from lack of
green pastnrage.
The danger can be appreciated" said Prof.
Bruner in commenting upon the report. when
one can comprehend that the increase of the
peppers IN little over year has been so great
wheat have been destroyed, to say nothing of
The damage that has been done to other crops.
The greatest injury rests in the fact that capital
lists will be extremely cautious in making invest
ments in these countries when 1t becomes gen
orally known that they are suffering from the
be materially decreased Both capital and ener-
getic foreigners are badly needed in Uruguay
and Argentina
The locust is of a peculiar species and. as far
es know. 1t was not known TO entomology be-
Iere its sudden appearance In South America.
IL Is nearly twice as large as the Rocky Noun
ain hopper, and its comparative capacity for
obstruction is commensurately greater. In
other respects it is similar as far can ascer-
habits its life. and its natural enemies I know
absolutely nothing. and I cannot recommend
any particular means OF discriminating them
until have become more familiar with them
as well as the general conditions OF the country
However. ! am inclined to believe that the
methods adopted in the West can be applied sue
cesstully in South America.
Inc most effective campaign can be made
,.sai asaiinst the hopper By encouraging its nat
not be killed in districts where the hoppers are
numerous. They will not exterminate the pests
out ou ihey are an extremely valuable ally and do
West we have combated the locusts success.
Gy iGiy In some localities by the cultivation OF a
Rall tI6I hesh h ny commonly known as the hopper
ms ny Is parasite OF the hoppers. and when
sSMarm .Sr attacks cloud of hoppers 1t is aston
these flies exist in South America am unable tn
ssay, but 1t would not be difficult matter to
nave q few thousand sent there and put them to
snaa lhey arc not useful however. in very dry
Il. Another weapon which has proved very
eaectiye % In the West is the growth OF fungus
IIoie. Renerally known as empussagrilli. This is
to .toopt the only natural disease which disturbs
he life OF the locust, and in comparative sense
Enown n"rss rosn,Issa han The plague Of India have
,.royea ras, during one season. The discovery Is
STitieuia5ly caitituly valuable. the empussi can be
rees and plantsin the hopperafflicted countries.
ssn,ina ana believe that It's effect viii be the
IA IN the very dry localities neither the tachin.
ises s OF the empussi can be used to great advan-
ocnst anu aac measures must be taken to kill the
ana, : =
N na and 4 they are not disturbed each egg
VII VII Undoubtedly hatch, and you can easily com,
prehend what a tremendous increase of locusts
y y then ae made possible For instance, II county
no senaa SeNasta.ea by locusts In one season, and
Insects the RSR Is conceived to combat tho
o. shoppers ahoppers will be hatched to deyastate sixty
nothine's Or me average Western State. II
honnamS y uohe me second year the increase of
for tbnr ~ The third year will make 1t possible
hn, tedh tt 70 ruin the agricultural interests of
South bne tnited united states. Hence tho danger in
"ib @Tb. america merle can be easily appreciated.
the sn o nus successful method OF destroying
he esss vo Is 10 plough them under so deeply that
10 isgua isSag cannot reach the surface. From 1873
tSirtS ., ms plan worked well In the drier dis
. until u ~ tne west; Another method Is to wait
them bnt tne Young have Matched and then kill
IA n aroN,re "c,ore lhey have reached maturity. This
! twentxnIp wentnpished by rigging fiat pan about
alIns ohe I, teet in length on small wheels, half
ibe n, ~ ~ Win water. covering the surface OF
nal th,cr ,hc win Kerosene. The pan has a cloth
tnndaGc dce OF four feet In height. This is slowly
4 youn, over me meadow or field and the
Gto Gti m mnoppers In jumping strike the cloth, fall
Efty nv ~, water, ana are killed by the kerosene
ilI,d Gr m ,slxty bushels OF hoppers have been
"Itaann,,nis an ms way in less than a day.
an oHhlo' Stale whether any OF these methods
tIs 1e yen Hsen In South America, but II they can
ahsdensk 81 eNierninating the locusts will be
plSn ng zen easier. The difficulty in conceiying
~ ah ih " calhIalgn is To make the warfare cost
, he,sS"nnn ne natural profit on the product and.
1 Ile"'' III" natural means are always prefer.