42 GRASSHOPPERS AND OTHER INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1911 AND 1912. 



MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 



Effects of humidity and degrees of atmosphere and soil upon 

 eggs and hoppers were tested (Howard 1912) to some extent in con- 

 nection with the carrying out of some preliminary experiments to 

 test the efficiacy of plowing as a means of destroying grasshopper 

 eggs in the soil. These experiments will be continued this winter. 



As a result of our experiments in 1911, we had printed in the 

 fall of that year, a "grasshopper poster" of some size, stating the 

 situation and giving the remedial measures we had found good, in- 

 cluding detailed directions for spraying. About 6,000 of these were 

 distributed amongst those who had complained of grasshoppers, 

 and through our field workers and institute men, to all farmers in 

 infested districts who were interested in the problem. They were 

 also given out to farmers at the State Fair of 1911. 



One feature of our work was the formation of "grasshopper 

 clubs" amongst the farmers and interesting commercial clubs by 

 circular letters to take action, upon the ground that the interests 

 of the farmer and the business interests of any town are closely 

 allied. One commercial club promised to co-operate with us some- 

 what along the following lines : 



Plan for Co-Operative Work by Commercial Clubs Against 

 Grasshoppers. 



The Commercial Club will buy two or more sprayers and a 

 supply of several hundred pounds of arsenite of sodium. Believing 

 that roadsides are one of the great sources of young grasshoppers, 

 especially in the southern parts of the state, the club plans to spray 

 all of the roadsides in four townships centering at the city. 



The Club will hire a man to supervise and direct this work and 

 two or more men and teams to handle the sprayers. 



The man in charge will act also as a solicitor among the farmers 

 and it is planned to ask each farmer to contribute $5.00 per quarter 

 section. 



The work will be begun early and carried out as rapidly as 

 possible. 



When the roadsides have been covered, it is planned to spray 

 such of the enclosed fields as appear seriously infested if desired. 



