The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-11-25
LOCUST PLAQUES.
Onslaught of the Ravenous Tribe
During an Invasion.
GLUTT0NS BY THE MILLIONS.

Dense Enough to Obscure the Light
Of tho sun--The Hoppers That Como
After the Crops Are Devoured.
There are several species or varietieg
of the migratory locust which are
mostly to be found in dry. semitropical
countries, such as the south of Eu-
rope, Egypt. Syria and Morocco, for
their native home seems to be In the
countries bordering on the Mediterra.
mean. though migratory locusts are to
be found In regions as remote as South
Africa and South America, where they
form veritable scourge to the agri-
culturists. In Argentina, especially
the northern half of the country. they
are very destructive, for they will an
initiate the farmers entire crop In a
few hours.
A locust invasion, writes John ID.
Leckie in Chambers Journal, is an
event not easily forgotten. The FIRST
sign Of the approaching incursion Ia
usually long. dark cloud low ON the
horizon. But the dark cloud Is no
forerunner of rain. Instead of the
precious liquid. which the farmer has
probably long expected in vain, 1t por.
tends the approach of his greatest en-.
emy, the omnivorous locust.
AS the dark cloud comes nearer 1t is
seen to be composed of countless mil
lions of locusts on whirrlng wings
Soon the cloud appears overhead and
is sufficiently thick to obscure the sun
which Is only seen opaquely. as
through mist, although the sky is
cloudless and the air clear.
Now we are in the midst of dense
swarm of flying. whirring locusts
which dash into our faces, enter our
houses and fill our rooms with their
presence! The air is simply alive with
them. All open wells must be instant
ly covered or they will be polluted.
Fowls and turkeys welcome the ad
vancing hordes. They simply fatten on
the iocusts as they run around and
gobble them up. But this Is no bless
ing TO the farmer-far from It, for the
flesh of poultry becomes so tainted by
this form of diet as to be quite un'
eatable. and even their eggs have an
unpleasant taste.
So well is this fact known that as
soon as the lOcusts make their appear
ance in the locality the price of eggs
former figure, and even then therv are
few buyers. All the animals about the
farmyard seem to be affected adverse
ly. for even the horses have strong
aversion to eat grass which has been
polluted by the presence Of locusts. and
unless very hungry they will not toucl
it,
The advance of the locustS takes
place as follows: First few pioneers
the advance guard of the vast army
then the main body of the army, Il h1s
which is as invincible as 1t is destruc
tive. All true locusts are migratory BY
nature, for the simple reason that. be
Ing greGarious in their habits. ii woult
be impossible for them to exist with
out continual migration.
The ground on which they settle Il
completely cleared in few hours. anC
they must perforce seek other fields
aud pastures new, where they can re
peat their depredations. For the sam,
reason the destruction which they eff
feet Is purely local. One district may b,
completely devastated. while another ,
few miles away is altogether spared
from their presence.
When the locusts have eaten thei
ell the fymales commence to deposi
their eggs, which they do by making
aa opening in the ground, in whicl
the eggs are laid. The infant locusti
soon make their appearance. scarcely
so large as n pea, hopping about IL
countless swarms. In this stage O.
their existence they have no wings
but progress by hopping. While IL
this state--that is, before their wings
are developed-they must be ruthless!y
destroyed.
Long trenches are dug. into whicl
the choppers" are driven by rows o.
men. women and boys armed will
branches of trees. with which the,
beat the ground, driving the insects IL
the direction of the trenches. On th'
opposite sides of the trenches sheets o
galvanized iron are placed upright 81
as to form an effectual barrier.
On arriving at the trenches the shop
pers" fall into them and cannot easil.
make their way out, especially as
their progress Is barred by the wall o.
galvanized iron In front of them, tn,
smooth surface of which affords then
no foothold.
The trenches are soon filled with mil
lions of young choppers" the weigh
of those above crushing to death th'
under strata of their fellows. Eartl
is then shoveled on the top of thu
seething mass of insects. and they ar,
thus smothered and killed.
This is the most effective method O
exterminating the locusts, but In orde
to Insure the success of the operation
It is necessary that the attempt shoulC
be properly organized and that all th
neighbors should act In concert
Providence Journal.
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