The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-21
GRASSHOPPERS.
Their Rrapprarance in NebraSka-DcPreda-
lions in the Wheat Fields.
IS THE CENTRAL STATE TO SUFFER'

poets Tor crops oil any kind.
1t is well known all over the world that Ne
braska suffered severely from the ravages OF thus
ravenous insect last season, and although consid,
cradle small grain was raised, no corn OF any con-
sequence was gathered. The failure Of
the corn crop should not be entirely
attributed to the appearance OF the grass.
hoppers, Tor a long continued drought made
the prospect very poor and the grassnopper
merely finished what the drought mmenced. The
grasshoppers entered the state from Kansas ant
Colorado, crossing the Republican valley in tnt
southwest. They crossed the state northeastern,
passing into Dakota, Iowa ana Minnesota. WINE
the entire western portion OF Nebraska wal
devastated the east ana especially tue south.
eastern portion was almost entirely unharmed.
As early as the latter part OF February vague
reports were made concerning the reappearance
OF the insect, but not untn lately was the tact o.
their temperance demonstrated. gentleman
IN saline county. excavatng for building dug
up what proved 10 be the deposited eggs OF
myrlads OF these creatures He published his dis.
coverIes, whereat there went up IRON the local
press here howl OF indignation ana alarm tnas
Immigration would be stopped and the growth Of
our state retarded
since thus nrst discovery Of eggs deposited in
Nebraska soil have paid particular attention to
tbs subject and have gathered information ina,
may be relied upon cminentIy correct Tns
grasshoppers disappeared last year upon the Dor.
ders Of Nemana ami Richardson counties-two oil
the most populous and productive counties in the
state. A few weeks ago. Immediately after the
small grain had been planted, millions OF gay aud
risky young locusts made their appearance and,
without delay or hesitation commenced an attack
upon the newly sprouted grain. They appeared
TO be rs enterprising their forefathers last
year, fer they soon devoured all the wheat and
hat her
lett for new fields and pastures green" There
was nothing else at that time for them to devour.
am happy 10 observe, however, that the fields
OF wheat, though completely shorn OF their greeA
covering a couple OF weeks ago are rapidly being
recovered the wheat sprouting up again and APP
parently promising to stand fully as thick be-
fore II was attacked. II this should generally
occur throughout other localities In the State it
will save the farmers much labor ana expense.
Many of the farmers IN the two counties named
were preparing 10 plough up their fields and re-
SOW, after the departure OF the insects: but 50
encouragingly nave the fields recuperated that it
Is believed the crop VIII be fully as good with
repanung.
near OF swarms OF these newly Matched pests
taking up their line OF marcl from their breeding
places in the southeastern cou5ties OF this State
in a soutneastery direction, and they Will proba-
bly cali and visit their friends Missouri, ArKan-
sas and Texas before they close their summer
work.
We have also heard OF the temperance OF these
insects In the western portions OF the State. and
especially in the Republican Valley, which, though
having the appearance OF Valley OF the Lord,n
has suffered almost rutnously during the last
three seasons. Settlers in Harlan aud Franklin
counties in TINS valley, however, claim that they
have not yet been ANNOYED with them.
A gentleman who has travelled extensively over
has made careful inquiries aud observations,
thus writes IN regard TO the suoject:-"As we
have already admitted, It is undeulable that the
locusts may do more or damage TO the small
grain But, as yet, the little pests are confined TO
small portion OF the state, prin ,pally along tho
Missouri River. with possibly lew on the Repub-
llcan. aud rarely any elsewhere. InIeed friends
from Franklin end Harlan colntles on the Repub-
llcan, where the season Is ABOUT as FAR advanced
as anywhere IN the state, report few or no ocusu
in thar region. few are reported In
Falrmont ana sutton Fillmore and CLAY coun.
tiesl, bat elsewhere along the great divide be
tween the Platte and Republican none appear
There are lev, II any. along tue Platte. Thus far,
at least, the developments are not alarming gen.
orally, ana the probabilities are tnat most locali-
ties Will escape altogether, and taat all may avoid
serious damage by little effort and combined
forethougnt, especially II exerted at the rlgnt
time. Tue weather has been quite cool, which
may be the most fortunate thing That could have
happened to the farmer, as It has prevented the
Matching of myriads OF locust eggs deposited Last
fall. Many Of the farmers have not Jet finished
putting IN their small grain. wniie very few have
planted any cora at all.
while there is some alarm about the reappear.
ance Of these pests and the probable result ofs
their re turn, there a noPefnl feeling among ths
farmers and settlers and belief that all VIII BAT
wen tins season. In case have anything nearly,
as frIghtlul visitation we had last year thss
present ana iuture OF Nebraska VIII be matter OF
the deepest concern.
L have before mo some carefully corrected re-a
ports IRON the most important Agricultural
counties In the State in regard to the amount Of,
grain sowed and the prospects. have men,
toned the prospects OF Nemaha and Richardson,S
and they may eventually be good those Ola
any locality In the state. There are lew oihern
counties mat shared VITA them IN their lat9,
visitation, and In which che result was the same.
Tpe principal grain growing counties. however,
are Cass, Otoe. Lancaster seward, saline, Buff.
falo, Kearney, POLK, AM few others From tnesez
the reports are generally that from % 70 30 per-
cent more small grain has been sown than was,
last year, and that from 70 to IS per cent mores
corn Will be planted Fruit IN the counties o.
otoe. Cass. Nemaha aud Richardson, the heaviesei
fruit.growing counties IN the state. promises r.
large Yield, wnlle max receives considerable a5)I
tenton in most OF the counties and grazing Is exg
celen, In all.
The work OF the Nebraska Relief Society II OVEN
and the society III banded The response from ain
parts oil the country has been nooe. SHOULD tue
lears OF some who have looked carefully into thea
matter prove unfounded. the grassnoppers disap-s
pear and good crops be harvested, Nebraska WIZ
receive such impetus as she never nan before.
Already immigration has been very heavy, ana tnsv
new corners say the Eastern people are not genera
ally dlstrustiul or our state; but II win take an
other year OF excellent fortune to fully assure tnsA
country that the Central stateu 4 going TO be
valuable state.
REFORM AT LAST IN JERSEY CITYg
Il
The new Board OF Chosen Frecholders OF Hud-s,