American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-07-31
HOW TO FIGHT GRASSHOPPERs.

Grasshoppers are appearing in con-
siderable numbers in many parts of
the state and are seriously threaten
ing the crops. These pests can be
successfully controlled if the follow
ing measures are promptly put into
practice by every farmer. Here again
cooperation with every farmer work
ing to control the grasshoppers, will
bring the best results. The recipe
recommended has been thoroughly
tried out by farmers the country over
and is cheap and efficient
Poison Bran Mash Bait.
This is very effective in grain fields,
pastures, orchards or in clover and al
falfa hay fields. For use in the latter
it should be applied Immediately after
the hay has been cut, before much new
foliage has started. The following
recipe is recommended: 20 pounds
of coarse bran, three finely grated lem
ons or oranges. one pound powdered
white arsenic or the same amount of
paris green, two quarts sugar factory
molasses, or other cheap melasses.
The bran and poison should be
thoroughly mixed while dry and then
the molasses and fruit juice, together
with finely grated rinds, must be add
ed to two gallons of water. This mix
ture may then be sprinkled gradually
over the bran, constant stirring insur-
ing a uniform mixture. Additional
water should be added to make a
crumbly, moist mash. Care must be
exercised that the mixture does not
become soggy, or else it will not SOW
we'll.
If this mixture is sOwn thinly in the
fields about 4 to o'clock in the after
noon the best results will be secured.
Some farmers SOW the poison bait
from the rear Of a buggy. The bait
must not be dropped in piles, for this
would be wasting the poison and
might endanger stock. The amount
given here is enough for from two to
three acres. Two to four applications
three or four days apart, will destroy
the majority of the grasshoppers.
Be Careful in Using Poison.
No not leave piles of mash where
stock OF chickens will eat it. Chick
ems must be kept out of the fields
where mash has been sown. All poi
son and bait must be kept where chill
dren or livestock cannot get to it
: Some people successfully use the or
dinary meat chopper ror grinding th'
lemons and oranges. Care should b.
used to secure a thorough mixing tina
it will be moist and attractive to th'
| grasshoppers. This mixture cost
about soc to 35c an acre.
) Fall Cultivation Pays.
- Much can be done to control grass
hoppers on our irrigated farms b.
thorough cultivation of roadsides
ditchbanks, fence rows. alfalfa field
l and waste places The female grass
d hoppers lay their eggs during lat
summer in the firm. dry soil Of tn
Y places mentioned. The followin
{ spring these eggs hatch and soon tn
young hoppers begin working havoc
n Thorough cultivation in the fall Q
u the places mentioned disturbs and de
u stroys the egg masses, and throw
e the eggs to the surface where they ar
r at the mercy of wind and sun fungi
It diseases and birds. incidentally
II some other insect pests, too, woul
n suffer by this treatment, to the benC
Y, fit Of the farmers crops. A spring
d tooth harrow or an alfalfa cultivato
rightly used in this way will great
W help to keep down the pests which /
u some years cause so much destruC
e ton. Fall cultivation is a practic
t. which should be more widely adopte'
sr H. W. Hochbaum, County Ager
Leader.
Y,