Jess^TiiQre are instances with farmers in which debt can 

 __ardly be avoided, as was the case here in 1856 and 1857 ; 

 [the grasshoppers destroyed our crops two years in succes- 

 sion, and many had given credit to those who became involv- 

 ed at the time of the financial crash ; the latter might per- 

 haps have been avoided by judgment, and perhaps a better 

 [knowledge of natural history and science may have aided 

 in providing against the ravages of the grasshoppers. One 

 fact I noticed, although they ate the bark from saplings, 

 and consumed our corn, tobacco, etc., ate holes in clothes 

 hanging out to dry, destroyed boots and shoes when they 

 lit on them in the house, yet peas they avoided, and it 

 was an odd sight to see the field completely stripped, even 

 of the weeds, and the pea patch left undisturbed. There was 

 no turning to the right or left with them, they went hop- 

 ping on to the tune of John Brown, and they may be hop* 

 ping yet for aught I know. I only hope they will never 

 come here again. Many resolved then to keep two years 

 supply of produce on hand afterwards, but I fear most of 

 us have forgotten the good resolution made in time of dis- 

 tress, as is often the case. 0. H. Kelley. 



Anoka Co., Minnesota, June 28, 1862. § 



ft3 



