The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-02-18
The Grasshopper Plague-Utah
Preparing Against It.
From the Independence Sentinel.

From the independence Sentinel.
The Sentinel is no alarmist, but OH
every question it assumes to speak the
truth. neither eXaggerating nor mitga-
ting it. 1t is wisest, too. to deal calmly
and coolly with every difficulty, whatcv-
CT be its magnitude--th greater the dill
ficulty the more the discretion. In this
mind we quote from the Globe Demo-
crat what at first thought may appear
to be an alarming sentiment. 1t is. that
in the grasshoppcr regions of Idaho,
Montana, Utah and Wyoming, and 9TH
er Western States, the insects last year
'bciore they died deposited untold mill
lions of eggs in the ground along tho
course of their march. Persons, whose
experience in such matters entities their
opinions to respectful consideration, de-
clare that the summer sun of 1876 will
hatch such swarms Of grasshoppcrs in
the West as have never before been
seen, and that the tract of country III
winch they will prevail will be wider
than ever before, reaching from q long
distance west of the Black Hills 10 tho
center of Missouri and Iowa.
The same paper further says: "1n
view of the probable visitation next
| year, Brigham Young, after due confer
cnce with the leading States, has pro-
| mul%ated from the Mormon pulpit u
scheme for allaying the prospective
danger Cf Inconvenience or suffering, by
ordering his people to retain their grain
III s. ore, and not, on any account,to sell
or barter it, The common sense of this
requirement is so manifest that the only
wonder is some one did not see it before
and place the credit with Kansas or Ne
braska farmers. where we might hayc
been proud Of It. But it is good idea
and should be settled upon regardless of
the source whence il comes. We mus
hail the lucky notion of brigham and
his Saints rs the true solution to the
grasshopper difficulty, and one whicl,
our Western people must accept and
put in practice, If they would be free
from the danger of outright starvation.
10 which for some years they have been
at intervals. exposed. Though the pol
icy is not novel among the Mormons, it
is new to our people, and, in certain
bounds, will prove the perfect solution
to the absorbing grasshopper question"
We think the Globe-Democrat makes
I too much out OF Brigham Youngs's scare
and eXa@gcratcs the danger for next
year. Even if the 'hoppers hatch in the
localities mentioned, in the great num-
berS feared, it does not follow that they
would reach Western Missouri in time
to do great harm to the crops of 1876.
1t is in the spring and summer when
they hatch here that their ravages are
to be most feared. The chances aru
So greatly against them that we do not
4 IN,
This winter and next spring must be ft-
vor,hle to the preservation of the eggs
in the States and Territories west of us.
NcXt summers winds and seasons must
favor their making successful trip by
fall this far. The time of their coming
must favor their laying here as in 1874,
and the next winter and spring must ia
vor the Matching of the eggs. All these
conditions occurred before the last in
vaSion. They may occur again. But
the chances are that they will not.
1t is best, however, to be wise in
time. Out OF the abundant corn crop
enough might be easily saved over to
await an emergency, and be as saleable
if not needed, as it is now. Every far
mer should thus provide against the
evil day. with but little inconvenience
now. lie ought to do it.
Another thing ought to be DONE
Our Senators and Representatives in
Congress ought to urge on that body
the passage of q grasshopper law for
the protection of the threatened sec
tions. We have heretofore indicated
something of what ought to be its ma
ture and scope. But when we wrote
we urged upon the State government
the duties which more extended thought
has convinced us ought to be performed
by the United States.
the subject of grasshoppers, giving SO
much for every Lushel killed in the tall
so much Tor every quart, gallon or BUSH
ell of eggs gathered at any time; so,
much for every bushel of grasshoppcrs.
killed in April, so much IN May, etc.
The reward should be paid by the State,
and means provided to carry out the
law in all its requirements. The effect
of such legislation would be ten-fold. IL
would aid those who are turned out OF
work by grasshopper invasions. ana at
the same time we believe rid the coun-
try OF them. In France there is such u
law. In China the government CON-
pefs the citizens to turn out and fight
them.
To these we are convinced other rem
edies could be added. 1t Is subject OF
great magnitude, and one that only the
Congress is competent to treat success
fully We urge il upon the attention Of
our Senators and Representatives.
| Preaching nj the Sixth Street NJ. f