GRASSHOPPERS 99 



about three in the afternoon. During rainy weather 

 and cold nights they remain on or near the ground. 

 They have strong wings but fly very little." 



On July Fourth, the neighbors of that section 

 had all gone to the picnic in Millers' grove. There 

 were races, speeches, and fireworks. During the 

 afternoon a number of farmers had gathered under 

 the old elm tree near the well and were talking 

 about the hard times on account of the large num- 

 bers of grasshoppers. Most of them believed that 

 it was the worst grasshopper year they had ever 

 seen. William Carnes listened to what they said, 

 and when he began talking it acted on that group 

 of farmers like a whirlwind on a pile of dead leaves. 

 Some walked away in disgust, others stopped and 

 looked at Mr. Carnes in surprise, that such a good 

 man and splendid farmer should talk so. It is well 

 that some stayed, because when evening came some 

 of them had different ideas about farming, and these 

 were better than any they had before. 



" There are not enough grasshoppers, and that is 

 what I am sorry about/' he said. It was this remark 

 that had that lightning effect on the group. Those 

 who stayed looked at Mr. Carnes and thundered, 

 "What is that! ! !" 



"You fellows make me tired. I can see how the 

 grasshoppers can be terrible pests in the West and 

 South where the country is thinly settled and the 



