The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-07-08

How GRAssHOPPERs TAKE FLIGHI \
correspondent of the St Louis Republican,
who has been observing the habits 81 th"
| grasshopper in the interior OF Missouri.
describes their method of taking flight SIS
| follows
"Grasshoppers to sav the least ol them
are queer insects They muster in iorcr
at regular hours, then depart and thi-
programme has been followed without va
ration in that vicinity for the past three,
OF four days. B.tween l0.5 and ! o'ciucl.
A. NJ. they congregate in swarm>, utt,u-
times covering from one-quartcr t. hail al
acre or more. They now begin mancu r-
ing tor a good start, and in order to attain
an altitude fly against the wind in a ig-
Zag manner Large sWarm- soon reach d
great height where they minglc with uthcr
swarmS and thus in vast myriad- pa,-
away to the northeast IestrrIay those
at the highest point went in Il northwc-t-
erly direction, it being observed they Wrrr
carried along with the wind force. \o
accurate conception could be made IN
their height. Shielding the eve with a'
umbrella from the sun, they appear c.,.
vast snow fall. travelling at the rate 1t tt..
miles an hour. From the space ui o.r
hundred feet above ground % au MI.ln'.
beyond correct demonstration turl au.
pear in myrlad5, although ii WAS c.rJ
observed the larger part attained the u.,-
per current beginning their ui-h-
sWarms, they maintain the ~lIur ur..I
throughout. For minutes the -uu- I.Hr
is almost shielded, when f,r trmr u.ur
are observed again to to followed hN u
Hons Of the tiny hosts.
At low attitude barely pl--.u.~ t...
OF tall trees, thousands Of hopper M Iu FELL
VenlureSome way, unable 10 ohttl. pHr
height. In Il few days, however, thr, t,..
sufficient strength and then torm % Il.t ..
the departing multitude, and So Iac i'....
keeps up. The eye grows weary N.jh uU
ward watching, but the mon Ing hu-r- i... u.
Il panorama in the heavens ou Winch N.
tollng husbandmcn gaze with TN -prt.l.
Joy. At noon the procession had rclcI.
It's grandest proportions The yurv5 ,..
pests pour forth in one cNhIIStIc-- -H.t..
their tiny, bright wing gi-tcnin4
silver in the sunlight A hawk. ~u.
at its usual height, was far below the m..'
venturcsome. Toward two o'clock tu.
decrease in numbers. Swans GROW pc.-
ceptibly less, and soon 4 few ~uag@I-
alone are visible, slowly follow Wlng TN.
line of march Another half au hou luI
all have passed for the day
These flights have taken place dlDn J.
the hours named for the past three 90. lu,f
days, and from the best information lcaryrJ
extend eight miles southwest from Wul
sor and several miles northeast ut tut
place, 1t is said by persons that tur-g
pests also fly the same hours duriu1 tbr
night as Il ~, weather permitting thc
flight being plainly dIscernihlr when pt--
ing before the bright moon. Already thrr
hithS of these depredators have departed
During early morning hours myrild~ u
them fly short distances over the prtr"-,
evidently strengthening thcjr wing aa3
preparing themselves tor the gru,r.
hight
Farmers are greatly encouraged g.
localities where field, have been rNag.t
farmers are preparing to ra-plur crru
which, even il it should NOT m.dun. NI.
make excellent cattle feed