Grasshoppers 



NATURE OF GRASSHOPPER INJURY 



Grasshoppers belong to that group of leaf-feeding insects which bite 

 their food. The crops attacked are often completely defoliated, and in 

 the case of root crops such as sugar beets, turnips and others the roots 

 are often eaten as well. The crowns of sugar beets are often completely 

 destroyed and as a consequence the beets soon die, as they cannot develop 

 new leaves. 



Young alfalfa is often destroyed by grasshoppers, especially where 

 the ripening of the grain used as a nurse crop forces them to seek other 

 green food. 



When attacking oats, grasshoppers have the peculiar habit of gnaw- 

 ing off the kernels, which they seldom if ever eat. 



When other food fails, shade trees and shrubs are attacked and 

 stripped of their leaves. 



During recent years grasshopper injury has usually occurred near 

 wild land or waste land about the borders of fields, roadsides, ditch banks 

 and fence rows, which are favorite breeding grounds of all grasshoppers. 

 With the passing of the Rocky Mountain locust the migration of large 

 swarms of grasshoppers from long distances appears to be a thing of the 

 past. 



METHODS OF CONTROL 

 Kansas Mixture 



The most effective remedy employed in the control of grasshoppers 

 is the poisoned bran mash known as "Kansas Mixture, " which is made of 

 the following ingredients: 



Bran 25 lbs. 



Paris green 1 \ lbs. 



Molasses 2 qts. 



Lemons 5 



Water, about 3 gals. 



It will be noted that the formula for use against grasshoppers is 

 slightly different from that given on page 39 for use against cutworms. 



How to Prepare the Mixture 



In preparing this mixture proceed in the following manner: Thor- 

 oughly mix the bran and Paris green while dry until the whole has a uni- 

 form greenish color. Take about two gallons of water and add to this 

 the molasses and lemons after the latter have been finely ground, rind and 

 all. Stir this mixture until the molasses is completely dissolved, then 

 pour it over the bran and Paris green. Mix until evenly moistened, 

 then add water a little at a time until the mash is just wet enough to stick 

 together well but yet dry enough to crumble readily when being spread. 



When to Apply the Mixture 



Grasshoppers spend the night on weeds and other plants well up 

 above the ground. Not until after the sun rises and they have become 

 warmed do they become active and begin feeding. After their night's 

 fast the hoppers are hungry, so that if the poisoned bran is scattered 

 before they begin feeding in the morning the best results are secured. If 



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