MACHINES FOR CRUSHING LOCUSTS. 



373 



proper organization, with camp outfit, «&c., to follow up the swarms, 

 loading the machines on wagons, and battle with the 'boppers morning 

 and evening, when they are comparatively sluggish. These machines 

 are not designed as temporary contrivances, believing that we shall 

 have the scourge several seasons in some parts of the State, and they 

 should be made strong and durable." Instead of paying bounties from 

 the State treasury for the locusts, Mr. Peteler would have the State aid 

 the farmers by investing in these machines. ^' Fifty thousand dollars 

 advanced to farmers will place, at $40 each, 1,250 one-horse machines 



The Peteler Machine: Side view. 



in their hands to keep their grain-fields clear. If they use them only 60 

 days during the season, and go over only 40 acres per day, destroying 

 but one-half bushel per acre (frequently they would destroy 8 to 10 

 bushels per acre), they would send 25,000 bushels daily, or 1,500,000 in 

 60 days, where bad 'hoppers go. That money would be returned to 

 the State in four to six months by the farmers, provided the State and 

 local authorities will do their duty by destroying the pests on unculti- 

 vated lands." 



Under this head we may mention the curious suction-fanning machine 

 invented by Mr. J. A. King, of Boulder, Colo., and one of which, pur- 

 chased by Mr. T. C. Henry, of Abilene, Kans., we had the opportunity 

 to fully test. It consists of two large tin tubes (Fig. 83, A A), about 8 

 inches in diameter, with flattened, expanded, and lipped mouth-pieces 

 (B) running near the ground. This horizontal opening or mouth is about 

 7 feet long. The tubes connect at the upper extremity with a chamber 



