FOREST AND STREAM. 



117 



Potte was ill despair, nnf.il remembering that among the traps, 

 ■which his thoughtful mother had prepared for his use, was a 

 box of Dailey's Pain Extractor. This I suggested should he 

 brought down at once, and Potts having gotten it, we spread 

 Bome thickly on one eide of a silver dollar, and placod it on 

 the wound. When the Coolie saw the dollar his shrieks ceased , 

 and his foot being bound up with this novel plaster still on it, 

 he hopped to the gate in double quick time, We never heard 

 of him afterward ; but the nest day all the cooliea in town 

 were on hand, to be shot at at o dollar a head. 



WAR ON THE GRASSHOPPER. 



says, an agreeable, nutty flavor when they are fried in butter; 

 . nags and legs are removed. Fatal Able SOUp D , 

 also he made of them. The Indians roast them ; and John 

 the Baptist, we are told, used to hanker after them, 



■♦.«. ■ 



GAME PROTECTION. 



THE Commission appointed by the Government last 

 ■week to study up the habits and habitat of the Amer- 

 ican grasshopper, and discover, if possible, some method of 

 exterminating him, consists of Dr. L. V. Hayden and Prof. 

 Henry, of the Smithsonian Institution : Prof. Biley, Mich- 

 igan State Entomologist ; Cyrus Thomas, Illinois State Ento- 

 mologist ; and Dr. Packard, of the X,jtimilisl. They have 

 gone to St. Louis, and will at once enter upon their campaign. 

 The Commission lias mapped out the region west of the 

 Mississippi and east of the Rocky Mountains into throe dis- 

 h of which a member of the Commission will 

 devote himself to Studying the insect, and an excursion is 

 to be made to Canada for the purpose by Prof, Biley and 

 Dr. Packard. The parasites, embriology, development, and 

 range of the insect, with a study of the inseet, and the me- 

 teorological conditions favoring its growth, will each be the 

 object of special investigation by themembersof the Commis- 

 sion, to whom this work will be assigned by topics. Bulle- 

 tins will be issued from timo to time during the summer, 

 embodying the researches of these naturalists and the prog- 

 gress of the grasshopper. 



We have heard great stories of the innumerable multitudes 

 of grasshoppers and their ravages. We have seen settlers 

 abandoning their homes from which these insects had starved 

 them. Serious indeed must be the cause that would compel 

 a man to abandon property that has cost him thousands of 

 dollars. It has been supposed that the flights of grasshop- 

 pers were as countless as the sands of the sea, but a careful 

 mathematical computation snows that there are often sixteen 

 hundred and two millions to the square mile. Prof. Biley, a 

 member of the Commission, in his report ^1875) on the 

 "Noxious, Beneficial, and other Insects of the State of Mis- 

 souri," says that tie grasshoppers found on this continent 

 are of three kinds. First, is the Oaiopemu , ; .. distin- 

 guished by the length of his wings, which extend, when 

 closed, one-third of their length beyond the tip of the abdo- 

 men ; second, the Ckdoptenus ftmxr robrWfl, or common red- 

 legged grasshopper, with shorter wings ; third, the Pacific 

 migratory locust, OrtHpoda atrox, more than an inch in length, 

 with several roundish spots on back and wings, and a dark 

 fuscous spot behind the eye, which is seldom seen on this 

 side of the Pacific slope. Their habits, and the treatment 

 required by each, are the same. The first-named species 

 (the qprttus, or hateful) is that which invades and devastates 

 the prairies. Their natural breeding-ground is in the arid 

 plains of Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Montana, to the south 

 and west of the Mississippi. They are generally, therefore, 

 called Boeky Mountain locusts. 



These insects pierce nest-holes in the surface of the prairie, 

 drilling tbem out with their abdomens, and depositing an 

 egg-pod therein, which contains from thirty to 100 eggs. 

 The pod is three-fourths of an inch long. When deposited it 

 is covered with earth. From the eggs the young locusts 

 emerge, each kicking off the white skin which enshrouds it, 

 and the larva is at once a locust. As it grows its skin dis- 

 tends until it bursts, and the locust comes forth in a new 

 garment. It is now called a, pupa; the knobs on its back 

 gradually grow into wings, when it is a full-armed locust. 



Their visitations are periodical. The Jesuit History of 

 Missions in California states that the year 1722 was disastrous. 

 They came again in 1746, continuing three years; next in 

 1753, 1754: afterwards in 1705, 1766, 1767. Within the present 

 century the periods of greatest destruction were 1828, 1838, 

 1846, and 1855. The locusts extended themselves in one year 

 over' a surface comprised within thirty-eight degrees of lati- 

 tude and eighteen degrees of longitude in the broadest part. 

