Grasshoppers 



Of this assortment of mechanical hopper killers only the hopper 

 dozer (Fig. 15, Page 102), as we know it today, has survived. This de- 

 vice has long been recognized as effective in destroying grasshoppers, but 

 its usefulness is confined to low standing crops, mown meadows, stubble 

 fields and relatively flat ground. Where the ground is rolling or hilly the 

 "live hopper machine" takes the place of the dozer. 



The hopper dozer consists of a sheet-iron pan about 4 inches deep 

 and 12 to 16 feet long by 2\ to 3 feet wide. This is separated into com- 

 partments by cross partitions, making the compartments about square. 

 These cross partitions are to prevent the liquid used in the pan from run- 

 ning to either end when the dozer is used on slightly rolling ground. This 

 pan is placed on runners made of 2x4 or 2x6 lumber. At the back and 

 ends of the pan is an upright sheet of tin or oilcloth 2\ or 3 feet high, 

 against which the hoppers fly and are knocked or slide down into the pan. 



When in operation the pan is partially filled with water covered 

 with a thin film of kerosene. As the hoppers accumulate in this liquid 

 they are skimmed off. If this is not done the falling insects are prevented 

 from becoming coated with the oil and water, which is necessary in order 

 to kill them. The dozer is drawn by horses, one hitched at either end. 



A dozer of this sort can be built on the farm, and should be constructed 

 for $6.00 to $7.00 when normal prices prevail. 



The Live Hopper Machine 



This device, which is of more recent origin than the dozer, is espec- 

 ially adapted to use on rolling or hilly land where those devices which 

 employ liquids cannot be satisfactorily worked. 



The live hopper machine consists of a box about 2 feet wide, 2 feet 

 deep and 16 feet long, with bottom and ends of wood, and top and back of 

 fine screen. The remaining side of the box is partially closed by a curved 

 sheet iron or tin deflector about three feet high and extending along its 

 entire length. The deflector reaches to within about three inches of the 

 bottom of the box, the lower edge being curved backward into it. Just 

 in front of this is a narrow strip of tin fastened to the bottom of the box 

 directly under the bent-in portion of the deflector and curved outward 

 and upward to a height of about six inches. Thus a curved mouth is 

 produced along the entire length of the box. The hoppers flying against 

 the deflector slide down into this mouth. The narrow strip of tin men- 

 tioned prevents the hoppers from escaping by hopping off of the machine 

 in front. Once in the mouth of the box, the light coming through the 

 screen attracts them and the hoppers enter it in an attempt to escape, 

 and are imprisoned. 



At each end of the box is a door which is used in removing the hop- 

 pers from the machine after they have been killed by being sprayed with 

 kerosene. 



The machine is placed on runners and drawn by horses in the same 

 manner as the dozer. 



Harrowing and Discing 



Even though the hopper dozer is used and the Kansas Mixture ap- 

 plied, many grasshoppers will reach maturity and many eggs will be laid 

 each fall. In order fully to round out the season's work against the grass- 



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