The Carbon County chronicle. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1924, 1924-08-13

the 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
agriculturists of Montana at Boze-
man recently by j. II. Parker, act
ing state entomoIogist, 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 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 reduction of freight rates to
one-half for all grasshopper poison
ing supplies. This freight reduction
has resulted in a 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
in 1924 is a story of preparedness.
Young hopers are easily controlled
with the poisoned bran mash, but
once they reach the adult stage the
control becomes difficult. With every
infested district in the state known
to the state enomologists office and
with material for poisoning cam
paigns on hand in every county early
In the season, the control for 1924
has been so complete that in no
single county of Montana has serious
crop damage been reported from
grasshoppers on any large acreage.
One of the biggest and most sue
cessful of the county campaigns was
carried out in Pondera county, where
infestation last spring proved that
he 70 Of Ia&
faced with another bad grasshopper
year II complete control measures
we're not adopted. This county had
a mixing plant that could handle
1000 pounds of poisoned bran mash
I'm Is minutes, and cooperation of
farmers was enlisted to cover the
entire crop district OF the county.
County tax levy provided funds and
the bait was distributed free to all
farmers. Pondera county, as the re-
suit of its big campaign, changed
dangerous situation into one of prac-
teal freedom from grasshopprs, and
crops in that county are returning
yields that will pay many fold the
cost OF the campaign.
And the best part of the story told
by Mr.. Parker and his assistants is
that the cleanup" which was sue
cessful this year means that 1925
will have even less grasshopper dan
ger. Fewer grasshoppers will lay eggs
this fall and there will be less young
hoppers to handle in control meas
ures next spring The year 1925
should be proof of the claim of the
entomologists that vigorous cam
paign one year is better than half
hearted measures over a series OF
years.
Centenniars Experience.
This experience is found in the
Centennial valley of Beaverhead
county. In 1920 and 1921 this dis
trict had severe grasshopper damage.
Farmers and county officials were
not convinced that poisoning would
pay. But money was raised and ex-
perts went into the field. They soon
found they did not have enough
funds TO complete the control meas
ures. They appealed for more funds
but there was still skepticism. Then
they took county officials and lead.
ing farmers over the areas that had
been treated with bait 1t took only
a short time TO convince every one
that the campaign was a success
Money was raised to finish the worl
and this valley. as result has haC
no outbreak of grasshoppers sine,
1921, although other regions of tbs
state suffered in 1922 and 1928.
The entomologists have had hell
this year from the sarcophagid fly
the avenging nemesis of the grass
hopper family. This fly, sometime
called the flesh fly, lays its livini
maggot on the side Of the grasshop
per and the maggot entrenches itsel
in the 'hopper's body and doe
effective work. Many hoppers killei
by this fly have been found in field
visited by the entomologists this year
Another help that spelled thou
sands of dollars of value to Montana
crops this year was the cold sna
that followed the warm days OF Eel
ruary and March caught many youn
hoppers that had Matched in tn
warm days. Cold weather caused
lowered vitality for them and wa
favorable to a fungus growth tha
killed many of them.
The grasshopper outbreak in Nor
tana has obtained some unwelcom
comment in the past three or fou
years and Montana farmers and bus
ness men are receiving with WELDON
the news that the 1924 damage
negligible and that there are pro