218 



the contrary, if the views we have advanced be correct, they suggest a means by 

 which the General Government might greatly aid in bringing about the desired re- 

 sult • and fortunately the result would be beuehcial even should we be mistaken 

 in the opinions advanced. 



As will be seen by what has been stated, the great desideratum is to settle the cul- 

 tivated belt alluded to as rapidly as possible with an agricultural population. Wher- 

 ever valuable and permanent mines are discovered in the neighboring mountains, 

 the arable areas in the vicinity will be taken up and cultivated to an extent at least 

 sufficient to supply the demand for agricultural products, as in parts of Colorado. 

 But there are large sections where no such influence will be brought to bear, and 

 this is the case along that portion of the belt where the agricultural population is 

 most needed for the purpose mentioned. 



An examination of Map^o. 1, in our first report, will show that a comparatively 

 limited belt in central Montana, extending from the Big Horn Mountains northwest 

 to the British liue, a little west of Cypress Hill, forms the turning poiut of the locust 

 movements. Without now repeating the data, which may be found in that report, 

 we may summarize it by saying that from this region a large portion of the swarms 

 come which visit Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Kansas; from this area also pro- 

 ceed a large portion of the s varms that move southwest into Idaho and Utah; this 

 appears to be the point to which most of the returning swarms from the temporary 

 region direct their flight. 



That there are other areas in the permanent region which appear to be special 

 breeding grounds, as points of departure, is certainly true, but none to such an extent 

 as this, and none affecting an agricultural area bearing any comparison with the area 

 affected by the locust swarms originating in this belt. 



Even should it be shown by subsequent investigations that as a rule the swarms 

 falling on the temporary regions come from intermediate points, as central and south- 

 ern Dakota and northwestern Nebraska, the facts already ascertained warrant us in 

 asserting that, as a very general rule, they originate in the belt mentioned. 



It is evident, therefore, that if any method can be devised by which an agricult- 

 ural (not pastoral) population can be thrown into this belt it will form one of the best 

 possible means of modifying the evil. If they can be eifectually distributed in this 

 area the result will be of immense value to the agricultural interests of Dakota, Min- 

 nesota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas, in fact of the entire temporary region. We do 

 not pretend that it will wholly relieve this area from locust invasions, but it will very 

 materially lessen their extent and injury. 



In order to carry on agricultural operations to any great extent in this belt, an 

 extensive system of irrigation will be absolutely necessary. Jt will have to be on a 

 scale of greater magnitude than any that will be undertaken by a pioneer popula- 

 tion. We doubt the propriety of the General Government undertaking such a work 

 directly, if it is possible to acco nplish it in any other way. This, we think, may 

 possibly be done by giving the land for this purpose. We are fully aware of the op- 

 position at present to the Government's donating any more of the public land, but 

 the circumstances of this case bring it out of the general rule. If donating the en- 

 tire body of public laud in the belt described would suffice to settle it with an agri- 

 cultural population, not only would the very purpose for which it is held be accom- 

 plished, but, if our views are correct, the result would be of immense benefit to the 

 border States. 



We therefore suggest the following as probably the most feasible i)lan of accom- 

 plishing the desired end: Let the United States donate a belt of 50 or 60 miles in 

 width, ruuning from the Black Hills west-northwest, so as to strike the Yellowstone 

 River a short distance above the mouth of the Big Horu River; from theuce north- 

 northwest by way of Fort Shaw, or the mouth of Sun River, in the direction of Fort 

 Hamilton, in British America — this to be granted on condition that the company to 

 which said land is granted shall, within a given time, construct a railroad from the 



