The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-24
Experiment Station Issues Bull
Ietfn from Manhattan.
Alfalfa Being Damaged b.
Grasshoppsrs in the Fields.
THE NATIVE SPECIES
Not the Well known Migratory
Rocky Mountain Locust.
Two First Class Methods to Get
Rid of Them.

Manhattan, Kan, Aug. 24.-Numer-
Gus complaints now reaching the Kan
san experiment station, through cor
respondence from various counties IN
the alfalfa growing sections OF the
state show the destructive presence OF
Iocusts or grasshoppers in the helds OF
that important crop. and make timely
the publica ton of suggestions for the
repression of these insects 1t should
be stated at the outset that the locusts
that are responsible for the reported
damage are in no case the much dis
cussed migratory sorts, especially the
so-called Rocky Mountain locust, but
they are well known native species,
common throughout the Mississippi
valley as well as throughout the states
of the plains. They are found through
out their range wherever the herbage
is rank and vigorous. and mass in the
weeds and grass of the fence rows and
on the borders of cornfieldS everywhere.
Their particular destructiveness in the
alfalfa regions is due to the lack or
suitable pasturage for them in the sur
rounding unirrigated lands from which
they collect on the more acceptable
growth of hay fields
AS in these regions there are pract1c-
ally no natural checks to their increase
that may be regularly depended upon,
II is desirable at the present time TO
destroy them as far as possible, not
only TO limit their present depredationS,
but also to insure greater immunity
from future attacks by the destruction
of the breeding insects. They will soon
be busy in depoSiting eggs abundantly
IN the fields where they are now eating
the crop. and it is by all means desira-
BILE to kill them off before their next
step in their economy is accomplished
Two methods commend themselves to
farmers in the regions infested. One
nf he Of he
or catching pan. is recommended after
abundant practical experience with IT
by some of the western farmers. and is
by no means to be undervalued, espe
cially if employed on young locusts
soon after Matching, and before they
have spread widely from their hatch
ing grounds
At the present stage of growth of the
insects. however, the most practical
mode of destroying them is by the use
Of poisoned bats. scattered through the
fields where the locusts are most album
dant. One formula employed success
fully in some western localities is
modification of the we'll known bran
bait for plant-feeding insects in 9TH
er orders. and is as follows: 100 pounds
of bran. pounds of sugar and saltpeter.
then add the paris green and enough
water to moisten the bran we'll. but not
SO wet as to destroy its slight adhesive
ness and scatter the bait broadcast,
or deposit in small masses in places
where the locuSts are thickeSt.
As much cheaper mixture or bait,
IT is recommended that a thorough trial
be also made of a formula that has come
TO US from Manitoba, where it is said
TO have displaced the earlier mixtures.
1t is there called the Criddle mixture,
from the name of the inventor, and is
as follows: I part paris green. parts
salt, and 40 parts morse dung, by meas
ure. the whole to be we'll mixed with
water till soft. but not sloppy. and
scattered over the infested places. 1t
is said to have the merit of attracting
the insects for a considerable distance,
and while most effective when fresh. it
will retain its poisonous quality even
when several weeks old.