THE CLUMSY LOCUST. 



25 



remain until frost comes in fall, and do not seem ti) have any natural enemy or dis- 

 ease. This insect has destroyed cotton in isolateil districts of this section for several 

 years past, but has appeared earlier and in greater numbers this year than ever. 

 They are usually worse in June and July than at any other time. Some of us saved 

 the larger part of our crops last year by unceasing fight against them with sticks, but 

 we had to keep that up for about six or eight weeks, and it is ver)' tedious work. 

 They ate thousands of dollars' worth of cotton last year. We think the principal 

 cause of their increase is the destruction of the wild birds and the hog law. In 

 neighborhoods near here where there is no hog law and hogs run at large the grass- 

 hoppers do not get numerous. We have seen hogs eating them. 



Mr. Smith requested that if possible some more efficient remed}- be 

 sitg-g-ested, and in our reply the use of poisoned bran mash and the 



Flij. 13. — Dictiiuphonis rfticalutiis: nymph above, iidult below— somewhat enlarged i original). 



thorough poisoning of all weeds and grass was advised. In reph' to 

 questions concerning thv habits of the locusts, Mr. Smith wrote on 

 June 9, 1903: 



I shall answer your questions in regard to the cotton-eating grasshoppers as best I 

 i-an. First, "When do they appear first in the spring?" They usually appear in 

 the latter part of May and first of June, but usually not in sufficient numbers to 

 seriously affect cotton until about June 15. This year they were numerous by May 1 

 and have now become very destructive to cotton. Second, "How late do they work 

 in the fall?" They remain until freezing weather comes on, though they do not 

 seem so vigorous in August and September and do not eat cotton so nuich then. 

 Third, "At what time do they become full grown in summer?" Usually in July 



15109— No. 57— U6- 



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