Morris tribune., 1908-10-03
GRASSHOPPER WARNING.
State Entomologist Urges Farmers
to Do Late Flowing this Year.


foresees a grasshopper plague next
year unless farmers take active mea-
sures now to prevent it, says the
Pioneer Press.
81 note that grasshoppers have
been troublesome this season from
the various complaints Ihave received
from many localities said he. "The
outlook for next summer is some
what alarming possibly, unless mea-
sures are taken this fall to prevent an
outbreak. I would therefore suggest
that the farmers who note grass
hoppers laying eggs this month, OF
early next month, in their land, should
not fail to plow as late as possible after
all eggs have been laid, thus turning
them under and preventing their is
suing next spring.
"It is not only necessary to ploW
the stubble, but other land not used,
should grasshoppers be seen egg
laying in sufficient abundance to war
rant it, for if not, though the careful
farmer should plow his own land, and
leave an infested piece of wild land,
or unused land, they would, of course,
come from that land upon his crops
next summer. Furthermore, all far
mers should cooperate in this, in a
vicinity, for should one farmer neg
lect it, he would be the means of in
Testing his neighbors with grass
hoppers next year.
'sGrasshoppers can be kept from
eating binding twine in the fall by
soaking ball of twine in the follow
ing solution, viz: Two pounds of blue
stone dissolved in IL gallons of water.
Soak for an hour and then dry
thoroughly. 1t must be remembered
that it is lard to dissolve blue stone
and it should therefore be placed in
water long time before the liquid is
to be used. Soaking balls of twine in
kerosene has also been suggested,
though we have not tried it.
"According to law passed by the
legislature in 1908 a farmer can be
made to plow land which is SO infested
with grasshoppers as to be menace
to other farmers as well as to himself.
Complaint of infested land should be
made TO the state entomologist or to
the board of county commissioners.
The entomologist examines the land,
and if the conditions justify it, he re-.
ports to that effect to the board of
county commissioners, who serve
notice upon the holder or lessee of
infested land, requesting him to plow
within certain time. If he fails to
do this, the county plows his land, and
if such plowlng benefits him materi-
ally in the raising of crops, the county
sues him to recover money thus ex-.
pended. Complaints of this kind
should be made in the fall.
eff plowing is not done in the late
fall it might be done with safety,
where possible, before the 4th or 5th
of May, which would be effective in
ordinary seasons.
ssThe state entomologist, where it is
absolutely necessary to assist farmers
against this pest, will either visit them
personally, or send an assistant. The
state enables him to help them also
in other ways in connection with
grasshoppers, where occasion de-
mands it,
In a later report, Mr.. Washburn
states:-
''The state press has, by copying
few exaggerated statements in some
papers, represented me as predicting
a grasshopper plague such as occurred
in the '70's in Minnesota for next
year. This is an exaggeration for /
have found here so far, doing damage
this season, only native forms and
have not seen any of the Rocky Noun
tain locust or gaasshopper. I do not
wish to alarm our farmers unneces-
sarily, but | sent warning to the
papers because the native forms have
been and can be, as we all know, very
destructive when occurring in large
numbers. They have this year done
great damage in Otter Tail, Norman,
Chicago, Sherburne, Wadena, Anoka,
Meeker and Stearns counties and have
been so exceeding numerous that
was afraid they would do more harm
next year"
Every piece Of plate glass in the