The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-19
Locust Harvest in Argentina
from the Chicago Chronicle-l

IL LDAA the 0AALa5O &AACAAIAI-1
Down in the Argentine Republic,
where the merry locust sings his n
a harvester has been contrived to gath
er IN the insects There are at least
three reasons why the device is excel
lent It ices the work. it is cheap and
the dead Iocusts are converted into fer
tilizing material which has a CONNER
cIaI value.
4 large oblCng. covered wooden box,
upon 10 or Z feet high. pre-
senIs a wide aperture in front through
which the insects are TO enter
ing to this is an inclined plane termed
trampoIiu1- wide at the end resting up
up the ground inc gradually narrowing
toward the upper end, protected on each
side by zinc meets about p inches high,
over which it is impossible for the
young locusts TO escape From these
side pieces extend other barriers Of the
same height AID about $50 feet long.
each of which is set up edgeWiSe and
when in use SO secured at uch distau-
ceS apart at the outer extremiti6S as to
afford a wide entrance to the Iocusts
The SWarms OF insects are driven tow
ard his incIosure and readily ascend
the trampolin, which is painted green
Ghe color of the foliagel. into the box
which is then closed until another swarm
is collected and driven in, two men be-
ing required for this work.
The apparatus for destroying the To-
Gusts is a roller sustaining a cylinder Of
iron similar IN form to a coffee mill or
roaster. The cylinder Is covered with
knives extended obIiquely and revoIves
between high side pieces which almost
tOuch 1t at their lower extremities n
is revolved by a crank This machine
is ttached to the back of the box con
tanning the imprisoned Iocusts, which
are allowed to drop into it, when they
are cut to pieces After this the re-
mains Of the insects are dried and sold
Tor rertllIzing purposes. there being a
| constant emand in Europe for this
material. rich in nitrogen
An easier method OF destroying Iocusts
has been discovered. according to reports
which come from Cape Colony. south At
RIGA In 1885 the lOcusts in that cart 81
the world appear to nave been almost de-
stroyed by an epidemic and in-vesrfgatfons
| carried on by N s. Evans seemed To
prove c~Ouclusively that the disease was
the result of feeding upon a fungus
growth now known as locust fungus.
and that a few insects affected with the
malay might communicate il TO millions
| OF Others After repeated experiments
IN the archaeological institute at era
I Jamestown. Cape Colony. a pure culture Is
said TO have been btained from the To-
| Gust fungus and the insects died tina
were brought in contact with IT at the in
\ stitute.
In 1887 experiments were carried on on 2
large scale Immense warns Of locusrs
persisted after the infection Of severa.
Individuals in each group It was alse
found that the best results were obtained
curing the periods OF rain, when the To-
Gusts remain longer in one place. anl
me spread OF the injection was thus fac
Inflated In dry weather the flight Of rhs
insects Is more rapid. and the sick one.
being left behind there IS less chance fol
the spread of the disease The baeterioI
og1cal institute now sends OUT the cuI
rurs from the locust fungus with direc
tons for its use in tubes. which may b
conveys Loo miles or more
A national commission Of the Argentin,
Republic several years ago investigates
all plans ana means for arrestiug tn.
| plague OF locusts and finally hit upon 4
bounty plan for lOeusts and their egg
destroyed In six months see. 900 was paid
out in paper currency for 2G.00O.00G pound!
Of insects and eggs Though this Quau
THY seems enormous. yet II is uothius
compared with the immeuse sWarms ang
prodigIOus quantities Of eggs that still
were to be seen And il appeared tina
the a&lunt Of money paid out in bountie.
Woulc foot up more than all the damagl
done by the pests