The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-11-12

amount not being known. However,
the savings plus the losses for that year
would amount probably to around "a
half million dollars. Comparing the
two infestations-$500,O 900 with s. $780,
Goethe 1873 percent increase in loss
can be explained partially on the same
basis; that of increased crop acreage
in proximity to crickets.
That the campaign was well worth
of the total saving with the total cost.
Against a total cost of $436, 1871 AZ, more
than five and one-half million dollars
worth of crops were saved from the
invading boards of crickets. In break
ing down the expenditures it is found
that local funds amounted to $81, 154.22,
federal operating, agencies accounted
amounted to 1882, 075.2O.
paign in Montana considerable guam
titles of materials were used. Included
were 495 tons of mixed dust, 1850 bar
rels of oil, 1875 miles of oil barrier, 1T
miles Of furrow barrier, 81 miles of tin
barrier, and I'll tons of poison bait. I.
Many different means of control were
used during the campaign. Most gener-
ally used and most effective was the
standard sodium arsenite dust. This
"do dpp1ICu ny "OIhcIS Will Ild1lu Su1lo
and in some cases by motorized busters.
Where the terrain is sufficiently level
for their use, the motorized busters
a effectively cover a wide area with
big reductions in labor cost, DR.. Mills
said.
Poison bait was used and burners
were employed effectively in localized
areas but were not efficient in cover
ing extensive acreages. Three types of
barrier were effective: metal barriers
protected thousands of acres and de-
riers, with sodium arSenite' in them,
were used considerably and were par
TALLY successful; and oil barriers were
employed extensively in the vicinity of
the irrigated areas. OF all types of
barriers the oil barrier is the most eff
~fective, DR.. Mills said.
1898 Campaign Suggestions
The number of workers employed
varied during the campaign. Starting
out with 81, May 1, the number of
workers was increased until LAST we're
month. The number was decreased con-
siderably about the middle of June
and then increased to slightly more
than a thousand during the last of that
month and the fore part of July. From
the last of July, through August and
early September the humble OF work.
ers tapered off as the campaign came
to a close.
In his summary DR.. Mills makes a
number of suggestions for a campaign
to be carried on next year. He bases
these on experience gained during the
1887 control operations.
First he points out that it is doubt
full if a single county in the state is
without some cricket population this
fall and, if Matching of cricket eggs is
successful, a larger area will be in
volved next year.
In a poll of counties taken this fall,
many more have indicated that they
desire to enter a campaign in 1888 than
took part in the operations during the
past season.
DR.. Mills emphasizes the fact that
financial assistance other than local
and county contributions will be much
too small to cope with next years prob
lem if the crickets hold ven their
present position. There is NJ assur-
ance that the 100000 remaining from
the past seasons work will be avail
able next spring. The federal insect
fund appropriated by the last congress
is largely depleted and if an additional