Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-03
For the OXFORD DEMOCRAT
Uesfern Correspondence.
GREELY, Col, July, II. 10.

To The Editor Of the Democrat:
II you expect me to grapple with any
smaller subject than 1.-The grasshopper.
you are doomed to disappointment.
The grasshopper has proved to be q
burden 10 me ;--beiore this letter is done
he will be burden TO you
Mr.. Editor, used to believe 10 the
prophets. but don't any more. First.
the prophets said we were TO have no
hoppers this year. because there were no
eggs deposited; then the fearful winter
cold was to kill all the eggs; then the
snow and freeze of May was to kill the
pests that had Just hatched then the lii.
tie fly was going TO kill them all with his
hatchet; then machines were to be in.
vented to save the crops. etc, etc.
The facts are, myriadS OF grasshoppers
hatched out. none the worse for 40 be.
ow zero. When the abominable two
days snow of May came, the hoppers
curled up close TO the ground and were
happy. The little flies deposited their
eggs in the little bodies of hoppers :;
these eggs hatched, producing a grub,
and finally accomplished their good
work. Men experimental with traps and
revolving flames of kerosene. and grew
wiser, day by day. Still hundreds OF
acres OF wheat were destroyed anu men
who wished to save their crops had TO
fight up 10 the time when the hoppers got
their wings, in June, and llew away.
Sir. have used he word fight. -
There have been some of the very finest
exhibitions of pluck in this colony this
season. Some men would come to town
and say, "its no use" and hang their
hands. But some OF our men wouldn't
say die: they got up before sunrise and
plowed the benumbed hoppers UNDER
they surrounded their precious fields with
water, and set gunny sacks IN the water,
and thus caught bnshels they saw court.
less millions heading toward the wheat,
and promptly scattered straw aud gather.
ing their friends, drove vast numbers up
on the straw and in the cool OF the even.
ing burned straw and hoppeis together.
destroying 50 many that the stencil of the
dccaying bodies OF the half-consumed
hoppers filled the air and this thing
was kept up Tor weeks and weeks. Some
OF these men point with pride 10 as fine
wheat fields rs a man could wish TO see.
Towards the.close OF the campaign. the
inventors began 10 be successful. Many
feel that with the improved grasshopper
killers there need be no failure 10 grow
crops in the future. A large door may
be placed upon the ground. with an
awning OF wire netting on three sides Of
it. Ii two men draw this cage towards
the grasshoppers great numbers will leap
into 1t, and as the trap moves forwards.
they will only try TO escape through the
meshes OF the wire work. Bushels OF
the young creatures may be caught in
this way. This principle works the best
of any yet tried.
OF course the hoppers did great injury
to early grain; but our people have re-
sown great breadths Of country. There
is much corn that promises well, and we
do not expect to have to call Tor aid out
side OF our own community.
A party Of mounlaineers once under
took 10 have grasshoppers for dinner
They were all from the land OF baked
beans and two were from Maine. They
had caught their game and placed them
in boiling water so that they need not be
too lively while frying. will not say
they used butter, for don't think they
had thGt luxury. 1t is safe to say they
used lard. Dinner was about TO be
served when one of the Maine men said
he wasn't very we'll and wouldn't take
dinner to-day" AT this moment Two
friends from the East arrived. The Bos'
tonian. who was acting as cook. remark
ed 1--WE haven't much for dinner and
don't know as you can put up with our
fare" The jolly travellers protested that
they could eat jack knives. screw drivers
or anything. al AIN sorry" said the
cook, THAT we have only grasshoppers
for dinner Soon all were at the table.
The other Maine man was sick but he re-
solved to act his part well. The dish ol
fried hoppers was passed. The plucky
Maine man began to eat as il his 'ife de-
pended upon it. When the travellers saw
that the dish really did contain hoppers
they gave a little start and said:
"Oh! OH Well then! Do you-oh-
really do you eat themP We thought
you joking"
ooh! Very nice! very nice" ex
claimed the gentleman from Maine;-
"taste percisely like trout"
And SO all said Every NICE" even the
sick gentleman. and all agreed they were
| niusI like lrOut.n y. n.