﻿152 SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT 



new breaking. In some places a small fly, and also the common black ant, have been 

 destro5nng the eggs. But for every one destroyed there are probably a thousand left. 

 It was fortunate for us that they came no sooner, as the small grain here was all ripe 

 and they did no damage to it. — [J. W. D., Fillmore, Neb., Aug. 5, 1874. 



The locusts visited us about three weeks ago from the South, and stopped about 

 ten or twelve days with us, doing a great deal of damage to corn, garden stuffs, etc.; 

 but I think we shall get about a one-fourth crop of corn. Don't they like onions ! You 

 could see them stand upon their heads eating into these vegetables, and they left 

 nothing but a skin outside. I noticed upon new breaking thousands of them pairing, 

 but I think the bulk left before depositing eggs. The wheat crop and all small grain 

 has been good; but I believe that up the Republican Valley, in the Southwest of the 

 State, the new settlers will have a very hard Winter, on account of the locusts. — [J. 

 W. C. White, Lincoln, Dodge county, Nebraska, August 14, 1874. 



The locusts made their appearance here about the last of July, and left on the 7th 

 of August. The wind was blowing from the Southwest at the time of their arrival, 

 but 1 think there was an upper current of wind from the North, which carried the 

 greater part of them past, not more than one in ten (apparently) coming down. The 

 day after their arrival the wind blew from the Northeast, and at about 10 a. m. they 

 began to leave, a few at a time, until about 12 a. m., when thej' arose in a cloud, and for 

 some hours the air was full of them, some going and some coming. After they had 

 been here for a few days, they gathered in great numbers on the new breaking for the 

 purpose of breeding. The result of their visit to this part of Nebraska may be summed 

 up as follows : Corn damaged to some extent ; vegetables of all kinds, except potatoes, 

 completely destroyed ; apple and pear trees stripped of foliage, and the stems of the 

 fruit eaten, so that most of it has fallen off. In some places they have eaten the peaches 

 entirely, nothing being left on the tree but the pit. — [W^m. Dunn, Emerson, Otoe Co., 

 Nebraska, August 20, 1874. 



The locusts came more than a month ago, and after flying backward and forward 

 for a couple of weeks, they settled down, apparently determined to sta5\ — [.Jno. Byfield, 

 Red Willow, Nebraska, August 21, 1874. 



A " Nebraska Relief and Aid Society " was organized to provide 

 for tlie destitution caused by the visitation, and through its exertions 

 and through legislative aid all suffering was avoided. Gov. Furnas in 

 his message to the Legislative Assembly gives the following summary 

 of doings, after stating that the receipts by the Aid Society amounted, 

 up to that time, to $68,080: 



Our own State, like most other portions of the countrj^ at large, especially the 

 West, has been alliicted the past season with short crops, by reason of drouth and 

 grasshopper devastation. While the injury has been greater than from any and ail 

 causes heretofore in the history of the Territory and State, and cannot be otherwise 

 than discouraging, particularly to the agriculturists, there is no disposition manifested 

 to abandon any portion of the State * * * The visitation falls on the frontier 

 counties with particular force. They must be aided or quit the country. Aided until 

 another j^ear's crop is produced, the foundation is laid for a prosperous future. Aside 

 from a natural and general principle of humanity, other good and sufticient reasons 

 exist why these people should he aided liberally and promptly. A very large propor- 

 tion of those now on our extreme borders and in need, are ex-soldiers; those who 

 responded promptly to their countrj^'s call in the late hour of peril. * * * 



Our own i)enple in the older portion of the State, not seriously affected, have 

 contributed liberally and promptly, both in money and in kind. All the railroads in 

 the State, as well as those leading into it, have, with commendable liberality, extended 

 free transportation to the State Society in aid of those in need. Generals Ord, Brisbin, 

 Dudley and Grover, of the regular army, liave rendered incalculable aid and assistance, 

 entering with a will and zeal into the work of relief. Through the instrumentality of 

 General Ord, the Secretary of War ordered the issue of clothing to those in neei. 

 Many portions of the older States, hearing of our misfortunes, came nobly and promptly 

 to the relief, and very liberallj'. The Nebraska Patrons of Husbandry have organized 

 a State association for purposes of relief, and not only in this, but in other States, are 

 uccomplishing very mucli in the matter of aid. Through the efforts of our delegation 



