The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-07-08

the ledger.
He told US he couldn't under
stand how the small wheat ranch
ers. with nothing to fall back on.
could make a 20 of II. As a mat
ter of fact. they don't. Most Of
them are either receiving land
grants or are on straight relief,
We found 1t a distinct pleasure
to talk to people whom the fates
had been unable 10 kick around.
For weeks We had been listening
To stories Of crop failure and hard
times and. TRUE as they all are.
they were beginning to depress
us with their utter futiliiy. We
saw more smiles al this ranch
than anywhere in North Dakota.
Back On River
Our canoe was some distance
from the house and our hosts in
sisted upon driving us to II and
would not accept cent for their
delicious dinner. We believe that
here, as all along the way. our
visit was a welcome break In the
monotony of ranch life. II always
gives them a chance to talk about
something else than their troubles.
For awhile after leaving the
ranch we had the good fortune
to run before the wind as the
river veered to the northeast. But
1t didn't last long. When II did
turn back 10 the south. the wind
seemed stronger than ever and
our progress was painfully slow.
despite redoublcd efforts with the
paddles.
II didn't look as though we
would make the 20 miles to STAN
ton, so studying our charts. we
found that Hancock was only 10
miles. II took US Just four hours
To cover that distance and by that
time we were two very tired peo-
pie.
Reseh Hancock
Hancock Is another OF the Mis-
souri, river ghost towns. Today
there are only two houses there
and, of course. the postoffice was
removed many years ago.
As we pulled into a cut land
ing under a high bank, the usual
evening storm started to come In
from the north and west accom-
panied by a terrifying display OF
We had planned to
camp on the bottom. but such
storm meant an even stronger
wind than during the day. 80 we
sought the hospitality Of the near
est house.
Many OF these people don't have
an extra room fog guests, but our
air mattresses nicely solved that
problem. All we ask for IL
corner In which to make our beds.
Using AIrplanes
Here again we were able To
witness the depredations Of the
dreaded grasshopper. All Of one
whest field was gone and half the
cornfield was in the process of
being eaten away. But the farmer
was confident he had them stopped
with poison.
In this particular county they
are using airplsnes for the pur-
pose Of spreading the arsenic i'm
bran and sswdust. This
method IL much more Satisfactory
than the old way Of spreading II
by hand. The blast from the plane
propellers spreads the poison over
4 much wider area than can he
done BY hand.
We believe a few Of the other
counties are also using airplsnes
and as their use becomes more
widespread. the poison will take
millions Of 'hoppers. instead. of
The only stumbling
block Is that few counties have
enough money allotted TO them
10 pay for sirplsne hire.
But even with this method 40
satisfactory. II IL doubtful II man
alone can conquer the little hop
per. Whenever the little ones
rave Matched they win pass on when
they grow wing, and nothing can
really hurry them. The last word
10 the farmers ~ that when the
present soourgs passes on. more
~. on their way up from South
Ds kots.
Now that doesn't definitely
mean they Will land in North
for they travel very high
and the winds may carry them
right on over into Canada or some
other unfortunate section. But
the farmers are beyond being wor-
RED about such matters. They
have a resigned air about them.
and. through necessity. are learn
ing 10 take things just as they
come. good or bad.
Grasshoppers are particularly
this year because Of
the heavy rains that otherwise
would have assured the farmers
Of bumper crops. There has been
almost more rain this one year
than they have enjoyed for the
past six or seven years combined
and the ground has never been in
such good shape.