﻿84 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT 



Locust is sub-alpine, and breeds in greatest profusion in the Rocky 

 Mountain region of the extreme northwest. It thrives best in a high, 

 dry, cold climate, where the summers are short but sufficiently in- 

 tense. By bearing this fact in mind, we may understand why Minne- 

 sota suffers more frequently from the pest than do Iowa, Mebraska, 

 Kansas or Missouri. 



The records show that the insect occurs much more frequently in 

 that State than it does further south. Minnesota is unfortunately 

 nearer to the insect's native habitat, and the pest not only extends 

 further east in Minnesota than in any other State (having been known 

 to reach as far as Lake Superior,) but it holds its own better in that 

 climate, and does not so soon succumb to disease and enemies, or so 

 soon leave, as with us. 



Colorado. — This territory, always more or less subject to the lo- 

 cust scourge, was, during the spring of 1875, put under unusually 

 heavy contribution by the insects which hatched in its most highly 

 cultivated sections. 



The Colorado Farmer for May 6, gives the following account of 

 the situation : 



The locust plague is fairly upon us ; the locusts have hatched out in countless 

 millions, and have gone throuo:!! the early garden and farm crops. From all ])arts of 

 the territory the cry of " the locusts are upon us," comes with startling force, making 

 strong men quail and women weep. 



North and south, from the base of the mountains out to the verge of the plains, 

 the pestiferous locusts have commenced their hateful work. AVant and penury stares 

 men in the face who have invested their last dollar in putting in a crop. Eaten out last 

 year, the bouyant hope that has ever characterized Coloradans, induced another trial 

 this season, but it will hardly be possible to tide over the present fearful set-back. 



There are, however, some redeeming features ; the hoppers can't stay with us 

 always, and they have already commenced to move in a southeasterly direction. Farms 

 that are suitably protected by irrigating ditches are not harmed ; wherever the ditches 

 have been filled, nearly all the hoppers" that have attempted to cross have perished in 

 the trial. The hard earned experience in the past of Colorado farmers has developed 

 many plans for the destruction of the i)ests. Among these plans, in addition to the water 

 plan, is destruction by fire — burning straw, in which they seek shelter by night; the 

 use of machines to gather them, and systematically driving them into running water. 



The date of hatching varies with the elevation. Mr. N. C. Meeker, 

 of Greeley, writing the latter part of August, says: " On the plains 

 they appeared late in April and the first of May; along the foot hills 

 in May ; in the timber region and along the Snowy Range, from June 

 to July. * * * About the first of July the first hatched in the 

 plains region departed forward the south. A week ago, (Aug. 20th,) 

 those hatched in the Blue Mountains came down upon us and then de- 

 parted in a southeasterly direction, but now we are having them from 

 the Snowy Range in what seems incredible numbers. Their numbers, 

 however, are almost nothing in comparison with the myriads that 

 keep southward every day about noon. I estimate that they cover in 



