220 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



The Red-backed Cutworm is the caterpillar of a brown moth (Carneades ochro- 

 g aster) about an inch long when the wings are closed, which lays its eggs in the 

 autumn upon weeds and other vegetation. The eggs hatch the following spring and 

 the young caterpillars are seldom noticed while they are small. Land, which is allowed 

 to bear a crop of weeds in the autumn, is therefore more likely to attract the moths to 

 lay their eggs than land which is kept clean. The destruction then of all useless vege- 

 tation and particularly of weeds in the autumn is a good preventive remedy against 

 cutworms of many kinds, 



GRASSHOPPERS. 



Locusts, or as they are more generally called Grasshoppers, have again this year 



been the cause of considerable loss in some places, particularly in Central Manitoba 



and in parts of the interior of British Columbia. 



Outbreaks more or less severe were also reported 



from western Ontario, New Ontario, and Nova 



Scotia, but these occurrences, although severe, were 



of short duration. Much more important were the 



ravages of grasshoppers in the West. 

 Fig. 5.— The Rocky Mountain T , r ., , . i l , • -tnr\i 4.1. ~ 



L 0cus t. In Manitoba, spring opened later m 1901 than 



the previous year ; as a consequence, grasshoppers 

 also appeared later, and, as the conditions for growth of all kinds of crops were most 

 favourable, there was every hope that there would be no injuries by grasshoppers. The 

 nppearance of the crops was so unprecedentedly good and there was on the prairie such 

 exuberant growth that it seemed to farmers impossible that these insects could affect 

 the crop. However, in certain localities active measures were necessary. Some fields 

 of large extent were stripped bare, and others were only saved by energetic and per- 

 sistent work. On the whole, therefore, although loss from these insects did not appear 

 to affect the enormous total grain yield of the province, 85 million bushels, it was a 

 serious matter for some farmers in the localities visited. 



The development of this outbreak is described in the following correspondence : — 

 ' Winnipeg, April 15. — Last week we had very fine warm bright days, and I have 

 received a report from the Stockton and Treesbank districts that young grasshoppers 

 are hatching out in millions. Yesterday was cold, and last night we had frost ; to-day 

 it is thawing a little. I am hoping that this severe weather will finish most of the 

 grasshoppers, or at least be a check to them.' — Hugh McKellar. 



' Winnipeg, May 29. — I regret to advise you that grasshoppers are again becoming 

 a menace to the farmers in the districts where they were prevalent last year. Ten 

 days ago I visited the districts north of Methven and east to Treesbank. Only very 

 few could then be found, all in the first stage. It was impossible at that date to esti- 

 mate what another week or two would bring about. I am now advised by Mr. Nor- 

 man Criddle and Mr. Cullen, of Aweme, and Mr. Jerome Henry, of Stockton, that 

 they are likely to be as bad as last year, although you will notice that the date is later 

 than last year's trouble. Farmers are asking for Paris green and I have already sent 

 out 50 pounds by express. This is to carry on the fight against them on the plan given 

 by Mr. Norman Criddle, and referred to in your last annual report. I have also just 

 been advised that locusts have appeared in great numbers on the Eastern Mennonite 

 reserve, municipality of Hanover, at the village of Chortitz and other villages in the 

 district. The Minister of Agriculture would be pleased to have you spend a few days 

 here before going west to the Territories in connection with your summer's work. I 

 Bhould be pleased to have any suggestions you wish to offer in the way of fighting the 

 hoppers.'— Hugh McKellar. 



' Winnipeg, June 6. — I have just received your favour of the 3rd inst., and will 

 now report further on the grasshoppers. The last two weeks' of May were dry and the 

 last week hot and dry. Everything was favourable for the grasshoppers, while wheat 



