DESTRUCTION OF GRASSHOPPERS. 



57 



FIG. 29. (Original.) Plan for hopper-dozer. 



of a grasshopper that had jumped out. In every case the report was 

 that the insect "became sick and soon died." In fact, persons going 

 over fields where a day or so before the hopper-dozer had been at work 

 were impressed with the number of dead grasshoppers scattered about 

 on the ground. An examination showed the presence of coal-oil upon 

 the body. 



This coal-oil and water is an external irritant, and my observations 

 have been that the mixture is more effective than the pure oil alone. 



The use of the machine may be best shown by examples. In Ford 

 coun y this season a large tract of alfalfa was cut, and the locusts at 

 once began moving into a large field of Kafir-corn which had been 

 sown broadcast. The hopper-dozer was drawn back and forth across 

 the end of the corn-field nearest the alfalfa land until a portion of the 

 field abou t twenty rods deep had been gone over. Here it was appar- 

 ent that there were very few grasshoppers ; or, in other words, the ad- 

 vance line of the locusts' march only extended twenty rods into the 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VII. Hopper-dozer at work on the ranch of Hon. 

 Thos. H. Ford, Hamilton county. The photograph is taken in alfalfa field, 

 which is being protected for seed crop. Quantity of grasshoppers just taken 

 from pans can be seen in front of pans. This machine was made after instruc- 

 tions of this department, except the 2x4 fourteen-foot extending forward by the 

 side of each mule. These were added by Mr. Ford, and are of great value in 

 steadying the machine. (Photographed by Cass.) 



