106 STATISTICS OF MINNESOTA. 



in localities such as ours always has been, and therefore, probably 

 always will be, but casual and transient. 



Capua, Lombard}', Languodoc, Hungary and the Danubian Pro- 

 vinces already named in this article, still flourish and are among 

 the richest agricultural districts in Europe. Bad as the locust has 

 been at times in the last named provinces it has not prevented 

 the last named provinces from having the finest wheat fields in the 

 world, with Odessa for their capital city. 



The potato bug, the chinch bug, the fly, the weevil, come and 

 go, but agriculture advances, and will so continue. I have abun- 

 dant faith that the science and energy of this people will be found 

 able to grapple with the evil, when once fully aroused. 



It is but proper to state that the field of investigation covered 

 by this article is not what was originally intended, but selected 

 with the view of avoiding, as far as could be anticipated, any re- 

 traversing of the ground likely to be occupied by the governor s 

 and scientific gentlemen who met at Omaha, November last. 



The history of the locust in Minnesota since 1873 is contained 

 in the report of the commission appointed by Governor Davis last 

 year, and one of the members of that commission will most likely 

 complete the record up to the present date. Though I had de- 

 signed giving a synopsis of this, the report of the meeting of gov- 

 ernors at Omaha, and the two reports of our local commissioners, 

 precludes any such necessity. 



Since writing the feregoing I have had tht pleasure of hearing a 

 portion of the forthcoming report of Professor Whitman on this 

 subject, embodying his observation and research during the pres- 

 ent season. Since hearing it I have all the more reason to be 

 satisfied with not having touched upon those parts of the subject 

 which he has presented with so much ability. I have great pleas- 

 ure in recommending it for careful perusal, both at home and 

 abroad, as a document replete with careful observations and preg- 

 nant suggestions. Observers and scientists who are investigating 

 this question will find it to be an important addition to their 

 treasury of knowledge. 



DAMAGE BY LOCUSTS IN 1875. 



Returns of damages to crops have been received from nineteen 

 counties of the state for the year 1875. This is nine counties less 

 than reported in 1874. Of the 28 counties that reported that 

 year, the following ten counties failed to report for 1875 : Chippe- 

 wa, Clay, Faribault, Grant, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Polk, Rock, 



