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" MKW± UK foremost scientists of
■ the world have been
LJM agreed for the last decade
£•« that the crucial struggle
of humanity will not be
that of nations warring
for territory which each
envies the other, but will
1/ ^ be a colossal battle to
^ keep from being driven off
the earth itself! And in this battle It
will be mankind against bugs!
By its fecundity, its enormous com
parative strength—sometimes equiva
lent of what would be, if the bug were
as large as a horse, 1,000-horsepower
and in its inextinguishable passion
ate and concentrated will to live and
its enormous adaptibility the insect
kingdom makes the human race ap
pear incredibly inefficient.
Civilization has for the last twenty
years and more been steadily over
turning the balance of nature, which
has kept the insect kingdom down, and
this scientists throughout the world
have recognized Within half that
time what amounts to a world-wide
organization has been formed to find
and make known to all who care
the best ways to cope with the fast
growing swarms which menace hu
manity. It is recognized that only by
a tireless, long and costly and dan
gerous struggle will man be able to re
tain his dominance and freedom to de
velop his world.
The latest warning of this peril to
humanity has been sounded in a most
remarkable fashion by Prof. C. A.
Ealand, one of the foremost entomolo
gists of the world and the late prin
cipal of the East Anglian college of
agriculture of England. Professor
Ealand begins his remarkable work,
which he calls “Insects and Man,"
with the following statement:
"It is fortunate for man that the in
sect world is a house divided against
itself. Except for this check the hu
man race would be extinct in five or
six years."
The fecundity of many insects is
enormous. Huxley estimated that,
mishaps apart, a single green fly would
in ten generations produce a mass of
organic matter equivalent to 500,000,
000 human beings, or as many as the
whole population of the Chinese em
pire!
f rom the earliest times man has suf
fered from insect damage to his crops,
his live stock and himself. Locust
plagues rivaling those of Egypt have
come to man from time to time.
The United States suffers damage
annually to the extent of $40,000,000
owing to the depredations of the Hes
sian fly: the cotton boll weevil causes
an annual loss of $30,000,000; the cod
ling moth $15,000,000, and the chinch
hug $7,000,000. Add to'this the dam
age done by gypsy and brown-tail
moths and tne San Jose scale, to say
nothing of the host of minor pests,
and the total assumes alarming pro
portions.
The struggle for supremacy between
'.nsects and man is a very real one
the world over.
But only by ceaseless struggle can
man keep his dominance. In his fight
against insects and bugs he has ar
rayed against him an incredible fecun
dity and power of destruction.
The majority of people—unscientific
people, that is—says Professor Ealand,
think that the locust is the most de
structive insect. This is partly be
cause of the Biblical plague having
been fixed in their minds. The lo
custs have done more damage in South
Africa and hindered agricultural prog
SNAPSHOTS
Next to a holiday Sunday is the
longest day of the year.
Mrs. Tug Watts, who is taking on
weight, should have a new pair of
trousers. Her husband's are becom
ing entirely too small for her..
Every advertiser seems to think his
remedy for eczema the best one.
Red Cloud is dead. But, inasmuch
as Red Cloud hadn’t rained a drop for
40 yoars, his demise is of interest only
to the bereaved relatives.
An ornery man s dog sticks to his
master. But a good man’s dog disap
pears, leaving no clue.
It is cheaper to go by way of the
water wagon, and that will account
for a number of the fares. *
The men may have their faults, but
there is this to s-’y for them, they do
not kiss each other.
There is a theory to the effect that
when a country dog cvroao to town he
’Wfe- spends the day guarding his master's
wagon. As a matter of fact, when a
country dog tomes io town he spends
: Hi the day roystering with the town
*H dogs.
ress there more than anywhere else
in the world. In one winter alone the
locust damage in South Africa was es
timated at $5,000,000.
To cope with the insects the govern
ment has established a central bureau
for watching them. Flights can be
predicted and measures taken to min
imize them.
In the latter half of 1912 locust
swarms did $10,000,000 damage in our
own island of Visaya, in the Philip
pines.
While the locust is prolific the cot
ton weevil beats him. Professor
Ealand estimates that one weevil lay
ing her 139 eggs by June 10 would
probably bring half that number—say
75—to maturity by June 29. - There
are at least four generations in a sea
son. and the second generation would
number about 2,450; the third 85,750,
and the last and final generation 1,
001,250, or a total of 3,089,520 indi
viduals as the progeny of a single pair
of weevils and their progeny in a sea
son. That is to say. one weevil for
every square foot of area in a 75-acre
field. As over 50 per cent are de
stroyed by natural conditions, it is
doubtful if the actual increase in one
season from a single pair ever ex
ceeds 2,000,000. Alarming figures in
all conscience, exclaims the entomolo
gist.
