[92] REPORT UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



"weather of the past few days has been warm enough to have hatched them by the mil- 

 lion had the eggs been good, but not one of the pests can be found. Farmers are gen- 

 erally jubilant, and a big crop of everything is looked for in Southeastern Kansas. — 

 [ Western Farmer. 



Newton, Jjxril 16.— The grasshoppers are hatching out numerously in this section. 

 The farmers are trying to destroy them. The outlook for good crops is bad. 



Hiawatha, Ajjril 16. — From present indications we judge that the grasshopper will 

 not be near as numerous as they were two years ago ; and as we are better prepared to 

 meet and fight them, we do not anticipate any serious damage to crops. 



Sabetha, April 16. — The grasshoppers are hatching out in great numbers, but have 

 done no damage. 



Neosho, A^tril 17. — Yery little wheat was sown on account of the grasshoppers last 

 fall. Wheat that was sown late looks well. This season is very favorable. Oatslookwell. 

 Farmers are in the midst of corn-planting. 'Hoppers just beginning to hatch. Mill- 

 ions of eggs were deposited, and fears are entertained that they will do great damage. — 

 [ Globe-Democrat. 



Pawnee County, April 18. — Winter- wheat is looking well ; grain has been needing 

 rain, but we are having plenty now. Rye, barley, and oats are growing well. We have 

 no grasshoppers nor eggs, and everything is looking very encouraging in our county. 



McFherson County, April 19. — Winter-wheat has a good appearance all over the county, 

 and oats are up and looking well. Grasshoppers have hatched out in large numbers, 

 but are confined to certain localities. We are preparing to fight them in an organized 

 form. A heavy rain fell last night ; we think it has killed many 'hoppers, though they 

 are doing little damage at present. ' 



Chase County, April 19. — Farming commenced in our neighborhood in good earnest 

 some two weeks ago, and there is quite a large quantity of corn planted in our neigh- 

 borhood. The grasshoppers are hatching out in great numbers in our county. Winter- 

 wheat is in poor condition in our county, but will be better than many supposed when, 

 winter broke up. All spring grain looks well, and as our section has never been in- 

 jured by the young 'hoppers, there are not many farmers afraid of them, and we are 

 putting in all the land that is broken. — [^Kansas Farmer. 



Mr. A. N. Godfrey, one of our students, who is closely watching the grasshoppers fro 

 Professor Riley, made a careful examination with respect to the effect of the late heavy 

 rain-storm, and hands us the following : 



" More hungry little grasshoppers made their appearance yesterday. The recent cold 

 rains must have destroyed large numbers of the'young larvce, for they are not so nu- 

 merous as they were a few days ago. The greate'r portion of the eggs are yet in the 

 ground, waiting for a few more days of warm sunshine to develop them. We have 

 many insect friends working for us, — more than a casual observer would suppose. In 

 a few square feet some fifty egg-parasites of different kinds were found. Of one hundred 

 egg-cases carefully examined, fifty-four were apparently sound and nearly ready to 

 hatch, twenty were partially addled or eaten by parasites, and twenty-six were entire- 

 ly addled or destroyed." — \_Industrialist (Manhattan), April 21. 



Since the 14th instant, the grasshoppers, iu every burst of sunshine, have been boil- 

 ing out of the College farm like so many little fountains ; and with the utmost celerity 

 and unanimity have found the nearest spear of g;^ass or grain. For some days no ma- 

 terial damage will be done, simply because the little whelps are not large enough; but 

 that is an element which time will speedily change. Professor Riley's statement, made 

 to us last fall after a careful examination, promises to be fully verified in this locality; 

 namely, that if 90 per cent, of the eggs shouldbe destroyed, the remaining 10 x^er cent, 

 would supply 'hop]3ers enough to eat up the early crops. This section being the 

 best part of Kansas has naturally taken better care of its eggs than have some other 

 sections, if reports are correct, and we seriously doubt if 90 per cent, of these eggs have 

 been damaged. At any rate, our prospect for a healthy and swarming crop of these 

 jumping darlings is splendid — blame them ! 



We are devoutly thankful for the telegram from Fort Scott that the eggs in St3uth- 

 eastern Kansas are unproductive, and that not a 'hopper can be found thereabouts. 

 However, nothing better could have been expected from that section ; it is too near 

 Missouri and the Indian Territory. The eastern end of the State also, having had its 

 test in 1875, was very properly avoided by the northerly swarms last fall. Locusts 

 know a good country when they see it, and, in the fullness of maternal sagacity, peg 

 down their infernal eggs in those regions where fertile fields will insure abundant 

 fodder ior their beloved but unprincipled offspring. 



Seriously, there is no use shutting our eyes to the fact that until the middle of June 

 many portions of the State will be more or less damaged. Every method which prom- 

 ises success in the destruction of the pest should be promptly and thoroughly tried. 

 At the same time, it must be remembered that fighting 'hoppers is a new thing. 



