46 



Tlie Rocky Mountain Locust. 



dying ; feed of all kinds was scarce, and whole communi- 

 ties were relying on the promise of the spring. For this 

 reason the locust ravages were all the more desolating and 

 discouraging. 



Some cases of actual starvation were reported in the 

 papers, but I was unable to learn of a single instance which 

 could be authenticated by the names of the suffering 

 parties. Replies to the question, " Did any cases of actual 

 destitution or starvation positively occur in your county ?" 

 from over a hundred correspondents in the counties in 

 Missouri which suffered most, with scarcely an exception 

 were to the effect that while there was great destitution 

 no cases of starvation occurred. 



The great exodus of the flying swarms from our borders 

 began early in June, and reached its acme about the mid- 

 dle of the month. Some were leaving up to the last week 

 in the month. The cheering news " they fly, they fly," 

 was wired over the country from Coffeyville, Kansas, on 

 the 29th of May, and a few days later these same words 

 that cheered the waning spirit of General Wolfe as he saw 

 that victory remained with England, and Canada was lost 

 to France, passed along the lines from our western coun- 

 ties, and gladdened the hearts and revived the dying 

 hopes of the suffering farmers. 



I had such confidence in the correctness of the theories 

 which I have advanced, that, in addressing the farmers of 

 Missouri, during the spring when they were most disheart- 

 ened, and while the consternation was greatest, I did not 

 hesitate to assure them that their troubles were temporary; 

 that the insects would leave in time to permit the growth 

 of good crops of most of the products of the soil. Obliged 

 to sail for Europe in June, I told them that I should return 

 in the fall to find them jubilant where then they were dis- 

 couraged. I came back in September. The desolation of 



