112 STATISTICS OF MINNESOTA. 



PBA-OTIOAi SUGGESTIONS BY GOVERNOR PILLSBURY. 



In the proclamation issued August 30, 1676, Governor Pillsbury 

 gave in a compact torm most of the known means of combating 

 the locusts, the essential parts of which I print for information as 



follows : 



First. — The crushing of the insects by rollers and other implements, and 

 the catching of them by bags and traps during the season of copulation or 

 mating, when by reason of their stupid and inactive condition they may be 

 destroyed in vast numbers. This is the first and vital step towards their 

 destruction, and can be resorted to immediately, the insects being in the 

 condition named from about the middle of August variously until the ap- 

 proach of cold weather. 



Second. — The plowing under deeply of the eggs and the thorough harrow- 

 ing of the bare, dry knolls and comparatively small, warm spots where the 

 eggs are deposited, so as to dislodge them from their cells or pods, which 

 destroy their germinating power. New breaking being a favorite resort 

 for such egg deposits, this mode of destruction is readi y available in the 

 ordinary course of farm work, for which purpose these operations should be 

 delayed till as late a period in the fall as practicable. 



Third. — Co-opt rati ve action for the preservation of the prairie grass until 

 the proper season for its burning in the spring, by means of extended lire- 

 guards along township boundaries or other large areas, to be accomplished 

 by means of plowed strips or by wide parallel furrows and the careful hunt- 

 ing of the intervening space. The burning of the grass thus preserved, 

 when filled with the young grasshoppers in the spring, has been found to be 

 a very effectual means for their wholesale destruction. 



Fourth. — The placing of loose straw on or near the hatching places, into 

 which the young insects gather for protection from the cold in early spring, 

 where they may he destroyed by firing the s1 raw at the proper time. To 

 this end straw should be carefully saved and not needlessly destroyed at 

 threshing time. 



Fifth.— The constiuction of deep, narrow ditches, with deeper pits at in- 

 tervals, as a defence against the approaching insects In their infant condi- 

 tion. Into these the y< ung, when comparatively helpless, accumulate in 

 vast numbers, and perish. 



Sixih. — The sowing of grain in "lands" or strips, fifty to one hundred 

 feet wide, leaving narrow vacant spaces through which to run deep furrows 

 and construct ditches into which the young grasshoppers maybe driven ami 

 destroyed. 



Seventh — The catching of the insects at various stages, and especially 

 when young and comparatively inactive, by meaus heretofore employed, and 

 by such improved instruments and process as our experience may suggest. 



Eighth. — And, finally, the driving of the winged and matured enemy from 

 the ripening grain by passing over it stretched ropes continually to and fro, 

 alcU (1 by annoying smoke from burning straw or other smudges, and by loud 

 and discordant noises made by striking tin vessels, and by shrieking and 

 yelling with the voice, which are said to aid in disturbing the pests and in- 

 ducing their flight. 



^XIVEKSITY <>!• MINXKSOTA. 



COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE — MINNEAPOLIS. 



For the information of persons throughout the state who may 

 not be aware of what provision has been made for giving instruc- 



9 9..°,l) 