This is only one of a vast number of
insects that man has to fight against.
Next come the disease carriers.
First in deadliness is the mosquito,
which infests man with malaria, yel
low fever and filariasis. Many parts
of the tropics and localities otherwise
most desirable are practically unin
habitable to civilized man, owing to
the ravages of malaria.
Malaria has been held responsible
for the wiping out of the ancient
Greeks.
Not health alone, but man's very
pockets are affected by this overmas
tering incubus. The mosquito piague
has been responsible for arresting the
development of the w’hole state of
New Jersey.
Malaria is a country rather than a
town disease. It was once supposed
to be caused by dwelling in damp
and marshy places, and even now the
belief dies hard in the minds of many
people, but it has been proved beyond
dispute that by the bite of infected
mosquitoes, and by that means alone,
can this dread disease be transmitted
iruiu mail iu man.
Various estimates have been made
as to the number of bacteria that may
be carried about the body of a single
healthy, active iiy. One investigator,
Torry, puts the number at 28,000,000
in its intestine and 4,500,000 on the
outer surface. Esten and Mason, by
careful experiment, found that the
number of external bacteria varied
from 550 to over 6,500,000; other ob
serve'! s have put the number as high
as 500,000,000 per fly. The numbers
seem incredible. That one house fly
can carry about its body as many as
500,000,000 germs is almost beyond be
lief, yet the estimated number is not
the result of guesswork, but of care
ful experiment. Looking at the mat
ter from the most favorable point of
view, and supposing each fly to carry
only 550 bacteria from place to place,
the supposition, says Professor Eaiand,
is not pleasant.
The dreadful infantile paralysis has
been discovered to be carried by the
stable fly.
Then there is the sleeping sickness,
which is' carried by the tsetse fly.
Whole districts of Africa are absolute
A former society whale of this city
ha? been landed by a girl who was
lishing for sun perch. As has often
been pointed out, it all depends on the
bait.
Eph Wiley says the surgeons who
are bragging about the new anesthet
ic never heard his wife’s preacher.
Removing Obdurate Screw.
To remove an obdurate screw, apply
a redhot Iron to the head for a short
time, the screwdriver being used im
mediately while the screw is hot.
Valuable Employee.
“I never hear of Walker, the pedes
trian, any more. What’s become of
him?” “He's working for a real es
tate concern, establishing records be
tween the houses they sell and the sta
tion. When they tell a man a house
is ten minutes’ walk from the station,
they are in a position to prove it.”
Bride’s Dilemma.
The Bride—“I hate having to thank
those horrid Smiths for that awful
tea set. It seems sinful to lie for
the sake of people one doesn’t like."
ly uninhabitable because of this dis
ease.
Come next the armies of ticks. It
has been shown by experiment that
one variety of these which feeds upon
human blood will weigh after a meal
ten times its original Weight. Some
species increase to thirty times their
original weight. Imagine, says Pro
fessor Ealand, a hungry 200-pound man
weighing 6,000 pounds after a single
meal, or even after many meals! Re
lapsing fever, spotted fever, a pecu
liarly deadly disease called verruga,
are given man by ticks.
Then there are the lice which carry
typhus and a form of inflammatory
rheumatism, and the fleas, which
transmit plague to man.
As for the hosts that attack the
domestic animals and transmit to them j
disease, were it not for natural checks
and the vigilance of man there would
not be a single animal left in the
world within ten years!
It is this matter of natural checks,
the equilibrium which nature has pro
vided against these most prolific of
her children, that is now most wor
rying the scientists.
Up until comparatively recent times
great quantities of insects were used
for medicine, for dyes and so on, but
this use has steadily lessened, and
with the lessening naturally the in
sects have increased.
The practice of the control of insect
pests by their natural enemies is one
of modern times, for the earliest rec
ord pf work on anything approaching
a commercial scale, dates back by 25
years. It is based on the assumption
that all nature is in a state of equili
brium—that is to say. that all life, in
its native home, is kept in check by
oilier forms of life which prey upon
it. More than thirty distinct parasites
and seven kinds of predatory beetles
have been introduced into the United
States to wage war on the gypsy and
brown-tail moths, says Professoi
Ealand.
it win be recognized, says Profes
sor Ealand. that unless a parasite
shows greater fertility than its host,
its power of controlling the lattei
must be very greatly diminished. In
this connection nature has come to
the rescue in a marvelous manner by
endowing many of the parasites with
the power of "polyembryony,” a
phenomenon that is unique in the an
imal kingdom. Parasites so endowed
lay eggs similar in external form tc
those of their less fortunate relations,
but from each egg emerges in due
course not one larva, but a numbei
of larvae, and by this means theii
fertility is much increased.
