176 Tlie Rocky Mountain Locust. 



rosus), and the Chufa (Cyperus esculentus) are worthy of 

 trial. Turnips, of which the insects are especially fond, 

 kohlrabi, carrots, and the like, may be saved when they 

 come late, by cutting off the tops and covering the roots 

 with earth — the tops making excellent food for milch cows. 

 The earth should be removed again as soon as possible to 

 prevent the rotting of the roots. 



LEGISLATION. 



Too much stress can not be laid on the advantage of co- 

 operation and concert of action, and legislation both to 

 induce and to oblige action is important. In every com- 

 munity there are those who persist in doing nothing to 

 prevent locust injury. These indifferents frequently bring 

 ruin not only upon themselves, but upon more persevering 

 neighbors, and any law will prove beneficial that will 

 oblige every able-bodied man to work one or more days, 

 either in the fall in destroying the eggs, or in the spring in 

 killing the young insects, whenever the township trustees, 

 at the request of a given number of citizens of the town- 

 ship, may call them to such work under special provisions 

 similar to those of existing road laws. 



It is a gratifying indication of the increasing apprecia- 

 tion of economic entomology that, while three years ago 

 the mere suggestion to enact laws for the suppression of 

 injurious insects would have been, and was, received by 

 our legislators with ridicule ; yet, during the winter of 

 1876-7, several States have seen fit to pass acts that have 

 for object the destruction of this locust, or the relief of the 

 suffering and destitution it so often entails — -not to men- 

 tion the appropriation made by Congress for a special 

 investigation. The following are the State laws that have 

 been passed : 



