﻿OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST, 107 



south of the 44th parallel or east of the 100th meridian, but that it occasionally over- 

 runs the country south and east ot these lines, from the extreme Northwest. 



There are, therefore, two pressin<>: questions which demand our attention : 



1st The best means of fiirhtino- the plague as it occurs in the States to which it 

 migrates, but in which it is not indigenous. 



2d. The thorough investigation into its habits in its native home, with a view of 

 preventing, if possible, its migrations therefrom. 



Toward the elucidation and settlement of the first we have the dear-bought ex- 

 perience of the past few years, and there has already been a large amount of valuable 

 information obtained and published in the proclamation of Gov. Pillsbury, in the report 

 of the special Minnesota commission, appointed in 1875, in the two last entomological 

 reports made to the State of Missouri, by its State entomologist, and in the writings 

 of Prof. Thomas and others. We, therefore, recommend the passage of the following 

 resolutions: 



Resolved, That, as much valuable and practical advice has already been published 

 a committee of three be appointed to collect and issue in pamphlet form, as soon as 

 possible, all the more practicable means, based on experience, that we now have any 

 knowledge of, toward the destruction of the insect, whether as it pours down upon us 

 in the winged condition, or as it hatches out in our midst. 



Resolved, That the official report of the proceedings of this Conference shall form 

 the prelude to this pamphlet, and that the following recommendations and statement 

 of our views, as to the possibilitv of contending with the locust shall form a part of 

 said pamphlet. [Here omitted.] 



Further, in order to meet the emergency that threatens next Spring, parti cular 

 stress should be laid on the best means of coning with the eggs and untleged young 

 that will hatch from them in the Spring of 1877. Among these, we deem as most fea- 

 sible and best calculated to produce goi)d results, a judicious bounty system ; and, as 

 that recommended by Prof. Kiley, in his eighth report, is based on the valuable expe- 

 rience gained in 1875, and correctly states the principles that should govern such legis- 

 lation, we recommend the following : 



Resolved, That in our opinion it will be wise and politic for the legislatures of each 

 of the States and Territories most deeply interested in the locust que.-tion, to enact a 



State bounty law, offering a bounty of per bushel for the collection and destruction 



of the pggs, and of per bushel for the destruction of the unfledged insects; that 



the principles laid down by Prof. Eiley for such a law should be kept in view; and that 

 we will use our influence to obtain such a law in our respective States. 



Resolved, That we recommend to the several legislatures, that they authorize local 

 taxation for the purpose of systematized effort in the way of ditching, burning, etc., 

 as the local authorities may deem necessary or desirable. 



We further invoke our legislatures to adopt such practicable measures as have 

 proved efficacious, and such as further experience may suggest, including the repeal of 

 existing game laws, or such modification of them as will prevent the destruction of 

 birds which feed upon the insects; the prevention of prairie fires until suitable time 

 for the destruction of tue young locusts by firing the grass ; the encouragement of tree 

 culture for promoting moisture and harboring birds, and such other means as may 

 promote the great end desired. 



Resolved, further, That in view of the danger that threatens, it is advisable that, as 

 farasposible, asurvey be made of each State during the coming Winter, to ascertain just 

 those portions of each county in which the eggs are most thickly laid, in order to indicate 

 to the county and State aiithorities the amount of the preparatory work to be done 

 to prevent the threatened injury, and also in order to more thoroughly organize every 

 portion of each State on some plan ot securing the intelligent co-operation of farmers 

 and others. 



We also recommend the passage of the following resolution: 



Resolved, That the Governors of each State and Territory be advised to appoint 

 a commission of one or more competent persons whose duties shall be to visit the 

 counties and towns of each State, and report the facts and observations to the Gover- 

 nors, and also to organize each county and precinct in such manner as may be deemed 

 expedient, and also to appoint in said counties and precincts, suitable persons to 

 receive and distribute such documents and pamphlets, containing general information 

 and means of defence, as will be provided by this Conterenje, and to report such or- 

 ganizations and names of committees to the respective Governors. 



For the solution of the second question, it is the evident duty of the Government 

 to make the proper investigation. We have looked in vain for this aid from our De-< 

 partment of Agriculture, and are satisfied that under its present management, such 

 aid, or any thorough investigations, are not to be expected. We therefore recommend 

 the following : 



