30 
As Mr. Langseth claimed to have his ‘‘Soil Renewer and In- 
sectiede” patented through Ex-Governor Nelson, while that 
gentleman was in Washington, and as Mr. Nelson in his letter 
simply stated that Mr. Langseth claimed to have a patent, the 
writer was curious to probe the matter to the bottom, and he 
consequently wrote directly to the U. S. Patent Office. To his 
great astonishment he received the following copy of the patent: 
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 
Olavus C. Langseth, of Grand Forks, Dakota Territory. 
INSECTICIDE. 
Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,065, dated Decem- 
ber 25, 1888. 
Application filed October 16, 1888. Serial No. 288,258. (No specimens.) 
To all whom itt may concern: 
Be it known that I, Olavus C. Langseth, a citizen of the United States, 
residing at Grand Forks, in the county of Grand Forks, and Territory of 
Dakota, have invented a new and useful Composition of Matter to be 
Used for the Destruction of Chinch-bugs, of which the following is a 
Specification. 
My composition consists of the following ingredients, combined in the 
proportions stated, viz: ground ginger, one pound; salt, one pound. 
These ingredients are to be thoroughly mingled and put up in merchant- 
able packages. 
In using the above-named composition, if the season bedry, the powder 
may be added to sixteen gallons of water and applied immediately after 
the grain has been removed from the ground; but if the season be wet the 
powder may be spread apon the ground broadcast or by means ofa drill 
or other suitable mechanical appliance, allowing the rain to dissolve the 
matter and impregnate the earth therewith. 
The compound may be mixed with grain and applied at seeding time, 
thus saving time and labor. 
If the composition be used in liquid form, a sprinkler such as is used 
in cities in watering streets will probably produce the best results; but 
where such an one cannot be obtained, or if it should prove too expensive, 
a substitute may be improvised by attaching an ordinary garden or lawn 
hose to a faucet or hollow tube inserted near the bottom of a barrel 
mounted upon a wagon, cart, or other suitable conveyance. 
By the use of this compound, either in liquid form or powdered state, 
every chinch-bug in a field may be destroyed, and ground impregnated 
with it will not be invaded by the pests. 
What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United 
States, is— 
The herein-described composition of matter prepared in merchantable 
packages ready for the user, to be used in the destruction of chinch-bugs 
