Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-19

Orono. Me-, July 1S.-(SpecieI-The
following was issued today from the
Maine Agricultural experiment station,
DR.. c. D. Woods director, at the Uni
versity of Maine:
In certain localities young grasshop-
pers are abundant this spring. Crows
and blackbirds are enjoying them but
if they do not get them all, these pests
are likely to make trouble unless some
thing happens to kill them.
1t is quite possible to make some
thing happen to kill them" as success
full campaigns against grasshoppers in
western states have demonstrated from
time to time in seasons of dire distress.
The following suggestions are adapted
to Maine conditions by the Maine
Agricultural Experiment Station from
the records of one such battle printed
in the Journal or Economic En-
tomology as an account of grass hop
per control work in Kansas. AS the
same species (Melanoplus bivitattus
and NJ. atlanis) which wrought havoc
in Kansas are among our commonest
grasshoppers in Maine, there seems no
reason why the same remedies ap-
piled there should not prove equally
efficient here.
Formula:
Dian '''... -. 80. 49, ''.''' ~ ipS
FariS green... -. -. -. -. ~ Id
Syrup Common glucose SYRUP 2 OTIS
Oranges or lemons ...........3 fruits
water. ...... 80 gallons
Caution. Do not add water until the
DAY the mash is to be used)
Preparation and distribution:
Mix the bran and Paris green thor
oughly in wash tub while dry.
Squeeze the juice of the oranges or
remaining pulp and the peel to fine
bits and add them to the water. Dis
solve the syrup in the water and vet
the bran and poison with the mixture,
stirring at the same time so as to
oampen the mash thoroughly.
The bait when favored with oranges
or lemons was found to be not only
more attractive. but also more appetiz-
ing, and thus was eaten by more of the
grasshoppers.
The damp mash or bait should be
sown broadcast in the infested areas
early in the morning, or about the time
the grasshoppers are beginning to move
about from their nights rest. 1t
should be scattered in such a manner
as to cover five acres with the amount
Of bait made by using the quantities of
ingredients given in the above formula.
Since very little of the bran mash is
eaten after it becomes dry, scattering it
broadcast in the morning, and very
thinly, places it where the largest
number will find it in the shortest
time. Sowing it in this manner also
makes it impossible for birds; barnyard
fowls, or live stock to secure a suf-
ficient amount of the poison to kill
them. Inasmuch as the poisoned bait
does not act quickly, it will be from
two to four days before the grasshop-
pers are found dead. and these will be
more numerous in the sheltered places.
It does not require much of the poison
to kill them. Even a small portion
from one of the poisoned flakes will be
sufficient to cause death.
We quote directly from the account
of the Kansas work:
THE grasshoppers ate and so raveny
Gus We're they for the poisoned bait
that they even left their choicest green
food. In two days the poison had done
its work. Investigations and reports
from all over the country showed that
from 60 to 70 per cent of the grass
hoppers had been killed by the first