Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-04
The War on the Insects

"A WELL KNOWN scientist has been credited with the state
"A ment that were it not for the tendency of insects to war
upon each other, thus holding down their numbers, life on earth
would be impossible for the v~ertebrates. including us humans.
The United States department Of agriculture, keeping this
thought in mind, has been very busy for many years promoting
insect wars. Entomoogists have been engaged in a study of in
sect pests and their natural enemies, with the result that many
parasites, harmless to man, have been introduced. Thus, in many
instances, very injurious insects have in a large measure been
controlled.
Among the late accomplishments is the introduction Of a para
site that is preying upon the alfalfa weevil. This weevil has
caused great damage to the alfalfa crop in certain regions and
continues to spread, the department reports, but the imported
enemy is spreading at about the same rate and is successful in
keeping the weevil down in many localities.
The gypsy moth, which has done great damage in New Eng
means, including parasites brought from Europe, which are cred
tied with doing the most effective work. Parasites Of the Jap
anese beetle and the European corn borer also have been brought
The department maintains a laboratory in France where para
sites are being found and studied for future importation into the
United States when it is known Just what can be expected Of them.
We humans are unaware Of the great warfare that goes on
been introduced to fight a pest attacking US or our crops. Yet in
the insect world, more than anywhere else, the law Of the survival
ant colonies. The spider and the yellow jacket fight it out at
times. And within our own bodies there goes on continually the
state Of health tells US which side is winning.
The department of agriculture is doing a great work in pro-
noting agriculture and in no direction is it more beneficial than
in research.
Coolidge says he doesn't like pie. Yep, but he doesn't mind
distributing it. Do you, Cal?
Coolidge might succeed in popularizing common sense, if
the, supply was great enough to go round.
"Dinah," said the mistress, q hear you are married" "Yas-
sum, Ie got a good man now Does he provide for you all
llght?' Vas, he's a good provider, but Use skeered he's going
~ee gt eotched at it."
You can tell China is a republic. Three great leaders are try
ing to save her.
sWomen are really superior saws our cynical sheldahl suh-
scriber. mo man could chatter cheerfuly while kicking his
Aw1fe's shins under the table. "-Des Moines Register.
m. Detroit the other day a marriage license was issued to
Henry Plant and Marjorie House. No doubt the friends all
thought potted geraniums and ferns would be suitable wedding
tgifts.-Des Moines Register.
q A contemporary inquiries: rs the golden calf an American
tdealr' Shucks, no! The color Of the hose doesn't matter a
Eh0ot-Cincinnati Enquirer.
The japanese problem of what to do with our increasing pop
ulation' will doubtless solve itself as the automobile comes into
chine knows what it's Observation-Disclosures Dispatch.
Our typewriter almost invariably makes it Washington in
stead Of Washington, and we've almost concluded that the ma
chine knows whot its about-Columbus Dispatch.