Grasshoppers

Tho A meriean Naturalist, in an articlc detailing the routes of migration and otlier matters relating to loenst, says : From the observations nh'oady collected, naturalist have adopted the theoïy that the immedlate cause of the migration of the looilflt from its original breeding placo is the unusunl abundance of the specie during oertain years. The loenst, like most othei insects, ulereases excnssively in dry and warm seasons, and when, for two or more years in succession, siich seasons occur, the conditions most favorable for its developnient are seeured. The secondary cause of its migrations is the necessity for food, whioh, by reason of a superalmndanee of the species in the places of its origin, is quickly exliausted. After once taking to the wing, the insect is at the merey of the winds, and is bome in whatever direction they are blowing. The general course of the winds in the Western States and Territorios is from the west and northwest during July and August, and accordfl with the eastward course of the swarms of locusts in those months. As to the question whether meteorologistíi can predict tlie occurreuce of seasons of undne heat and drought, and consequently of the increased mimbers and migrations .of the loenst, it is believod that, in the lapse of years, this will be possible. As the result of continued observations, it is also thouglit that the destination and the time of arrival of the migratoi-y hordes of locusts may be foretold, and the direction of their return flight in the ensuing year. The supposition is now ventured that the Juni! migrations from the eastern limits of the locust-nrea will be toward tlie northwest, and the July, Angust, and early September migi'ations from the Rocky monntain plateau will be in a general easterly and southerly direction. In summing up the lossos sustained in the United States from the ravages of insects, it is said that "The animal agriculturnl product of this country, by the last census, amounted in value to $2,500,000,000. Of this amount we in all probability annually lose over $200,000,000 from attacks of injurious insects alone. Dr. Riley avers that their losses during 1874 in Missouri from locusts - and it will be remembered only the western third was invaded - exceeding $15,000,000. This would make the losses in other parta of the West at least twice as muota more, or 845,000,000 in all. The estimated nioney loss occasioned by the ! chinch-bug in Illinois in 18G4 was over $73,000,000 ; in Missouri in 1874, it is 1 estimated by Dr. Riley to have lx en $19,000,000. The animal losses from the ehineh-bug are greater, Mr. Riley says, than from any other insect. The average aunual los to the cotton erop from the attaeks of the cotton arniy worm alone is estimated at $50,000,0(K). Adding to these the losses sustained by the attacks ot about 1,000 other sjjecies of inseete which affect our cereals, forage and field crops, fruit tree and shrubs, garI den vegetables, shade and ornamental trees, as wel] as our hard and pine for ests, and stored traite, and it will not be ! thought an exaggeration to put our annual losse at $200,000,000. If the people of this country wonld only look at this animal depletion, this absolute waste, which drags her baokward in the race with the countries of tlie Old World, they might see the necessity of taking eftectual measures in restraining the ravages of insects. With care and forethonght, based on the observance of facts by scientific mm, we believe that from $50,000,000 to $100,000,000, orfrom one-quarter to one-half of this animal waste, eould be savod to the country. j And the practical, most enicient way is for the States to co-operate with the General Government in the employment of salaried entomologista, who should oombiae the resolta of the State officials, and issue weekly, or, if necessary, daily bulletins, perhaps in combination with the Weatlier-Signal Bureau, as to what enemies should be guarded against, and what preventive and remedial measuns should be used. "