44 



The Rocky Mountain Locust. 



running water was black with locusts. For the destitu- 

 tion of Kansas an extra session of the Legislature pro- 

 vided partial relief. In both Kansas and Missouri, wher- 

 ever the scourge extended, seeds were to some extent 

 distributed by the Department of Agriculture, and by 

 enterprising seedsmen, and committees were sent to more 

 favored regions to obtain contributions of money, pro- 

 visions and seed. 



Early in May the reports from the districts most severely 

 visited were very conflicting : the insects were confined 

 within short radii of their hatching grounds. The season 

 was propitious, and where the insects did not occur, every- 

 thing promised well. As the month drew more and more 

 to a close, the insects extended the area of destruction, 

 and the alarm became general. By the end of the month 

 the non-timbered portions of the country most affected 

 were as bare as in winter. Here and there patches of 

 Amarantus Mlitum and a few jagged stalks of Milkweed 

 (Asclepias) served to relieve the monotony. An occasional 

 oat field, or low piece of prairie would also remain green ; 

 but with these exceptions one might travel for days by 

 buggy and find everything eaten off, even to the under- 

 brush in the woods. The suffering was great and the 

 people were well-nigh disheartened. Cattle and stock of 

 all kinds, except hogs and poultry, were driven away to 

 more favored counties, and relief committees were organ- 

 ized. Many families left the country under the influence 

 of the temporary panic and the unnecessary forebodings 

 and exaggerated statements of pessimists. Chronic loafers 

 and idlers even made some trouble and threatened to seize 

 the goods and property of the well-to-do. Relief work 

 was, however, carried on energetically, and with few ex- 

 ceptions no violence occurred. Early in June the insects 

 began to leave ; the farmers began replanting with a will. 



