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The method was to examine at least 10 1-square-foot samples of sur- 
face soil or sod and record the number of M. mexicanus pods found therein. 
At each place of examination an average number of pods per square foot was 
determined and recorded. The range land was arbitrarily divided into two 
parts. The one part was called adjacent to crop and included all range land 
within 1 mile of crop land. The other was designated as open range and in- 
cluded all that which was recorded as beyond the 1-mile limit. There we re 
1,558 fields and range areas examined in both surveys. The results are 
compiled in tables, which are self-explanatory. So far as possible the 
number of pods per square foot were recorded for the cropped fields in the 
vicinity of the range and idle lands . observed. The following is an excerpt 
from the report made by R. A. Roberts summarizing the results of his 
"Survey of tile Range and Idle Lands of the Northern Great Plains Area in 
Relation to Infestations of Melanoplus mexicanus : 11 
"The writer made a survey of this territory beginning September 11, 
1938, and concluded October 23. Briefly, the survey began at Glendive, 
Mont., extended southeast to Sully County, S. Dak.; north to Bismarck, 
N. Dak.; northwest to Plentywood, Mont.; west along the Canadian border 
to Opheim, Mont.; south to Torrington, Wyo. ; east to Alliance, Nebr. ; and 
north to Bowman, N. Dak. Generally speaking the infestation, as indicated 
by egg deposition, was lightest in the eastern pant of the Dakotas, increas- 
ing to heavy in central North Dakota and being very heavy along the Canadian 
line and in eastern Montana. Two heavy areas were found in Wyoming — the 
Crook-Weston Counties area and the Niobrara area. Idle land appeared to 
be infested to about the same extent as crop land, although the figures 
are not so conclusive as those obtained in the general survey, favored 
places in idle land consist of land idle about 2 years where black prairie 
soil has settled firmly. Sandy loam is also favorable. Eggs are frequent- 
ly deposited under last season's Russian- thi stle, this year's Russian- 
tfcj stle, and Amaranthus (recumbent form). The longer the land lies idle 
the more nearly it resembles pasture land, being marked by increase in 
grasses and decrease in weeds. This should lead to a corresponding de- 
crease in the number of M. mexicanus eggs found. The decrease could not 
be expected until the change in flora has occurred. Range land adjacent 
to crop land is nearly always overrun by Russian- thi sties and it is fairly 
easy to find egg pods under these weeds. Low-growing, bushy sage clumps 
were found to be favored locations and many egg pods were found under sage 
plants. Search in dense sod was very disappointing, more pods being found 
in light areas of bunchgrass and other western grasses. On open range 
clumps of sage and occasional weeds appeared to be the best places to 
search for eggs. An open range area of unusual significance was found in 
the piney-butte area in Garfield County, Mont., between Fort Peck and 
Jordan. In this area where no crops were present, stops were made every 5 
miles with average egg pods as follows; 0.4, 0.2, 0.8, 1.2, and 0.2. At 
one of these stops 31 egg pods were found in a single 1-foot-square sample 
taken under a Russian- thi stle by the roadside, but this sample was not 
counted. Although in general, egg deposition was light on open range, 
it is obvious that in areas of heavy adult population where no crops are 
present oviposition will necessarily take place. It is suggested that in 
the future examinations in these areas be made in sage clumps and other 
favorable locations." 