A second and still more modern
method of natural insect control is car
ried into effect by means of fungoid I
disease of insects. These fungoids are i
scattered over large plantations with |
a dusting machine. All the insects in
fected carry the disease to their nu
merous relatives.
The fight. indicates Professoi
Ealand, is only at its beginning. Man
will probably win, but even if he does
the bug, through its persistence, will
outlive him.
The Macdonald Clans.
The Macdonald Clan is by right oi
antiquity, power, and numbers usually
accorded premier place among the
great families of Scotland. In addi
tion to the Clan of MacDonald itself,
there are MacDonald of Clanranald,
Macdonnel of Glengarry, MacDonald
of the Isles and Sleat and MacDonald
of Staffa.
Hard Things of Life.
Hard things that come our way are
not hard when we do them. They are
hard only when we don't do them or
when we do them imperfectly. Duty
Is not hard when it is cheerfully and
vigorously done. Duty is hard only
when it is not properly met—that Is,
when it is done without good will, or
when it is not done at all.
What’s the Use?
He—Do you know Poe’s “Raven”?
She—Why, no, what’s the matter
with him?—Club Fellow.
Would Outgrow IL
A Louisville journalist was exces
sively proud of his little boy. Turn
ing to the old black nurse, "Aunty,’’
said he, stroking the little pate, “this
boy seems to have a journalistic head.”
"Oh,” cried the untutored old aunty,
soothingly, "never you mind ’bout dat;
dat’ll come right in time.”
Creating a Nuisance.
An odd assortment of hearts to a
woman who does not want them Is
really a confounded nuisance._W. J.
Locke In Septimus.
HUMANE TREATMENT DECREAS
ES CRIME, SAYS WARDEN.
HONOR SYSTEMHAS IIS EFFECT
Fenton Tells Heads of State Institu
tions What Has Been Done at
Pen During Past 3 Years.
Lincoln.—Humane treatment, prop
erly cooked and wholesome food and
the honor system have combined to
reduce the criminal class of Nebras
ka 15 per cent, Warden W. T. Fenton
told heads of the fifteen Nebraska
state institutions last week under
whose supervision they are.
The warden told briefly of the re
forms accomplished at the peniten
tiary during the past three years, in
cluding the abolishing of the dope
traffic, improving the food, starting a
prison school, where men are now
taught practical business methods
and trades, allowing the men the
freedom of the yard on Sundays and
holidays, introduction of baseball and
moving pictures and the adoption of
a set of rules with less vigorous
penalties than before. Dr. W. M.
Baxter, speaking on the need of a
state dentist, pointed out that the
state employed a veterinarian to look
after its prize cattle, but neglected
its unfortunates most shamefully.
Some of the inmates at the state in
stitutions suffer much pain because
of the lack of dental attention, Di.
Baxter declared. Superintendent F.
\Y. Booth of the school for the deaf
presented a paper in favor of the
oral training for the deaf. At the Ne
braska school for the deaf 102 pupils
were using the oral system instead of
the sign language, according to
Booth.
io t-iii up uuara.
Immediate steps to round out
the membership of the national guard
and make it not only up to, but
byond requirements, will be taken by
General Hall. The commanding offi
cer of the organization made
trips to Gordon, Gothenburg and inter
mediate towns during the past week
and took a look over organizations
which have been clamoring for admit
tance. General Hall has made a clear
distinction between preparedness—as
far as he is able to reflect the presi
dent's wishes—and what some people
term “peace.” He argues that pre
paredness does not mean war by any
means. He believes it is insurance
against war. and that it is the same
kind of protection to the nation that
police forces are to the cities and
sheriffs’ staffs are to the counties of
the state. "If we are to have an ar
my and a navy.” says the general,
"we must have them up to a point
where they are worth something. It
would he folly for us to delude our
celvts into beleving that we had real
protection when a time came we ac
tually needed it and it proved to be
weak and ineffectual.” The general
is nopefii1 that no smalt amount of
attention will be given by the coming
congress to the upbuilding of tlie na
tional guard organizations of the var
ious states. He believes that the more
men who can see voluntary service in
the guards, the greater will be their
respect for law. and the greater will
be their worth to the country and to
themselves because of the discipli
nary training which it offers.
Thomas Back from Kearney.
State Superintendent Thomas has
returned from Kearney, where he
looked after some work in connection
with his department. He brought
back with him a picture of a mile of
road which has been built by Buffalo
county adjoining the west line of the
city of Kearney along the Lincoln
highway. The road is fifteen feet
wide and is made of cement. It is
the intention of the county officials,
Mr. Thomas learned, to build two
miles more if the present road fills
the requirements.
May Pay Occupation Tax.
Indications that all express com
panies have decided to bow to the
provisions of the Smith 2 pet cent oc
cupation tax are apparent at the
state house. The Adams Express Co.
has made its payment, and the Wells
Fargo sent word it would do so as
soon as a minor point with relation to
money order revenue of the company
is settled. The tax will amount to
about $20,000 a year.