 (See article on " Grasshoppers and Locusts of America, " in 

 Smithsonian Beports for 1858, page 200.) 



Since Lord Selkirk's settlement in Manitoba in 1812, the 

 locusts have appeared in 1818 and 1819; then not until 1857 

 and 1858; next in 1864 and 1865, doing little injury; then in 

 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870; and again in the last three years. 

 Since the settlement of Minnesota there have been six grass- 

 hopper years in that State, 1856, 1857, 1865, 1873, 1874, and 

 1875. 



It is a curious fact that the immunity of any particular dis- 

 trict for grasshopper ravages may turn upon the fact of a 

 bright sun and clear sky, through which they move on, but 

 settle down into the shrubs and grass as rain approaches. 

 They prefer unripe cereals and juicy grasses, and will pass 

 peas and beans, unless hard pressed. 



Very many are the natural enemies of the grasshopper. 

 There is the ichneunron fly, and another fly, called Uwhina 

 sarcophaya; the red pacantes, found near the base of tha 

 wings; birds of various kinds, the domestic fowls; and 

 buffaloes, which trample them. Of mechanical means, early 

 ploughing is successful to some extent; a green hedge of 

 poas or beans aroun d a field, with a supplementary ditch of 

 water, will protect the grain; burning, beating with bu I 

 drowning in ditches, and other methods art 

 more or less effect. We trust the Commission just appointed 

 may be able to devise some cont.ivanee more effective than 

 any of them have yet proved. 



Bv the way, Proi. Biley expresses a favorable opinion of 

 edible qualities of the grasshopper. The insects yield, h.- 



NewTork State Sfobtsmans' Association. —The joint com- 

 mittee of the Onondago and Central City Oh) 

 having in charge the arrangements for the next meeting of 

 the New York State Sportsman's .Association, held a meeting 

 recently, and appointed the following committees: On Fish 

 I D. H. Bruce. Reuben ' ..Ides. On 



Lucius Moses, Howard Soule, Jr., Henry Gale. 

 John A. Nichols, JohnBodford, P. J. Brumelkamp. 

 On Fit/ Ousting— .James Gedaes, Reuben Wood, D. H.Bruce. 

 On Pistol Shooting -W. S. Barnum, Frank Denison, 

 der. On Rifle S/wK^infl D >i. Bruce, George W. Edwards, 

 Frank E, Carroll. I 'ng— Frank B. Klock, John 



Bedford, Howard Soule, Jr. ;\ <., OommUtet — 8, W. Sher- 

 lock, Frank B. Klock. Frank E. Carroll. Receptim CommMee 

 -FrankB. CarToll, Thos. Townsend, Thos. Kiniber, Jr., B- 

 W. Jones W. H. Larrabae, Frank Denison. 



It was voted unanimously to hold a Bench Show of dogs. 



There will be some innovations this year on the old plans 

 and schemes under which the association has met for so many 

 years. Among them will be rifle shooting, on all ranges up to 

 1,000 yards, under the. rules of the National Rifle Association. 

 This change alone will be appreciated by rifienien everywhere . 



Massachusetts. — An adjourned meeting of the Massachu- 

 setts Anglers' Association was held in Boston, Wednesday 

 evening, March 21, congratulatory on the passage of the 

 Lobster law; leave to withdraw on the petition of parties to 

 change the Smelt law ; and change of name to Massachusetts 

 Fish and Game. Protective Association. Dr. John P. Ordway, 

 the President, reported that the bill changing the name hod 

 passed the House and would undoubtedly pass the Senate. 



Mr. Horace T. Rockwell, from the Committee appointed 

 March 7 to confer with the different game Clubs, in regard to 

 the subject of Club admissions to membership in the Massa- 

 ohusetts Fish and Game Protective Association, submitted a 

 report, and recommended tkejjpassage of the following vote, 

 which was 



Voted, That the Massachusetts Fish and Game Protective 

 Association invite the several Fish; Game and Sportsmen's 

 Clubs of Massachusetts to send delegates to form a General 

 Convention, Association, or Council; the basis of representa- 

 tion to be one delegate at large for each Club, and one addi- 

 tional delegate for every fifty members or fraction thereof. 



H. W. Fuller, Esq., spoke of the success which has at- 

 tended the efforts of officers of the association in securing 

 proper legislation in the interest of the public and the pro- 

 tection of food fishes. The annual meeting takes place 

 April 6th. 



Connecticut. — Our correspondent from Hartford (T. S. 

