The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1913-07-25
1.-THE Grasshopper Shall be Burden. !"

1.-THE Of8S80OPpSI 0OA1l DC 6uT0en.
Back in Sunny Kansas, where the
sunAower blooms" and various other
things happen occasionally, the grass
hopper has arisen in his might and is
making his influence felt after his own
peculiar fashion. and newspaper re-
ports assure US that that influence is
not to be despised. So serious has
the invasion become in some sections
that special men have been detailed
by the State Agricultural college to
assist the farmers in their fight
against the pest. In one section
grasshopper day was proclaimed on
which the whole countryside turned
out to engage in the warfare; but it
is reported that in spite of the efforts
being put forth to exterminate the
hoppers, entire fields are being dew
astated.
We sympathise with those Kansas
farmers as much as we have time for.
but a good many of us have similar
troubles of our own, for in various
parts of the county the same pest
has appeared in sufficient strength to
be serious menace to growing crops
Letters have come to this Office ask
ing for information regarding the
control Of the pest and I have been
on a number of farms where the hop
pers were doing considerable damage.
In view of the fact that we may ex-
pect a second brood that will appear
soon a few notes regarding some of
the remedies that have been tried may
be useful.
The most satisfactory remedy
seems to be a poison bait, made ac-
cording to the following formula:
With 20 pounds of dry bran is mix
ed one pound of Paris green or white
arsenic. This mixture is moistened
with three and oneIhalf gallons of
water to which has been added one
half gallon of cheap syrup and the
juice and finely chopped pulp and
peal OF three or four oranges or LEM
ons. The bait is then scattered broad
cast over the infested field early in
the morning, the amount given being
sufficient for FIVE acres.
Poison sprays have been used but
are not generally recommended In
one case where the hoppers attacked
young apple trees lime whitewash
as thick as the sprayer would throw
was tried and reported as being very
helpful and perfectly harmless. am
not in position to recommend this
personally but it might be worth
trial where other remedies do not
give results.
Hopper dosers" are useful in cases
where they can be used. The best
form, If the hoppers are not too nu-
merous, is good big flock of tur-
keys. Another form consists of
shallow pan that may be 8x2H feet by
5 inches in depth, mounted on sled
runners with 3-ft. screen attached
to the back side The pan, which is
better divided into two foot COM
partments, is nearly filled with water
upon which a little kerosene is pour
ed, and dragged across the field. By
means of the screen large numbers
of hoppers may be induced to enter
the water and oil bath which is quick
ly fatal
For few days after emerging from
the eggs the young hoppers may be
quite easily driven into traos. where
they can be destroyed. After the
fective. In the Philippines the ma
nves have custom of capturing the
adult insects with nets and roasting
them tor purposes of their own. This
means is very effective as far a it
goes.
The female hoppers deposit their
eggs in the ground, usually in bare or
nncultivated fields. Wherever it is
possible to stir the ground in such
places with discs or plows The eggs
may be largely destroyed and the
succeeding brood greatly diminished.
H. A. IRELAND.
County Agricultural Agent.