12 
will refer to the chinech bug. I have examined carefully the estim 
which have been published concerning that particular insect, and t¢ 
following are probably quite reliable and appear to have been mad 
with due regard to all collateral considerations, as the increased yal 
of the saved crop, the cost of remedial measures, and similar subject : 
In 1864 Dr. Shimer’s estimate, which I find was drawn up with very): 
great care, put the loss in the one State of [llinois to the corn and grain 
crops at $73,000,000. In Dr. Riley’s Reports on the Injurious Inseetal 
of Missouri, we find in 1874 there was a reliable estimate of the loss to 
that State by the same insect of $19,000,000. In 1887 Professor 
Osborn’s estimate, founded upon the reports of the correspondents oft | 
the State Agricultural Society of Iowa, put the loss in that State on| 
corn and grain at $25,000,000; and lastly, Mr. Howard’s estimate, as 
given in the entomologist’s report for 1887, for the nine States infested] ;. 
by the chinch bug in that year, was $60,000,000. 4 
Now, gentlemen, I think that these statistics of the injuries to cropsiof 
thing to mitigate this injury. In Professor Comstock’s Report for 1879, 
the estimate of the possible loss in years of general prevalence of the\ 
cotton Aletia is placed at $30,000,000 through the cotton States. 1 
injuries by grasshoppers in the different States of the Union and a 
occasionally through the British North American provinces have beet 
so enormous that figures hardly give an idea of the injury they do, bi 
they are known by all to be enormous. | 
As an instance, however, of what may be done to mitigate their ato 
tacks I would merely mention those for this year, which seem to have e: 
been very considerable. In the States of North Dakota and Minnesot 
jt is probable that at least $400,000 have been saved on account of work! 
done by direct advice of entomologists—work they have in some Ib) q 
stances forced upon the farmers... Two hundred thousand dollars is 4 
probable estimate of the amount saved by plowing the land last autumn! ¢ 
Another equal amount has been saved by the use of “ hopperdozers 
Professor Bruner tells me that a sufficient number of grasshoppers hay 
been actually taken this year, which if left alone and allowed to Ia 
their eggs might next year have devastated the whole crops of those) 
two States and the adjoining parts of Manitoba. These successful oper 
tions have been carried on by the State entomologist of Minnesota, P12 
fessor Lugger, and by Professor Waldron, of North Dakota, ably aide 
by the advice and assistance of the agent of the Department of Ag? 
culture, Professor Bruner, under Professor Riley’s instructions; and} 
think itis no exaggeration to say that at least $400,000 have been at, 
tually saved in hard cash on this year’s crop, not to speak of the enor, 
mous loss which would most probably have followed next year had the 
