THE ORTIIOI'TIiRA OF MINNESOTA. 



bad, in others less, in a few none), in 1S70, 1871, bad, 1872. 

 bad, 1878, 1S74, 1875, 1876." In 1877 the youn<.r locusts 

 hatched in forty-two or more counties, lying mainly in the 

 southwestern quarter of the state, the area, however, not 

 reaching the southwestern corner. In the central part of the 

 egg-area they hatched in excessive numbers. A portion of the 

 eggs were destroyed by parasites, or at least failed to hatch. 

 During the months of May and June an unusual amount of 

 rainfall delayed or even prevented hatching, while owing to 

 the large number of cool, cloudy, or rainy days, on which 

 the locusts were averse to eating, the wheat attained a very 

 luxuriant growth, becoming every da}^ less capable of being 

 injured. Still the injury- was considerable, but the farmers 

 and citizens were battling manfully with their little foes. 

 For a time the prospect in Minnesota was gloomy, but the 

 favorable weather together with the substantial aid and en- 

 couragement of the governor, Hon. John S. Pillsbury, and 

 the business men of the cities and towns and railroad com- 

 panies, induced the farmers to fight the battle through. In 

 spite of all this the locusts were so numerous in some coun- 

 ties as to destroy the larger part of the wheat crop, and 

 some nineteen counties* in all lost more or less; still the 

 state raised a fine crop of wheat. 



The locusts that hatched in Minnesota commenced to 

 rise late in June, but most of them flew from July 1 to July 7 

 towards the northwest. Later, and until earlv in August, 



* Counties. Acres. 



Kandiyoki 35,337 



Chippewa 15,638 



Wright 18,747 



Steams 43,294 



Nicollet 6,151 



Pope 18,218 



Douglas 18,788 



Swift 13,318 



Otter Tail 30,711 



Stevens 8,106 



Grant 6,470 



Counties. Acres. 



Todd 6,868 



Renville 19,924 



Sible3- 8,799 



McLeod 20,315 



Meeker 32,786 



Yellow Medicine 12,700 



Brown 14,215 



Redwood. 6,803 



Total, 19 Counties 337,188 



