Practical Considerations. 



169 



PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 



The measures so far recommended have in view the de- 

 struction of the insects when once they are upon us. The 

 question very naturally arises, "Can not something be 

 done to prevent the incursions of the species into the 

 more fertile States in which it is not indigenous ? " 



The most important results are likely to flow from a 

 thorough study of the Rocky Mountain Locust in its 

 native haunts and breeding places, such as the U. S. En- 

 tomological Commission is now engaged in. By learning 

 just when and how to strike the insect, so as to prevent, 

 if possible, its undue multiplication there — whether by 

 some more extensive system of irrigation, based on im- 

 proved knowledge of the topography and water supply 

 of the country, or by other means of destroying the eggs 

 - — we may hope to protect the fertile States to the East 

 from future calamity. 



One of the best means of checking the increase of the 

 species in its native haunts, will be found in the encourage- 

 ment and increase of its natural enemies, especially the 

 game birds. The introduction of the English sparrow has 

 been recommended. From what I know of the bird, both 

 here and in its native country, I should expect little aid 

 from it in this line, and if it can thrive to the Northwest, 

 it will soon spread there, as it is rapidly multiplying at 

 several points along the Mississippi. We may expect 

 more good from the encouragement of native locust-feed- 

 ing species. Prof. Thomas has suggested that induce- 

 ments be offered to the Indians to collect and destroy the 

 eggs and young along the west side of the plains. Some 

 system of preventing the extensive prairie fires in fall that 

 are common in the country where the insect naturally 

 breeds, and then subsequently firing the country in the 



