The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-07-02
GRASSHOPPERS ON
LATAH COUNTY FARMS
PESTS THAT ARE DESTROYING
100 ACRES OF WHEAT A DAY
IN OREGON ARE HERE

Grasshoppers have begun to make
their appearance in certain portions
of Latah county where they were in
large numbers last year. The eggs
had been laid last fall and are now
Matching. Millions of the hoppers
have been found in small areas. Old
stackyards, where straw stacks have
rotted, scab lands and sod are the
favorite places for depositing the
eggs.
So far as reported no damage has
been done, but the farm bureau and
farmers generally are watching the
hoppers closely and putting out poi
son upon their first appearance. The
poison bait used has been very sue
cessful in destroying the pests.
E. j. Armbruster, an extensive
farmer with farms in several parts
of Latah county, had an experience
which shows the efficiency of the
bait used and the success that at
tends prompt treatment when the
young hoppers first appear. Mr..
Armbruster has a ranch on the Little
Potlatch near Linnville. Grasshop-
pers made their appearance there on
a small tract of scab land. "There
were millions of them on probably
half an acre of land" said Mr.. Arm
bruster, who secured the assistance
and advice of 0. S. Fletcher, county
agent, and poison bait was put out.
'In three days there we're very few
grass hoppers to be seen alive, al
though the ground was covered with
dead ones, and after the second feed
Of poison had been put out we could
not find live grass hopper. be-
lieve that prompt work in putting out
the poison bait just as soon as the
hoppers appear, will do the work"
said Mr.. Armbruster.
County Agent Fletcher has issued
a statement to farmers giveing the
formula of poison bait used and urg-
ing that they use it promptly upon
the first appearance of hoppers or
call upon him for assistance. In
some sections Of Idaho heavy damage
has been done by the grasshoppers
this year and last year several sec
tions of the state suffered heavy
losses by their ravages.
Following is the letter containing
The formula and instructions for mix
ng and scattering it, sent out by Mr..
Fletcher, who wishes to give it the
widest publicity with a view to get
ing it before the farmers in the
Palouse country before the grass
1oppers do any further damage. The
etter follows: 4
Formula For Poisoning.
Mix thoroughly 20 to 25 pounds
Try bran with one pound Paris
Green, or with one pound white ar
,enic. Note: If arsenic is used, be
sure to get white arsenic and not lead
arsenate.
Next prepare a lemonade from six
inely ground lemons, one and one |
laf gallons. water, and one quart |
heap black strap molasses or some |
trong smelling, cheap syrup. Mix |
his lemonade thoroughly
After the mixtures have been !
made, moisten as much Of the pois-
med bran as you are going to use
With some of the lemonade. The bran /
hould be dampened just enought to
i've each particle a strong, sweet
dor and to hold the poison to the
ran. Do not prepare wet, soggy
nash. When prepared the bait should
e crumbly so as to broadcast easily
y hand, just as in seeding grass
eed
The bait should be scattered late
n the evening or early in the morn
1g. The poison should be scattered
yer every mound or place where the
oung hoppers are Matching or just
tarting to move. It will be neces
airy to poison over any one infested
~ L.
nd will not ordinarily all be killed
y one application. Bait should be
repaired fresh at each poisoning, as
lie hoppers will not be attracted by ;
sale bait. II
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