Suffragists Turned Down.
The delegation of suffragists com
posed of Sarah Field, Oregon; Fran
ces Jolisse of San Francisco and Ma
bel Vernon, who are treking across
the country in automobiles carrying a
petitinon to congress asking that that
body give the women a chance at the
ballot, were not successful in getting
the name of Governor Morehead on
their petition.
McKelvIe for Governor.
Former Lieutenant Governor Mc
ICelvie will be a candidate for the
republican nomination for governor.
Petitions which have been quietly cir
culated over the state are beginning
to reach Lincoln and it is said that
when a sufficient number have ac
cumulated. they will be taken to the
state house and filed. It is said that
E. H. Marshall of Lincoln is back of
the petition movement and has been
sending out letters accompanied
with blank petitions asking that
these be signed up and returned.
Rutenbeck Very III.
State Game Warden Gus Ruten
beck is still very ill with typhoid fe
ver at his residence in Lincoln, and
Is not permitted to see friends who
call at the house. Physicians have
hopes that he will be able to pull
through.
Fairbury Wants Bridge.
The following Junior Agricultural
Short Courses have been scheduled
by the AgricuPu'al Extension Serv
ice: November 8 to 12;
Scoott-*' to 19 _
BELGIAN SCOUTING PARTY IN FLANDERS
Here is a Belgian scouting party dressed in khaki uniform making its way stealthily over a pontoon bridge
‘‘somewhere’* in Flanders.
INSPECTING ENGLISH GIRL GUARDS
Following the lead of the Boy Scouts, the girlhood of England is organizing
Guards. These little women are taught rudimentary household and social welfare
them and their country when they grow up. The picture shows the duchess of
inspecting the Guard of Honor of the First Harrow company at Harrow, England.
into companies known as Girl
facts which will be of use to
Marlborough (in white at left)
PRESIDENT WILSON LAYS CORNERSTONE
pl . -maam
» .. 'll '■. . I. ... J
President Wilson is shown in the accompanying picture officiating at
the cornerstone laying exercises at the huge memorial amphitheater now
being built in Arlington National cemetery as a tribute to the heroes
< ‘ the Civil war.
BELGRADE’S FORTRESS WALL SHATTERED
The effect of heavy artillery fire on the walls of a fort Is well shown In
this photograph of part of the fortress of Belgrade after it had been shelled
by the Austro-Uerman guns.
BRIEF INFORMATION
Berlin scientists have invented a
nourishing yeast, containing more than
per cent albumen, prepared from
Btfgar and ammonium sulphate.
" Dowager Queen Alexandra of Eng
land, who recently celebrated her sev
entieth anniversary, is showing a
great interfest in the war. especially
ir. the fortunes of the officers at the
front whom she has known personally.
If they return wounded she visits
them in tbe'hosp'.tala.
Children may not be seen in the
streets of Bergen, Norway, after a
certain hour, which varies with the
season. The church bells of the town
peal a signal for them to return home,
and the police see to it that they
obey.
.lames Thomas Ross, a famous Eng
lish "fence,” has been sentenced to
three years' imprisonment. Before
the authorities discovered his real oc
cupation he passed as an eminently
respectable manufacturer of muf
fins.
WOMEN MAKING SHELLS
In the ammunition factories of
France as well as of England women
have largely taken the place of men.
One of them is here seen working on
shells that are not yet bored.
Always Working Garb.
James Keir Hardie, the British labor
leader, whose death is announced,
never relinquished his working-class
garb, and many were the occasions
when his rough attire led to mistakes
on the part of others. One story is
that Keir Hardie, then many years ah
M. P., was challenged by a policeman
outside the house of commons. Ths
officer asked Mr. Hardie if he waa
working there. "Yes.” “On the roof?"
(which was undergoing repair). “No,”
answered the leader of the indepen
dent labor party, “on the floor.” An
other time a landlady refused to let
him have rooms until he gave refer
ences—he looked too rough. The good
woman was astonished when Mr. Har
die named a number of the most prom
inent men in commons. He was ar
rested in Belgium a few years ago o*
suspicion of being in collusion with a
notorious anarchist whom the police
had detained. The Belgian police nev
er could understand why a British M.
P. was not elaborately attired.
Loud-Speaking Telephone.
In England there has appeared a
new telephone device which renders
possible the summoning of a subscrib
er back to the telephone after he has
been asked to “hold the wire” while
the party at the other end is looking
up some desired information. The de
vice is in reality a loud-speaking horn.
If the subscriber called does not wish
to hold the receiver to his ear, he can
place it over the horn and go about
his duties. The calling party’s voice
is so amplified that he may be heard
throughout a room.