METHODS OF TRAPPING LOCUSTS. 377 



platform, thus making it a self-tarring machine. Either of these combined methods of 

 destroying the 'hoppers may be used as the farmer may choose. The machine is so 

 simple in construction that any ordinary workman can put them up at a compara- 

 tively small price. The machine may be made of any size desired, from a small hand- 

 machine to one a rod or more in width. 



Fig. 85 represents a front view of this machine when in operation, and 

 Fig. 86 a side view of the frame, of which Messrs. Flory & Co., the 

 manufacturers, send us the following description : 



The rollers B and C^ are 8 feet between the side-pieces. The roller B, forming the 

 axle, is about 16 inches longer than the other. The wheels are 24 inches in diameter, 

 4 inches thick, made of pieces of 2-inch lumber. Front roller, C, 8 feet between side- 

 pieces, 4 inches in diameter. Front wheels 10 inches in diameter, so set as to let the 

 front roller and platform run within a few inches of the ground. Front wheels should 

 be on movable axles, so as to raise or lower the machine. The platform is made of 

 heavy ducking, endless, and revolves between the two rollers B and C^ A head- block 

 and key at each end is used to drive the roller C^ up tight against the axle B. Side- 

 pieces are made of scantling 2 by 6, 7 feet in front, 9 feet in rear of axle. Arms, G G, 

 2 by 2, so arranged as to raise or lower the cover, P. Cross-piece in front of roller C 

 (^diagram 2), set so close as to serve as a cleaner to the platform, also protects the plat- 

 torm from rocks, &c. A short apron is attached to this piece extending to the ground. 

 (If necessary, a cleaner-strip may be placed immediately under roller C' (diagram 2).) 

 W are canvas wings, extending forward and outward at an angle for the purpose of 

 driving the grasshoppers in from either side, and, as the machine advances, they jump 

 on to the movable platform and are carried into the rollers B and C^ (diagram 2), and 

 crushed. X X are iron rods hanging by ropes from the end of front cross-piece T. V V 

 are wires extending from end of iron rods to cross-piece T. To the iron rods and wire 

 the canvas sides are sewed. An apron of canvas hangs from the iron rods X X to 

 sweep the ground. Over the top to the pieces C C a canvas cover is placed, tacked on, 

 extending back to the cross-piece F. The sides are also closed up with canvas. 



3. Trapping. — This can easily be accomplished, especially when the 

 locusts are making their way from roads and hedges. The use of nets 

 or seines, or long strips of muslin, calico, or similar materials, con- 

 verging after the manner of quail-nets, have proved very satisfactory. 

 ^y digging pits or holes three or four feet deep, and then staking the 

 two wings so that they converge toward them, large numbers may be 

 secured in this way after the dew is off the ground, or they may be 

 headed off when marching in a given direction. Much good can be ac- 

 co*Eplished by changing the position of the trap while the locusts are 

 yet small and congregate in isolated or particular patches. 



Mr. A. K Moyer, of Wyandotte, Kans., writes March 22, 1877: 



A street or an alley will cause the locusts to vary a few points from their line of march. 

 So, when approaching the banks of a river, before being able to fly, they will follow the 

 banks seemingly in search of a bridge. At Independence, Mo., they came into town and 

 were led to the public square, which is surrounded by a wall of dressed stone ; several 

 wagon-loads were removed in one day. Now, in aiming to capture and destroy them 

 when they are on the march, suppose a portable fence lined with tin or some smooth 

 material be used and placed in the form of a V with an opening at the apex and there 

 a receptacle for them be placed or dug, I think immense quantities could be corralled 

 in a day with very little labor. I have worked on that plan somewhat and know 

 whereof I speak. Then, to assist them, let two men, holding opposite ends of a long 

 piece of canvas or any light material which will bear a long stretch, surround and 

 steadily run them into the portable pits. 



