Abstract:

Locust outbreaks have occurred around the world throughout history. But they did not pose a serious problem in the United States until the explosion of westward settlement in the aftermath of the Civil War. An insect known as the Rocky Mountain locust, which became migratory when under environmental stress, was the culprit. Earlier outbreaks had created problems for farmers in the Great Plains, but the massive infestation in the mid-1870s caused extensive damage and threatened to halt the nation's expansion to the Pacific. An unlikely ally in the fight against the locusts came in the form of the network of weather observers belonging to the US Army Signal Corps. In conjunction with its mission for providing military communications, the Signal Corps became responsible for establishing and operating the US weather bureau from 1870 to 1891. Its national network of weather stations was well suited for providing reports on the locust outbreaks. Working with the commission of professional scientists formed to study the problem and find solutions, the Signal Corps' observers contributed vital information to support that effort. The partnership between the commission and the army represented an early attempt by the federal government to use applied science to tackle a national problem. Ultimately, the farmers themselves brought about the demise of the Rocky Mountain locust. By cultivating the locust's breeding grounds in the river valleys and using the land for grazing, the farmers drove the Rocky Mountain locust to extinction.

摘要：

纵观历史，世界各地都发生过蝗灾。但直到南北战争结束后向西定居点激增，它们才在美国构成严重问题。罪魁祸首是一种被称为落基山蝗虫的昆虫，它在环境压力下开始迁徙。早期的爆发给大平原的农民带来了问题，但 1870 年代中期的大规模侵扰造成了广泛的破坏，并威胁要停止该国向太平洋的扩张。在与蝗虫的斗争中，一个不太可能的盟友是以隶属于美国陆军信号部队的气象观测员网络的形式出现的。1870 年至 1891 年，为了履行其提供军事通信的使命，通信兵开始负责建立和运营美国气象局。它的国家气象站网络非常适合提供蝗虫爆发的报告。信号兵团的观察员与为研究问题和寻找解决方案而成立的专业科学家委员会合作，为支持这项工作提供了重要信息。该委员会与军队之间的合作代表了联邦政府利用应用科学解决全国性问题的早期尝试。最终，农民自己导致了落基山蝗虫的灭亡。通过在河谷开垦蝗虫繁殖地并利用土地放牧，农民们将落基山蝗虫赶尽杀绝。信号兵团的观察员与为研究问题和寻找解决方案而成立的专业科学家委员会合作，为支持这项工作提供了重要信息。该委员会与军队之间的合作代表了联邦政府利用应用科学解决全国性问题的早期尝试。最终，农民自己导致了落基山蝗虫的灭亡。通过在河谷开垦蝗虫繁殖地并利用土地放牧，农民们将落基山蝗虫赶尽杀绝。信号兵团的观察员与为研究问题和寻找解决方案而成立的专业科学家委员会合作，为支持这项工作提供了重要信息。该委员会与军队之间的合作代表了联邦政府利用应用科学解决全国性问题的早期尝试。最终，农民自己导致了落基山蝗虫的灭亡。通过在河谷开垦蝗虫繁殖地并利用土地放牧，农民们将落基山蝗虫赶尽杀绝。该委员会与军队之间的合作代表了联邦政府利用应用科学解决全国性问题的早期尝试。最终，农民自己导致了落基山蝗虫的灭亡。通过在河谷开垦蝗虫繁殖地并利用土地放牧，农民们将落基山蝗虫赶尽杀绝。该委员会与军队之间的合作代表了联邦政府利用应用科学解决全国性问题的早期尝试。最终，农民自己导致了落基山蝗虫的灭亡。通过在河谷开垦蝗虫繁殖地并利用土地放牧，农民们将落基山蝗虫赶尽杀绝。