LOCUST RAVAGES IN CALIFORNIA. 
247 
worse, young ones are hatching every day, while the old ones are laying eggs and 
eating grass. — [Pacific Rural Press, July 13, 1878. 
Sierra Valley Hoppers. — Reno Journal : We spoke yesterday of the myriads of 
grasshoppers in the Sierra Valley, and of the imminent danger the crops were in. 
Another gentleman tells us that there is a mile square in the center of the valley, 
which is completely covered with the young insects, which have appetites like cross- 
cut saws. He suggests that tho farmers club together, and, by rolling over this tract 
with heavy rollers, kill at least the major portion of them, for should they all survive, 
they will not gratefully spare the green acres around them. The crops never looked 
better, and the farmers have only this one thing to fear. One has no idea of the mag- 
nitude or destructibility of this plague. Flying in clouds so thick as to darken the 
sky for an hour at a time, they leave the country over which they pass as bleak as if 
a fire had swept it. Millions may be killed, but like the war with China, there are ten 
to take the place of every one that falls. It is not profitable to raise grain for grass- 
hoppers' use. We hope our Sierra Valley friends will escape the impending danger. — 
[Ibid, June 22, 1878. 
Reports from Sierra County, California, state that the grasshoppers appeared there 
in May and June, since when they have become very numerous, destroying almost 
the entire crops in the Sierra Valley. — [Rocky Mountain News, October 30, 1878. 
Grasshoppers are so plenty in the mountains which the Central Pacific climbs that 
trains can hardly mount the grades, and the brakes sometimes fail coming down. — 
[Boston Journal, 1878. 
• The following more comprehensive account was communicated by 
Mr. J. G-. Lemmon to the Truckee Republican, and pxiblished in several 
numbers of that journal : 
April 5, 1879. 
The amount of damage to crops in Sierra Valley last year (1878) by a certain rav- 
enous grasshopper, or, properly, locust, and the fact that millions of eggs were de- 
posited on hitherto non-visited ranches, menacing a larger area of land than ever^ 
naturally causes a deep interest to be taken in the terrible scourge, and justifies a 
somewhat careful examination of the whole subject. 
I have just been down through the infected district, making observations upon the 
eggs, and taking notes from the inhabitants on the origin and habits of tho locusts, 
which I will first give, then draw conclusions in regard to the insects, methods of 
fighting them, hopes and fears for the future, &c. 
THE SCOURGE NEAR LOYALTON. 
Thomas F. West states that the locusts came from Clover and Last Chance Valleys. 
Saw them in the latter three years ago. Breeding ground previous year (1877) was 
on what is known as "The Island," some few miles out in the valley south of Beck- 
wourth ; arrived at his ranch in myriads June 1st. Their flight was only a few feet 
from the ground, striking heavily against fences and buildings. In the morning 
hours many of them flew southward, then turned, after feeding, perhaps, and returned 
in the afternoon. Many remained and deposited eggs in August, on warm, sunny 
knolls, the rest disappearing southwestward. Loss, about $500. 
F. M. West suffered very severely, and is fearful that his crops will all bo taken 
this year, since eggs are so thickly deposited on his ranch. The insect selects warm, 
dry knolls for this purpose ; large patches are literally filled with eggs. They came 
from the northeast, staid two or three weeks, then went southwest. Did not fight 
against them ; "as well contend against the wind." Loss, 125 tons of hay, §625, and 
his fall feed, estimated at $100. Ranch of 240 acres. Many hatched on his ranch in 
May, but the bulk came from " The Island" about June 20. 
D. T. Machomick lost 120 tons of hay, $600 ; had no grain ; ranch of 160 acres. 
Other items same as the Wests. 
