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Show 1 Grasshopper War In Algeria. Immense swarms of grasshoppers have Invaded parts of tho country of Algeria and are spoiling lots of things. Two thousand soldiers, nidea by 12,000 Arabs, havo been employed to fight the pest. The roadways present the appearance of a battlefield, and extraordinary efforts are being made to rid the surrounding conntry of thiB insect enemy. This is not the first time that this plague has devastated Algeria. In 1845 the harvests of almost the entire country were destroyed by grasshoppers. From 1747 to 1749 these insects dosolated Algeria, Al-geria, extending their ravages even to parts of Europe. Millions on millions of the dead bodies of these insects are covering at present the great roadway leading from Mascara to Mostaganim, and filling the Bprings and rivers. The task of killing these masses of grasshoppers is no small one. Imagine a district of 100 miles in circumference cir-cumference which not long ago was covered with wheat, tobacco and fig and olivo trees, but now is so densely covered cov-ered with grasshoppers that not a single green branch or leaf can bo seen. For three yeaw a distinguished Parisian naturalist, M. Kunkel, has been studying study-ing how to exterminate these creatures. The best plan seems to be that of stamping stamp-ing the moving, quivering heaps with the bare feet. Shovels and other sharp instruments aro used, but it has been noticod that the elastic layers of grasshoppers grass-hoppers tend to rebound after pressure and only tho layers on top are crushed. Large fires have also been lighted, but the dense smoke arising from the flames is only partly effective in preventing tho descent of these all devouring swarms. New York Sun. |