Smyrna times., 1874-07-29
Por the SMYRNA Times"
A DeIawarean Among the GrasshOp-
perS.
WoRTHINGroN, MINI, July %, 1874.

WORTHINGT0N, MINI, July %, 1874.
Editor Of the Tmes:-I have noticed fire.
quent mention in your paper of the different
pests to which many parts OF the country are sui
jected Among others have seen mentioned
our own plague, the grasshoppers, and have
thought that some facts concerning them, from
one who has been in the midst of their devas
tations, might be of some interest. Never was
there better prospect for crops than there
was here, up to the lst of July but in a very
brief space of time, the hopes of the people
were dashed to the ground by the r,vageS Of
these insects. Last year, the crops were des-
troyed, and as eggs were deposited IN the
ground, many feared the same result for
another year. Notwithstanding this tear, the
people went forward with their work and put
in their crops. In May, the hoppers began to
make their appearance, and in some sections
the grain was eaten of as soon as 1t appeared
above the ground. Much damage, however,
was not done until after the LIST inst, when
millions of the insects alighted on the beautiful
fields of green grain, aud, in many localities,
destroyed them in few hours. They fly
between the hours OF 9, A. NJ. and 3, P. NJ, and
have the appearance of countless fakes OF snow,
being from 100 to 1000 feet high. They are
governed in their fight by the direction of the
wind. They come in perfect clouds, and when
settled on the grain, give it, in color, the
appearance of the earth. | shall never forget
the sight presented me, when riding out some
weeks since, when perceiving field Of wheat,
not possessing its healthful COLOR but perfect
| ly brown. We drove out into the wheat, when
great clouds of hoppers rose, but soon settled
| again to the work of destruction. | suppose
there were at least twenty. five hOppers to every
stalk of wheat. They are unlike anything |
ever saw in the East In color, they are
yellow or red. Their wings are transparent
when spread, and as fine as gossamer. The
yellow hoppers are about one incb while the
red ones are fully two inches in length. About
two weeks since, all the hoppers, then about us,
arose and took flight for other quarters, in
consequence of which, the people were greatly
discouraged as in this and an adjoining county
on the west, but little damage had been done
! lit is we'll to remark here, that only the
southern counties have been devastated A
few days since, we had an influx from the line
Of the Northern Pacific and many places before
untouched, have been rendered barren.
The earth, in many instances, is as bare as il
burned by fire. No one can picture the desc
latiOn of the country, and what makes it worse
is the fact that it is on the frontier, among
people lily prepared to undergo loss. How
the people will be sustained, it is impossible t
say, but we trust that God will provide fo
them. Governor Davis has begun promptly L
seek assistance, and will do all in his powe
for a people who so much need succor. II
illustrate the poverty of many, will narrate
case: In a town Of this county, one man fol
lowed the plow for seven days, without an,
food, savo boiled greens. This is suffering
10 earnest, and yet the people do not grumble
They have done their part, and overruln
Providence will help them. No country
capable OF producing more abundant harvests
, but occasionally hopes will be frustrated
These depredations are periodical, and as tn
country becomes older and more developed,
will be better able to support itself in subse
: quent deyastations. c.T.D.