 S.), writes: "The lower branch of the Connecticut Legisla- 

 ture has. seen fit to pass a bill, forbidding the shooting of 

 quail in this Stato for the next three years, which seems a 

 great injustice to the lover of field sports. If we could feel, 

 in the depths of our heart, that tho coneoctors of this bill 

 were inkUhjenthi acquainted with tho habits of this game, and 

 that the movement arose from a benevolent Inspiration to pre- 

 serve the bird, we would feel resigned; but the contrary is 

 the case. How often does the boot of the sportsman come 

 contact with (very naturally, too, ) the traps, set by the 

 ytsJaiors and their boys, who give the game no 

 chance, but capture them by the wholesale. 



These farmer's devices kill more game than a true sports- 

 man twice oVer, and until the former are ready to relinquish 

 their traps,- the latter will respect but little their wishes. 

 We are happy to report, that the Senate has not as yet con- 

 curred in the views of the House." 



Cahfoenia. — The Ninirod Sporting Club, composed 

 chiefly of the senior students of St. Ignatius College, has 

 just been organized at San Francisco, Cal., with a membership 

 of 150. The officers are: President, Henry I. Fisher; First 

 Vice-President, Peter F. Dunne; Second Vice-President, Jas. 

 D. Phelan; Third Vice-President, W. F. Stafford; Corre- 

 sponding Secretary, Francis J. Cleary; Recording Secretary, 

 Albert M. Whittle; Treasurer, Richard P. Doolan; Sergeant- 

 atr-Arms, J. P. Amos. 



— Thirty-two States of the Union have adopted tho laws 

 and policy of the parent Society of New York for the Pre- 

 vention of Cruelty to Animals. Florida, Mississippi, Ar- 

 kansas, and Nevada, are the only States which, thus far, 

 have failed to enact laws for the protection of inferior ani- 

 mals. 



■«■» 



POT-HUNTING. 



HEW Tobk, March 19, 1877. 

 Editor Forest and Stukasi. 



Your correspondent., Pot-Huuter, sounds his owu condemnation. Ho 

 is the toe. of all true sportsmen, and his name is Legion. During the 

 past winter every gun has been brought to bear upon the defenceless 

 birds without mercy, or any thought of the future supply. For the 

 last ten years I have witnessed the rapid decrease of game with feelings 

 of disgust. In many places where I used to got good shuoimg, game 

 is almost annihilated. The game laws only protect during the close 

 season ; they, do not prevent its ruthless slaughter at other times. Pot- 

 hunters, economical of their powder, shoot on the ground, whenever 

 they eel the chance. The result of this is obvious. The tax on guns, 

 as suggested by " Medlcus," would he of tnHjiite service, and since the 

 duty on a box of matches is not regarded as an infringmeut of the lib- 

 erty of the subject, it should not be ao construed. A tax of say $15 

 annually would he willingly paid by sportsmen for tho satisfaction of 

 knowiDg that so many guns in tho country would be suppressed. I will 

 direct the attention of Sporting Clubs to the German ctciesc system. 

 The Government Reservati ai of the Yellowstone Pnrli will form a 

 precedent. If soma very .stringant measures are not at once adopted, 

 there will soon be no sport worth having. Vbnator. 



Obtttjabt. — Died, at Hantsport, Nova Scotia, on the 21st of 

 February, after a protracted Hire , C pi . N. W. 



Beckwith, well-known to reade:> .. .. .. 1 periodi- 



cals, as the author of interesting sea-fai II ki tche . many 

 of them written for young people. A very strong vein of 

 humor tinged his really clever crotcheries, which were not 

 exaggerated "sailor's yarns,'' but bits of actual experience, 

 gathered from an oventful life in all parts of the globe, with 

 a good deal of information contained in them relating to 

 natural history, geography, etc., for the Captain was a dose 

 and intelligent observer. He has written many sketches for 

 Fobest and Stream, one or two of which remain imprinted. 

 His two orphan children have lost a kind father, his ac- 

 quaintances a gonial companion and honest friend, and the 

 public a writer, whose works had more than ordinary value. 

 His daughter, in a privB 1 1 le1 sr to us, ... 



"His mind remained clear up to the hour of his death. 

 Only two days before he died he wished me to read to him 

 from .S'.r./f, his favorite poet. [taeemed to I in re a soothing 

 effect -on him to have me read. "It is aa a .od a -rain of 

 morphine," he would say. Ires th< Dauntless." 



Heiollowe.il me all through it, one correcting my pronun- 

 ciation, and often, anticipating a stanza, Would quote from 

 memory. He watched bo anxiously all through his illness 

 for Foeest and Stbeam. The Inst on. ' oversaw came the 

 day before he died. 1 took it to him. He tried to look at 

 it, but was too weak. "Lay it away, I will read it by and 

 by," he said. 



