398 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTURE. 



which were grafted American pears; prior to that time he had never 

 seen the insects. A year or two afterward they were first noticed, but in 

 small numbers, and since then have been on the increase. Mr. Ooe is 

 the only one in this section of the State who has imported pear-stocks, 

 and his farm was first and for some time the only one infested. The 

 probability is, therefore, that if the insect proves identical with the 

 European species that it was in the pupa state in the lot of stocks re- 

 ceived by the Messrs. Goe, seven years since. The eggs are probably 

 deposited in the flower, as the larvae are found in the young pear im- 

 mediately after it has set. I could gain no information as to whether 

 or no there was a second brood. 



Iu view of all the facts gathered I did not consider it advisable to re- 

 main in Meriden to await the pupation of the insect, as it seems to me 

 this can be better observed in the lot of larvae sent to the Department. 



As to a remedy, the simplest and most complete is that adopted by 

 the Messrs. Coe. In an off year, strip the fruit from the trees and de- 

 stroy it by burning after covering with kerosene, or feed to hogs imme- 

 diately, before the iusects have a chance to leave the pears. As it ap- 

 pears as yet to be local, there seems no reason why a year or two of 

 this process should not entirely destroy the species, but of course there 

 must be concerted action among the farmers, else the pest will keep on 

 increasing, and not unlikely get beyond control. 



NOTES FROM NEBRASKA. 



By Lawrence Bruner, Special Agent. 

 THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN LOCUST. 

 (Caloptenus spretus.) 



During the present year the Rocky Mountain Locust (Caloplenus spre- 

 tus) has appeared in small numbers at various points throughout East- 

 ern and Central Nebraska, but at no place have I learned of its being 

 in sufficient numbers to particularly injure crops, or even to cause, on 

 the part of farmers, an apprehension of a future invasion. On the 18th 

 of June quite a number of larvae and pupae were observed at a point 

 about 2 miles to the east of Stanton, Stanton County. These were 

 on the open prairie along the roadside, and upon investigation it was 

 ascertained that very few, if any, had found their way into the neigh- 

 boring grain fields. 



Three weeks later, when the locality was again visited, it was found 

 that most of the young had attained wings, and were already on the 

 move, having spread over the surrounding couutry for a distance of a 

 mile or more. Specimens were now observed to be quite plentiful within 

 less than a mile of Stanton. Winged individuals were also numerous 

 at the point where the young had been observed previously, and where 

 they had in all probability hatched. 



Inquiries have since been made regarding these locusts, but I have 

 thus far been unable to learn of their further movements. It is sup- 

 posed, however, that they simply spread over the adjacent country, and 

 that nothing further will be heard of them. 



I have kept close observation, and have made many inquiries during 

 the summer iu reference to locust flights, but have seen none nor have 



