270 Kansas Academy of Science. 



even at the worst had suffered but partial loss of tissue. 

 Since the hoppers showed scarcely any disposition to advance 

 very high upon the stalks, the formation of tassels on the 

 older growth was apparently safe from attacks, and so far 

 as the silk had put out, none of the insects appeared to be 

 attracted to it. However, in pointing out the possibility that 

 the pests might eat the silk even should they spare the tassels, 

 and therefore interfere with the fertilization or development 

 of ears, their operations in such an event would result in a re- 

 duction of the yield, since ears so affected would be stunted 

 and mature as nubbins. Yet few individuals occurred on any 

 single plant, and practically all of the hoppers in the field 

 appeared in the winged stage, some of which were found 

 pairing. 



Examination of the places where poison mixture had been 

 applied afforded very little encouragement for the attempts 

 so far undertaken to use baits. The Griddle mixture proved 

 to be as useless as poisoned bran. However, in weeds that had 

 been dusted about two weeks previously with Paris green 

 and lime, at one to fifteen parts proportionately, several dead 

 hoppers were found lying on the ground at various short 

 distances from one another, but no appreciable difference had 

 been effected in the abundance of the living ones which still 

 infested the area. The finding of other dead bodies at more 

 frequent intervals near a heap of poisoned bran in the same 

 place indicated that a slight mortality of the hoppers had been 

 caused by some individuals feeding on the mixture. This 

 evidence was all that could be obtained to denote that the pests 

 had fed on the mixture in any situation. 



On the following morning applications of powdered arsenate 

 of lead in different amounts were made on both weeds and 

 com with the object of determining the efficiency of this poison 

 according to dosage. Considering the labor and cost of mate- 

 rial, in order to do effective work in suppression of the insects, 

 we decided that such expenditures would evidently amount to 

 more in value than the losses which might befall the crops, 

 and consequently no prompt means of fighting the pests to 

 a sufficient extent could be made economical. Our departures 

 being hastened by other pressing duties, Mr. Webb left in the 

 afternoon for return to his station, while the writer accom- 

 panied him as far as Livonia before turning back to Baton 



