XII LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



a part of the effect of locust injuries the checking of immigration and the depreciation 

 in the vahie of lands. So depressing, in fact, was this result in some regions as to par- 

 alyze trade, put a stop to all new enterprises, and dishearten the communities where 

 the suffering was greatest. I have every evidence that the work of the Commission 

 already done has directly saved the small amount originally appropriated more than 

 a hundred fold. Besides this it was indirectly heneficial by its encouraging predictions 

 as to the future, which were fully verified, and by the recommendations made, which 

 restored a good degree of confidence and had much to do in inducing emigration west- 

 ward. The very encouraging conclusions of the Commission as to the prospects the 

 present year and for some years to come will also continue to exert a most beneficial 

 effect on the West. The predictions of the Commission, which are on record in the 

 introduction to the report, were verified to a remarkable degree, as the events of the 

 year proved. 



When we remember that to this day comparatively little is known of the source, 

 movements, and management of the locusts that have for ages devastated the countries 

 of the Old World, our government may well feel proud of the light that in a single 

 year has been thrown on all these questions so far as our own destructive species is 

 concerned. 



Still, much remains to be done by the Commission. Further surveys need to be 

 made of the permanent breeding-grounds in the Northwestern Territories ; more facts 

 are needed to perfect our knowledge of the migrations in this area ; the co-operation 

 of our government with Canada is needed to work up the subject properly in the lo- 

 cust region north of the United States boundary- line, and some other problems remain 

 to be solved. When this is accomplished I believe that it will be possible at least to 

 greatly modify or lessen these invasions and diminish the losses resulting therefrom, 

 if not entirely prevent them. 



The Commission therefore ask for another appropriation of $18,000 in order to com- 

 plete this special investigation and to present to Congress a second and final report 

 that shall evince the wisdom and economy of the national government in causing the 

 investigation to be made, and shall bear practical results commensurate with the in- 

 terests to the agriculture of the West involved. It is also contemplated to spend a 

 portion of the time, when not in the locust area, in studying the habits and ravages of 

 the cotton-worm of the Southern States. This can be done without interfering with 

 the locust work, provided the full amount of the appropriation asked for be made. 



It is believed that all such investigations of our more injurious insects will result in 

 the saving of a large proportion of the annual losses to the country from insect pests, 

 which are estimated to amount annually to $200,000,000 ,• and it seems prudent and 

 wise to take such steps as shall result in an abatement of the evil. 

 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



F. V. HAYDEN, 

 ^ United States Geologist. 



Hon. Carl Schurz, 



Secretary of the Interior, 



