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greatly in favor of the farmer and have been and ai'e against such of the migratory 
species of locusts as love and thrive best in a hot and dry season. This will ac- 
count for the fact that but few locusts have been seen flying long distances. The 
great abundance of moisture has made them sluggish and prevented their flight. 
Long continued moisture is very injurious to insects of that order, and may greatly 
assist us by diminishing their number, by enfeebling many, and by preventing the 
depositing of eggs, except in certain regions well drained. But it would be very un- 
wise to trust entirely to such favorable climatic conditions or to any other natural 
means to help us. We must help ourselves, and only conscientious work will attain 
that end. If favorable climatic conditions should assist us it will still be necessary 
to inspect carefully all infested or even all suspected fields, and have them plowed 
regardless of cost. 
As usual in such cases, the railroads in the infested regions have shown their inter- 
est in the war against the locusts, and thanks are due to both the Great Northern and 
Northern Pacific railroads for furnishing free transportation over their lines. 
Very respectfully, yours, 
Otto Lugger. 
St. Anthony Park, Minn., August 1, 1891. 
THE LOCUST PEST IN IDAHO— SUMMER OF 1891. 
Soon after returning to Lincoln, Nebr., from the Washington meeting 
of the official entomologists of the country, I started for the West to in- 
vestigate the actual condition of the locust plague in central Idaho. Al- 
though the season had advanced beyond the time for the best results 
to be obtained from such an examination, it was still thought advisable 
to visit the region known to have been overrun last year. Especially 
was this thought the proper thing to be done since a number of appeals 
for aid had been received by the Department from citizens of the in- 
fested region. Leaving Lincoln on the morning of the 27th of August, 
Soda Springs, in the southeastern part of Idaho, was reached early on 
the morning of the 27th. At this point the first stop was made for the 
purpose of ascertaining whether or not the locust plague had reached 
this portion of the State. Two days were spent here, during which 
time much of the surrounding country was visited. While no locust 
pest occurred here it was plainly noticeable that Camnula pellucida was 
greatly on the increase since last year's visit. This locust was quite 
abundant upon the hay fields and along all irrigating ditches. Inqui- 
ries among the various ranches from some of the surrounding valleys 
indicated about the same condition of affairs at all points. On the 29th 
I went on as far as McCammon, on the Port Keuff River. Here pellucida 
was also rather commoner than nsual, while Melanoplus atlanis and M. 
femur-rubrum were too plentiful to inspire one with thoughts of peace 
from the standpoint of locust ravages in the near future. Next day a 
stop was made at Pocatello and another at Shoshone. At this latter 
place it was learned that the locusts had been exceedingly numerous 
about four to six weeks previously, having come down Wood River 
from Camas Prairie, doing much damage as they went. A few eggs 
were also reported to have been deposited in several localities below 
