The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-07-16

'Hoppcs F6m Mites Square, and 225 Fee
LEyh, in iS0ld .NuSs Pass Orcr 0Rc SiRqle
CoHnty-I&e Whole 1ymy lNahes Solid
Cubic Mile Of GrasshoPpcys.
The gr0sshopper question has at length as
sumed stupendous proportions and alarming
Importance.
All cur histories, theories and prophecies
of 1874 are upset by the facts of 1875.
Then we said that the only prolific and
durable home of this pest is the high, dry,
hot and stony plateaus Of Arizona and New
Mexico; that away from their fatherland
they suddenly degenerate and perish in the
third generation. Then, we said that ex,
| cept in one county in Kansas no egg depos-
| its were made that would hatch this year
| that one portion of the army Of 1874 propa-
gated early in the season, and their progeny
laid eggs which Matched before the early
frosts, and the tender hoppers persisted; that
the remaining portion came too late and laic
no eggs.
Now, what are the facts? Grasshopper,
have hatched out in every county in Kansa,
and Nebraska and in portions Of Dakota
Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri while il
south eastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas anC
western Missouri, where the scourge wa,
comparatively light in 1874, such an army
has come forth from the ground and perpe
trated such ruin, as had not been known il
the history of this pest.
Thus all our wise entertainments prove
fallacious, and we might as well stop proph
esyng.
Much, however, as we are in the dark re-
specting their past and much more as we arc
in the dark respecting their future, several
things may be put down as certain and 9th
ers rs probable, and taken together, these
facts and probabilities present a most ap
palling view of the situation:
l, The American locust will acclimat(
and thrive in any part of the continent.
his eggs will live through such long sever,
winter rs last winter was in Minnesota and
Nebraska, pressed in solid frozen earth, ther
they will endure any winter that will evel
occur on the continent.
2. They are increasing in numbers anC
general distribution, and getting farther east
year by year. We know this from personal
observation for the last thirteen years.
3. Wherever hatched, their custom is tC
rise up in swarms and migrate, when fully
fledged. They cannot 20 against the wine
and are disposed TO yield to its course. Bu
it seems quite plain that, when they one,
make start with the wind, they will no
materially change their course if the wine
does change, but settle down and wait till il
comes around again to favor their first direc'
ton, After making long journey they arc
liable te return over substantially the SAINT
course. Their principal havoc was made las
year on their return trip.
i, The winds prevalent in the whole coun
try west of the Mississippi, from spring tC
fall are from south to north, and return
Hence their progress eastward has been, anC
still may be slow, But still, Just rs some de-
tachment meeting Il current in high alti
tudes was borne to Wayne county, Indiana
this year. so another may do next year, or
smaller or larger number may thus be born,
to Ohio or Pennsylvania.
8, 1t seems impossible to givepeoplc, VIII,
have not seen with their own eyes, any ade
quate idea Of the numbers, destructive pow
ers, and utterly uncomfortable movements
of these pests, 1t is really amusing to u
who know, to read the advice of our eastern
friends to guard against them, by raising
lots Of turkeys, letting the birds live, dig
ging bitches and setting pans of lime waite
in them, smoking with straw, setting nets
&c. What are such playthings worth agains
millions on millions OF insects, each of whicl