Not in the Wmn Rice Business. — We have received the 

 following card from Mr. Richard Valentine, of Wisconsin, 

 and much regret baring imposed so much distress upon our 

 friend. We have referred inquiries to him, under the im- 

 pression that he once advertised a card in this paper offer- 

 ing Wild Bice for sale. The large number of applications 

 made to him for seed, show that niueh interest is felt in the 

 subject of wild rice culture, and we have no doubt, that tho 

 efforts which we set on foot three years ago, will eventually 

 show their fruits in the increased number of wild fowl that 

 will be attracted to our inland waters by tho food thus pro- 

 vided for them. 



By the way, a great many of our advertisers make the 

 same complaint as Mr. Valentine, that their cards bring 

 them more business than they can attend to. We have heard 

 only one advertiser say this paper was a poor medium, and 

 he offered for sale a second-hand "Elephant gun," that had 

 been used in India ! No elephants in this hemisphere, "yon 

 know, you know." 



Janesvuxe. Wis , March 19th, 1877. 



"Will you please state in your columns, that I am not in the wild 

 rice business. 'lean well believe that Forest and Stream is a good 

 advertising medium, if the wild rice letters lam receiving is any cri- 

 terion. If my correspondents wilt address S. P. Byere & Son, Princeton, 

 Minnesota, they will be able to get what they want. I have never bad 

 any seed to sell, but only acted as a medium in the matter, as a labor of 

 love for my brother sportsmen, as it were. 



P. S.— Those who have written me will accept this as reply. 



B-icuaud Valentine. 



Testimony of a Bo at- builder. — J. H. Bushton, of Canton, 

 N. Y., who advertises Adirondack and other boats in this paper, 

 writes to us, March 23d, saying: " Forest and Stream brings 

 me a great many inquiries, and I presume a reasonable num- 

 ber of sales." 

 Another correspondent in Shakopee, Minnesota, says: — 

 "I thought a little while ago that I should have to forego the further 

 pleasure of reading thoFomsr and Stkeam in order to shorten expenses, 

 so as lo be prepared for a terrible struggle with the grasshoppers this 

 esaion, hat my two boy's say, that they will rather shorten up on any . 

 thing slse 1 may designate, than to miss the Forest and Stubam from 

 our tibia. As for myself, I solemnly believe, that if your paper Toand 

 * larger circulation among that class «f mnn, our youths, who now 

 waste their means on such stuff 'that goetb into their mouth and Btealeth 

 away their brains,' a very large number of them would beoome better 

 men and thereby not only improve their morals but also their health." 



Sporting S otes A om S uraHC ^ 



(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) 



London, March 12th. 



BY far the rnost.interesting event which has occurred in the 

 sporting world since I last penned you a letter was the 

 great coursing event of the year, tho Waterloo meeting at 

 Altoar, near Liverpool. To win the Waterloo Cup is, among 

 coursers, an achievement of equal merit, with winning a Derby 

 among turfmen, and the speculation upon the first-named 

 event is probably equalled in no other contest in which 

 horses are not the chief actors. In fact, the element of chance 

 entefs largely into it, for not only is it accompanied by all 

 those casualties, such as lameness, over-training, etc., etc., 

 that are peculiar to racing, but the dogs are drawn by lot to 

 compete against each other, and it might largely influence the 

 prospects, even if a ''first favorite," whether he was drawn in 

 the first round with a dog whoso pretensions nearly equalled 

 his own, or with one who was greatlyjiis inferior. There is no 

 " laying up for a heat " in coursing, and a severe course in the 

 first ties has knocked into a cocked hat, so to speak, tl e 

 chances of many a heavily -backed greyhound. Coomassie, the 

 winner, who was bought almost at the last moment to fill a 

 nomination, is one of the smallest greyhounds that ever won 

 this important event, weighing only forty-two pounds, but a 

 perfect picture of symmetry. Braw Lass, '.the " runner-up," as 

 the losing dog in the fiual heat is termed, is almost as small 

 weighing but four pounds more than the winner. The elosir g 

 course is thus described in one of the sporting paperB : 



"Coomnssie's last course whs also brilliantly run. Although 

 on a strong outside at last, sho went up two lengths first, and 

 scored twice after shooting smartly from the turn before los- 

 ing her place in attempting the death. Braw Lass then made 

 a good effort, and a loud Lancashire shout instantly rent the 

 air; but Coomassie, not, to be denied, drew in front immed- 

 iately she got the slightest opening, and the last two points 

 and it good kill landed her a decisive wiener. TJjs WatCHi o 

 Cup was never run through move meritoriously, not even by 

 Master McG-rath." 



