Connecticut western news., 1875-07-09

ARE THE GRAssHoPPRRs CURsR?-l re- ports are true there Is some reason to think that, after all, the droves of grass hoppers that have been devastating the fields of the west may inotbe 90 much of a curse as they were at first supposed to be. They are good to eat ssys c western pa- per. and the Worcester ,GRt thus gives an account of grasshopper banquet: 2.
 Some of the Missouri people having tried the grasshopper as an article of diet, find that he has a great merit hitherto unappre- ciated in this country, though it is under
 stood that John the Baptist ayailed himself of 1t during his sojourn in the wilderness, and uncivilized people in various parts of the world have also found 1t better to make an invasion of locusts season of feasting than of starvation. Wishing to test thor oughly the dietetic capabilities of these in. sects, certain ladies and gentlemen of War renbnrg sat down, one day last week, to . locust dinner. The first course, grasshop. per soup, was tasted with some misgivings, which were soon dispelled however. The party, resolutely suppressed their que Inns, made a faithful trial of the dish, and agreed
 that it tasted like chicken soup with deli. cate mushroom flavor. The next course was batter cakes. through which iocusts had been we'll mixed. Prejudices had d. ready been conquered, and these delicacies were dispassionatelY judged. and withou, dissent approved. Then dish of baked grasshoppers, plsin,was presented and pro
 nounced excellent: The crowning glory Fofthe feast was desert ala John the Bap- list baked locusts and honeysy y sh was the unanimous verdict of the company that the I great fore-runner had no reason to com plain of his diet in the wilderness. The guests at this odd banquet were not oAly Esatisfied but enthusiastic. We do not hear l that they passed resolutions in honor ,ei John the Baptist, whose example had ! taught tthem'to!tdrnA a tertor and pest intc .a blessing,E but they dId declare that hence
 forths they should uesteem grasshoppefsis luxury to be classed with oysters, truffles 1Emushrooms. etc. Thcy believe that Tn fu- ture the tadventlof the locusts will be | cause of. thanksgiving. instead of mourn. ting,,a beuefcent giftlof nature. As evi denCe ofahs readiness of the Warfensburf people to accept the culinary and dietetit innovation, it isistated that baker of tha, town has advertised for five hu1dfed bash els of grasshoppers, to be delivered imme- distelys at the present market price, hVs kdollarsa bushel. The first invoice of shil seasons crop of grasshoppers, has already
 been sent to St. Louis, and an active de 1mand is expected from that city. At pres
 ent, while the locusts are in the winglesi esnditions and Can be captured twithou 1,dificalty, 1t Is estimsted that each acre vii
 yield not less than fifteen bushels, which Il COnsidetsbly more chan the average yielt of wheat, while the nutntive value of tn. insects is not less than that of wheat, bush
 ell for bushel,, When this crop,. whicl tneeds no planting or cultivation. Is har- fyested, the land is available for other usei [and may be made made to giys. al, an, addisiOna fproft. ,''~'n' N 'y2.,''N' ',1''