The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-04-29
Hopper Funds.

Hopper Funds.
Minnesota is impatiently waiting for
federal funds with which to carry on
its program of combating the grass
hopper menace. The time is drawing
near when money to carry on the
work must be obtained if a condition
as serious as that of 1881 is to be
averted.
MinneSota'S congressman are whole
heartedly supporting the grasshopper
control appropriation fund and at
tempting to push it through. The fund,
as introduced into the senate calls for
S1,450,000 for combating the hoppers
in the middle and northwest. OF this
sum Minnesota will need about $150,000
Forty counties of the state are or
ganized and only waiting for poison
and bait. Each has grasshopper crews
Materials to fight the hopper poison
and bran) must be purchased through
the competitive bidding system and that
takes time and makes it imperative that
funds are ready at once.
In an effort to rush the federal ap-
preparation, this department urged IL
state farm chiefs last week to demand
that their congressman get on the job.
Reports from Washington indicate that
the graSshopper may be refused be-
cause of economy. This would mean
disaster to the farmers in western
Minnesota.
A theory has been going the rounds
in VIC chipot0Y, RI tho affaot thot 81
soil in the northwest this year has
eradicated the threat of another grass
hopper invasion. This is unfounded
A. G. RuggleS, state entomologist, has
made complete survey in his organi-
cation work about the state and re-
ports the eggs to be in "diStreSSingly
excellent condition" Only period of
cold rains during the Matching season
would deter the invasion.
Grasshopper eggs are laid several
inches under the soil usually in spots
bordering fields and not under cultiva-
ton. These eggs are encaSed in cement
like capsules and unaffected by wet
weather. The moist soil theory is only
a excuse advanced by those not in
favor OF the appropriation.
Poison and bait should be out in the
fields within month after the hoppers
have been Matched. The moment funds
are available and materials purchased
they will be distributed throughout the
state.
Last year in the worst infested areas
80 per cent of the crop was destroyed
by the pests. The same will be true
this year and in addition eggs will be
laid for 1888 invasion unless action
is taken at once. If the menace is not
stopped this spring it will mean millions
of dollars in crop loss. Economy which
would permit such situation is not
economy at all.
This department will extend every
effort and use every influence to obtain
federal funds for this worthy cause
We hope that when you read this that
congress will have made the funds
available.
Lawn Seed Hint.
One of our seed inspectors recently
noticed a lot of seed labeled Lawn
Mixture" offered for sale in North
field store. He became suspicious when
he noticed there were no labels on the
bags listing the kinds of seeds in the
mixture. Accordingly he took sample
of the lot to the state seed testing
laboratory.
This is what an analysis revealed the
lot as containing: Timothy, rs per
cent; Red Glover, per cent; chaff, etc.,
125 per cent; other crop seeds, 5 per
cent; weed seeds, l per cent. Among
the Is kinds of weed seeds found there
were 8 quack grass seeds per pound
of mixture, small crab grass and other
lawn pests. It is common knowledge
that quack grass is very damaging and
quick spreading weed and dangerous to
any lawn, field or garden.
Timothy and Red Glover never were,
are not now and never will be lawn
making grasses. In fact they are the
reverse; they are a detriment in a
lawn.
Kentucky blue grass, White Clover,
Red-Top, Rye Grass, Meadow Fescue
and few others are the basis for
establishing a smooth, well matted
lawn. Eventually the first two will
constitute the whole sward
If you wish to reSeed or make
lawn, we suggest that you purchase
the pure seed and mix them at home.
Pure Milk Drive.
The statewide pure milk investigation
being conducted in Minnesota hospitals,
schools and institutions is fast nearing
completion.
Samples of the milk served in in
situations in st. Paul have been
gathered and analysed, several towns
in the Twin City area have been
visited and at present inspectors are at
work In Minneapolis.
The investigation has been extremely
revealing and, in the opinion of Ted
Arens, assistant agriculture, dairy and
food commissioner in charge of the
drive, is lone of the most interesting
activities of the department in the
last half year"
number of violations of the state
pure food law have come to light. The