The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-08-14
%CRASSHOPPER
MENACE NEARS END
ON STATES FARMS
STATE COLLEGE ASSURES THAT
STATE is PAST WORST OF
THESE CROP PESTS
Campaign This Season is Great Sue
cess; Preparations Made for Next
Year Mean Still Greater Reduction
of Infection from These Hordes.

Assurance that Montana is "Over
h peak" of her crop trouble from
grasshOppers, that the graSshOpper
damage to the 1924 crop is, on the
whole, not serious, and that there
is every probability of still furth-
er reduction of grasshOpper infest-
alton next year, was given to the
agriculturdsts of Montana at Boze-
man recently by j. r. Parker, act
ing state entomOlogist, following
a conference with his field men at
the State College.
Although forced with serious infes-
tation at the beginning of the year,
the entomologists of the college had
taken the pains to learn of every
infested district in the state. A map
was made last winter showing re-
gions where egg masses had been
found in serious numbers. Early this
spring a vigorous campaign was car
ried on to start prompt control
measures in the dangerous spots. The
experience this year has proved the
map correct and control measures
that prevented serious crop damage
in practically every county Of the
state.
Before the poisoning campaign
started the state entomologist, Prof.
R. A.. Cooley of Montana State Col
lege, took up the mater with rail-
roads operating in Montana and OBJ
tanned a reduction of freight rates to
one-half for all grasshopper poison
ing supplies. This freight reduction
has resulted in q saving of thousands
of dollars to the Montana counties.
Counties were induced to prepare for
early campaigns, getting all supplies
on hand and mixing plants started
before the young hoppers had started
work in the spring.
Story Of Preparedness.
The story of the successful fight
against the grasshopper in Montana
1924 is a story Of preparedness.
Young hopers are easily controlled
with the poisoned bran mash, but
they reach the adult stage the
control becomes difficult. With every
district in the state known
the state enomologist's office and
material for poisoning cam
paigns on hand in every county early
In the season, the control for 1924
has been 30 complete that in no
county Of Montana has serious |
crop damage been reported from
srasshoppers on any large acreage.
One of the biggest and most sue
OF the county campaigns was
out in Pondera county, where
last spring proved that
farmers OF that county were
'aced with another bad grasshopper
II complete control measures
we're not adopted. This county had
mixing plant that could handle
900 pounds of poisoned bran mash
10 minutes, and cooperation Of
'armers was enlisted to cover the
'ntire crop district Of the county.
tax levy provided funds and
he bait was distributed free to all
armers. Pondera county, as the rel
ult OF its big campaign, changed a
dangerous situation into one of prac-
ical freedom from grasshopprs, and
rops in that county are returning
1elds that will pay many fold the
ost Of the campaign.
And the best part of the story told
MI. Parker and his assistants is
hat the cleanup which was suc-
essful this yea means that 1925
I'LL have even less grasshopper dan