The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-06-06
THE GRA26HOPPERG.

Mr.. Wilson, Private Secretary to the
Governor, has been on a visit to the
grasshopper district to ascertain, as far
as possible, the present and prospective
obstruction of crops. He visited this
county on Wednesday, and with Prof:
Humiston spent the greater part OF the
day riding over the country and visit
ing the farmers. He was surprised to
find that so little harm had been done
to crops. Several farmers who were
reported as having lost all their crops,
were visited, and their fields were found
but slightly injured. Here and there,
fields have been taken, but they found
nowhere, land we have not heard Of
any in the county, that the whole crop
on any one farm had been taken. Mr..
Fletcher, just north of town has suffer
ed considerable destruction of wheat.
Mr.. Heckell, near him, has had about
10 acres of oats cut off. Mr.. Sheumak-
er, i'll the northern part of Fairview
township, lost his garden, and has had
his fields cut some. Mr.. Madison, in
the same township, loses about 10
acres Of oats. We hear that the des-
truction is worst in Seward township,
and that Mr.. Cosper has had all his
W eat cut off. On Monday we rode to
Graham Lakes, and saw very few indi-
cations Of the grasslopper. Near the
Lakes, we found them thick in one
place, but saw little evidence Of their
having cut the crops.
There is no doubt they are flying away
as fast AS they hatch, and that we shall
soon he rid Of them. 1t is now nearly
four weeks since they began to hatch,
and so far they have injured the crops
but slightly. 1t is not possible that
there are many more eggs to hatch, and
we regardthe danger from our own hatch
as about over. Our danger now is that
there may he a vandal invasion from
the northwest, though from all we can
learn there are not many in that direc-
ton. They seem to move eastward
and southeastward.
Thus far two or three per cent. will
cover all the loss to crops, and We VEN
ture the prediction that the loss this
season will not reach ten per cent.
throughout the grasshopper district.
The st. Paul Press has the following
dispatches
From Mountain Lake: Some farm
ers report injury to portions Of crops,
others no damage.
From Window: Considerable DAM
age. Grasslloppers still Matching. If
they continue long in the country crops
will suffer.
From Hersey: Grasshoppers plenty.
Crops look we'll, and but little dam
aged.
From Sheldon: Grasshoppers plen-
ty. No harm done, and rapidly leav-
ing. Crops looking we'll.
From st. James REPORTS from
farmers favorable. But little damage
done 10y the grasshoppers, they appear
to be moving South.
RAIN.
On Tuesday and Thursday mornings
Of this week this part of the State was
visited by soaking rains unaccompa-
MED by thunder and lightning. The
rain poured down in vertical columns
and was speedily taken up by the
ground, which left scarcely drop to
run off into the Lakes. The effect up
on vegetation has been excellent, and
farmers are enthusiastic at the appear
ance of the crops. We have heard the
word ''splendid'' used constantly du-
ring the week when speaking of the
crops and the prospect of a bountiful
harvest.
We are still strong in our faith that
a bountiful harvest awaits US. The on
ly ''burden" at present is the grasshop.
per, and we wish to repeat what we
have before said that our people suffer.
ed much more from wet weather and
ill-prepared land last year than they
did from the grasshopper. This year
the land is in good condition, the sea-
son is favorable and the grasshoppers
are taking to themselves wings and fly.
ing away.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ELECTIONS
The Methodist and the Union Con.
gregational Sunday Schools have cleo.
ted officers for the ensuing year, as fol.
lows:
METHODIST.
Superintendent. Z. Sutton. Sec.
retary-Wm. Humiston. Treasurer
H. ID. Humiston. Librarian-Thos.
Crever. Assistant Librarian-Alme.
4 4 ~.