GRASSHOPPERS AND OTHER INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1911 AND 1912. 33 



The beet sugar molasses seemed to furnish the greatest attraction, 

 although the odor is not more attractive than that of the other substances. 

 The g'rasshoppers present were M. bivittatus, M. atlanis with a few M. femur- 

 rubrum. They were mostly in the fourth and fifth stages and a few were 

 molting to the adult age. 



The objection may be raised to this experiment that no barriers were 

 placed about the plots and thus we were unable to ascertain exactly how many 

 were killed. My endeavor was to have conditions as nearly natural as 

 possible; and the dead grasshoppers were traced for a sufficient distance into 

 the grain field. Of course, we did not ascertain how many escaped destruction, 

 but that was not the point for which I was working in this test. 



I was disappointed in the eff"ectiveness of the Locusticide and attribute 

 it to the fact that there is a difference in the sweetening substance used in 

 the American made product. The Atlas Preservative Co., of London, are 

 now sending, free of charge, a couple of drums of the English made article, 

 from the lot used in South Africa, and which was found so successful. This 

 can be tested another season." 



Mr. M. C. Tanquary of Illinois had charge of most of the field 

 work in spraying in 1911. He began his work June 5th at Fergus 

 Falls and conducted a series of tests to show the effect of Sodium 

 Arsenite both upon grasshoppers and upon the growing grain. 

 These tests were made in part at Foxhome (Wilkin Co.) and later 

 at Beltrami (Polk Co.) and again in part at Redwood Falls. 



Protection of Gardens. 



There is no question but that poultry, where it is possible to 

 make use of it, is a most valuable adjunct in keeping down the grass- 

 hopper pest around the house. Turkeys in particular have an in- 

 satiable appetite for these insects and are not only of great value in 

 this connection, more so than in anj^ other variety of poultry, but 

 also as we all know, bring a very handsome price in the fall. This 

 argument alone is one to induce all farmers to raise more poultry, 

 particularly turkeys. 



Poison baits for grasshoppers can be used to advantage in a gar- 

 den, a poison bran mash, (two parts Paris Green and twenty-five 

 parts bran by measure) or the "Criddle Mixture" (Paris Green one 

 part, fresh horse manure one hundred parts, enough water to make 

 the mixture soft) or some modification of it (see Minnesota Mix- 

 ture page 30). We have found by experimentation that the 

 Criddle Mixture can be safely used in places where full grown fowls 

 have access, though it might be dangerous where there were young 

 chickens. 



In using poison baits in the garden, care must be taken not to 

 place any compound containing Paris Green or arsenic in any form 

 close to or in contact with a plant, since if rain occurs and the 

 poison is washed down to the roots, the plant is likely to be serious- 

 ly injured. 



