NEED OF JUDGMENT IN PLANTING. 129 



in large numbers in the following spring, corn should be relied on as 

 the chief crop. 



By adopting this plan of alternating the crops according to the locust 

 status, theinjnrions effects of both visiting hordes and resulting broods 

 would be very materially lessened. 



This plan, as a matter of course, is less applicable in the northern sec- 

 tion, where the growing season is shorter and where wheat and small 

 grains come to perfection later in the season. Bat it is thought by Mr. 

 Taylor, of Manitoba, that by selecting the variety of corn of quickest 

 growth it may be pushed forward to perfection by the time the locusts 

 usually make their appearance. Be this as it may, still it is possible 

 that even here, by a judicious system of cropping, much of the loss 

 which would otherwise be occasioned by these insects may be avoided. 



As a general rule the pioneer population of these Western States and 

 Territories consists of individuals of small means who are compelled for 

 the first few years to devote most of their attention to breaking sod, 

 pieparing a habitation, and producing food for themselves and stock. 

 Corn is chiefly relied upon, as the seed costs but little, and it affords 

 food for both man and beast, and in the broad timberless sections may 

 also be used for fuel. Wheat is the chief crop by which money can be 

 obtained to purchase clothing and other necessaries which cannot be 

 produced on the farm. It is therefore next to impossible for these per- 

 sons daring the first few years after they settle to alternate their crops. 

 But those who have been longer in the coantry and have made sufficient 

 headway may do this and thus prevent the general distress occasioned 

 by locust invasions. It would also be wise for those who are in a posi- 

 tion that will enable them to do so, to diversify their agricultural opera- 

 ions more than is the custom in these sections. Pease, and the varioust 

 root-crops, such as turnips, potatoes, rutabagas, mangel-wurzel, &c., 

 which answer well for food for stock, are generally less injured than the 

 grains, and should be partially relied upon in years when it is probable 

 the locusts will appear. 



The broad prairies of the Northwest are naturally adapted for grazing 

 and seem to be intended for the great wool and beef producing area of 

 that part of the United States east of the Eockj^ Mountain range ; and 

 if this fact were fully appreciated and acted upon as it might be, one 

 great step toward meeting the difficulty would be made. The grass- 

 hoppers do but comparatively little injury to the grass, and hence the 

 stock-raisers and herdsmen look with comparative indifference on these 

 visitations. The meat and wool markets are no more likely to be over- 

 stocked than the wheat and corn markets, and as the cholera has ren- 

 dered the raising of hogs an uncertain and precarious business, the meat 

 supply must come chiefly from the pasture of our country. Here, then, 

 is presented one method at least of partially meeting the difficulty. 



We present these thoughts, not with a view of urging their adoption 

 exactly as given, but for the purpose of suggesting to the farmers of the 

 West plans by which the difficulty may be in part, at least, overcome, 

 9 G 



