The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-06-06
FROM GRAHAM LAKES.

GRAHAM LAKES, May 3Otl, 1874.
EDITOR ADVANCE:-Through all the shifting
scenes and various changes of the seasons we
still live, and never fail to enjoy our ra,ions
when We can get them. Yesterday was 4 gala
day Oh the Island, as the elite of Heron Lake
were here in goody numbers, and with half a
score Of the citizens OF this town, seemed to en-
JOY themselves hugely beneath the inviting
shades Of Island Grove The pastimes were
varied and were INDUCED in witha zest truly re-
freshing. Some OF the more daring launc he'd
the sail craft on East Graham and despite the
stiffness OF the breeze unfurled her snowy can
V;.sS and sped across the rolling sWells and dash
ing white-caps at a rate truly startling to the in
terested spectators on Shore AS the sun rose
higher groups OF mddieaged persons sat be-
meath the shade of the wide-spreading
elm and conversed Of the past, the present and
the untried future: but the most interesting
feature Of the day was the devotion Of warm
hearted lovers who wandered, two by-two on
the grassy slopes Of the Lakes shore, plucking
wild flowers and wreathing them into shapes of
wondrous beauty, presented them as floral offer
lngs OH the shrine of Cupid.
At the approach Of evening the party repaired
to the residence of Mr.. Wolstencroft and indule-
ed in social hop. The Heron Lake folks are
genial in nature and liberal in spirit. and we in
vte them to come again.
The graSshoppers are exciting considerable in
terest here and many are fearful that their raw
ages will excel those of last year. but asyet their
Expectations seem to be confined to special 10.
calitfeS. Some grain fields have already been
considerably damaged by them, yet could we
only have good shower of rain l think even
the damaged crops would recover and come out
all right; but if the drouth continues for any
considerable time, failure in many localities
seems inevitable. Many of the settlers are fear
full over probable results, and express determi-
nation to abandon the country. It's needless to
condemn this or any other locality Oh the vista
ton OF the grasshoppers as alllocaities are sub
ject to similar incursions. Most OF our settlers
have made too many sacrifices and endured too
many hardshps to abandon their dearly earned
claims for causes obtaining at longer or shorter
intervals i'll all the Northern and Western from
tier localities. But what shall we do p
Cheer up! Put your trust in Providence and
don't fail to plant all the corn and SOW all the ru-
tabagas and buckwheat you can, and if these
fail to suffice, aid will he granted by the Govern
mcnt. Governments are for the good OF the
governed, (sometimes) and as the Government
exercises the arbitrary right to draft and merci-
iSoSly 06 iCA ouOJCoIS lIAO Oh tlOTTOIS anu
dang rs Of the military service for self preser-
walton; so likewise when her subjects are over
taken by unfavorable exigencies over which they
have no ontrolit is their right to demand and
receive aid, and we have no doubt whatever that
all needfu supplies will be extended 50 soon as a
proper application is made. Our Government
hesitates not to feed the INDECENT savages who
contribute not a cent to the national wealth.
even at an annual expense Of millions, and can
she not afford to do as much for the
struggling pioneer who is wrestling the national
domain from the grasp Of nature and bringing it
within the pale Of civilization by his own unit
| ring efforts
The grape vines on the Island promise q rich
yield II drouth binders not the development Of
| the clusters. The wood made too strong
growth last season, some vines growing over
twenty feet, and hence much of the wood was
winter-killed, as no protection was offered them
| farther than l00sening them from the stakes and
! laying them on the ground without covering.
| am now convinced that by preventing too rap
| i'd growth of the vines during the Summer,
| that vines will safely winter here without cover
+! Ing or mulching. The vines of my yard show
more signs of prolific bearing than in any other
region lever visited. We can speak from relia-
| BILE premises and say that grape growing will be
success in this locality. More anon.
W. s.