a COLORADO POTATO-BEETLE. 



suits. Have not known it fail in a single instance; and have not heard of a single case 

 of any evil result from using the poison. All were informed that it was poisonous, and 

 to be used with care. 



Why not form a line North and South from Lakes to Gulf of Mexico, at a point East 

 of where they have thus far been found, and the farmers on that line organize and poison 

 them out as they come, and prevent their migration eastward ? Every farmer east of 

 the line is interested and should aid. Respectfully, 



GEORGE C. CLARK. 



It is refreshing to read such letters as these, written with a dear 

 head and a ptrong hand, and which give us faith to believe that 

 the Colorado Potato-beetle, like most other ills that afflict humani- 

 ty, can be mitigated, if not wholly overcome, by energy and per- 

 severance. 



With regard to Mr. Clark's suggestion of a cordon of Paris- 

 green across the continent, I replied to hira that I thought it a 

 very excellent one, with one slight drawback, and thai was that it 

 would be impossible to carry it out. Farmers are never guilty of 

 such concerted, beneficent action. If they were, the worst pests 

 that afflict them, the Potato-bug, the Curculio and the Codling- 

 moth would, before this, have been practically exterminated. But 

 farmers are like other people ; some are ignorant, some are shift- 

 less, some are timid, and some have other and greater interests at 

 stake to distract their attention ; and the result will be that gaps 

 enough will be left, through which the advancing hosts will march 

 on to their allotted destination. My friend. Prof. "Welch, told me 

 that when he made his visit to his old homestead in Maine, last 

 summer, he took a box of the Potato-beetles with him, and the 

 circumstance becoming known on his arrival, the liveliest curiosity 

 was excited to see the notorious strangers, and that some people 

 traveled filteen miles to get a sight of them. 



Have patience, friends, and in due time, in all probability, your 

 utmost curiosity will be gratilied. This Western tortoise in minia- 

 ture is plodding on his way to you-ward, at the rate of titty or sixty 

 miles a year, and, in good time, he will meet you at your thresh- 

 old and will say to you, " Lo ! I am here. I have come a long 

 and weary journey, I have crossed high hills, broad lakes and 

 rushing rivers, enemies have waylaid me on every side, and mani. 

 fold perils have beset my path ; but I have overcome all obsta- 

 cles, and have arrived at last, and shall abide with you for a sea- 



