EFFECT IN THE FUTURE. 125 



The scourge of the grasshoppers or locusts has become so alarming, during the last 

 two years, as to seriously threaten the prosperity of many of the States and Territories. 

 (From Governor Pennington's resolution.) 



These facts, together with the statement of the losses sustained as 

 given in the previous chapter, make it evident that the locust visitations 

 in these States and Territories have been a serious drawback upon the 

 agricultural progress of the West. 



WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE THE EFFECT IN THE FUTURE. 



The favorable result of the agricultural operations last season, brought 

 about in great part by the character of the weather, but in part by the 

 determination with which the farmers contended with their insect foes, 

 has to a great extent restored confidence. Emigration has again set in, 

 and the older residents having learned by experience means of protect- 

 ing their crops against the ravages of the young locusts, now feel them- 

 selves more able to cope with the difficulty than formerly. Yet a repeti- 

 tion of the invasions so recently ended, unless long deferred, would be a 

 severe blow to the agriculture of these western sections, and would cause 

 those seeking new homes to hesitate long before running the risk of 

 having the results of their toil and labor destroyed by this severe 

 scourge. 



We firmly believe, as we have again and again asserted, and which so 

 far the facts seem to bear out, that the locusts can never become per- 

 manent residents of the border States; that the long series of visita- 

 tions so recently ended was unusual and is not likely to be repeated for 

 a long time, most probably not in the present century. Our belief, as a 

 matter of course, is based upon the evidence furnished by the past 

 and not upon any prophetic knowledge of the future. If we could fore- 

 tell the character of the seasons for these coming years, we could then 

 predict with more certainty the movements of the locusts. If there is a 

 succession of dry years like those recently passed we may look for a re- 

 currence of invasions. 



A knowledge of the history and habits of the species has a tendency 

 to remove much of the alarm they excite, and when the past season 

 closed without fresh swarms from the native breeding grounds, thus 

 verifying our predictions, and the people saw that the series of visita- 

 tions had come to an end, there was a very evident feeling of relief; not 

 only because of a crop saved, but because it was an evidence that the 

 locusts had not become permanent residents. 



The benefit arising from the appointment of this commission was ex- 

 X3erienced more immediately and palpably in this connection than any 

 other. Although the object for which it was authorized was to investi- 

 gate the history and habits of the locusts and suggest such remedies as 

 would be most effectual in counteracting them, yet the members felt it 

 incumbent upon them to devote attention first to the immediate danger 



