﻿OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 61 



giving the subsequent planting an admirable start. Then when the pests 

 had increased to their highest number, and were working the most 

 extensive ruin, the Hood gates of the clouds were opened, and for 

 thirty-six hours an unceasing torrent swept large numbers of the pests 

 into the streams until the surface of most running water was black 

 with locusts. For the destitution of Kansas an extra session of the 

 Legislature provided partial relief. In both Kansas and Missouri, 

 wherever the scourge extended, seeds were to some extent distributed 

 by the Department of Agriculture, and by enterprising seedsmen^ 

 and committees were sent to more favored regions to obtain contri- 

 butions, of money, provisions and seed. In order to convey a more 

 exact idea of the condition of things that prevailed, and of the injuries 

 of the insect, outside of the more severely visited region, I will give a 

 review by States, and in the case of Missouri by counties also. 



THE OUTLOOK IN MISSOURI. 



Early in May the reports from the locust district of the State were 

 very conflicting : the insects were confined to within short radii of 

 their hatching grounds. The season was propitious, and where the in- 

 sects did not occur, everything promised well. As the month drew 

 more and more to a close, the insects extended the area of destruction 

 and the alarm became general. By the end of the month the non-tim- 

 bered portions of the middle western counties were as bare as in winter. 

 Here and there patches of Amarantus Blitum and a few jagged 

 stalks of Milkweed (Asclepias) served to relieve the monotony. An 

 occasional oat field, or low piece of prairie would also remain green; 

 but with these exceptions one might travel for days by buggy and 

 find everything eaten off, even to the under-brush in the woods. The 

 suflering was great and the people were well-nigh disheartened. Cat- 

 tle and stock of all kinds, except hogs and poultry, were driven away 

 to more favored counties, and relief committees were organized. 

 Many families left the State under the influence of the temporary 

 panic and the unnecessary forbodings and exaggerated statements of 

 pessimists. Chronic loafers and idlers even made some trouble and 

 threatened to seize the goods and property of the well to do. Relief 

 work was, however, carried on energetically, and with few exceptions 

 no violence occurred. Early in June the insects began to leave ; the 

 farmers began replanting with a will. As the month advanced, the 

 prospects brightened, and by the Fourth of July the whole country 

 presented a green and thrifty appearance again. The greatest damage 

 occurred in the counties bordering the Missouri river to Liberty, 

 and thence southward; and Bates, Buchanan, Barton, Clay, Cass, 

 Clinton, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte, St. Clair and Ver- 



