SEEDS FOR GRASSHOPPER SUFFERERS. 
Just one year ago we wrote an article for the Guide, calling attention of our readers to the 
good people of the West, stricken by the grasshopper plague, suffering for food, and destitute of seed 
for next season’s planting. We offered to take charge of any funds that might be sent us and see 
that it was properly forwarded, agreeing to add one thousand dollars to the fund. Our friends 
responded promptly, and from the facilities we possessed for shipping, a great many societies, 
churches and individuals brought their goods to us for package and direction. We shipped more 
than a hundred boxes, barrels and sacks of clothing, meat and bread. 
About the middle of February, as the people began to look forward to the planting time with 
gloomy forebodings, knowing that their sole reliance for permanent relief must be upon a good 
crop the coming summer, and being both destitute of seeds and the money for their purchase, we 
received thousands of applications for seed for planting. We hardly knew what to do. Money 
was raised in this city, and we offered to give the seeds if the Committee would use the money to 
pay the postage. This was refused, so we determined to do the work alone. Immediately we 
set all our force at work and put up several thousand packages of seeds, each weighing four 
pounds, and consisting of early vegetables, (corn, beans, peas, and a- pretty full assortment of 
other vegetables), the postage on each package costing us thirty-two cents. These we sent to 
every applicant, accompanied with the following circular — the first part only: 
Seeds fok Grasshopper Sufferers. — From every place where people are suffering from the ravages of grass¬ 
hoppers I have had applications for seeds in large numbers — by thousands. I have, therefore, had put up a nice 
collection of selected Garden Seeds for family use, and mostly kinds that will come early into use, and thus fur¬ 
nish food as soon as practical. The value of these packages, of which I have had several thousands put up, and 
one of which I send you, is £2.25 each. The seeds are fresh and pure. Please give them a good chance, and they 
will give you a good reward in food and pleasure. I make a charge of $2.00 against you for these seeds. If you 
can spare a part of it now, send it on, as it will assist us in aiding others; if not, we will wait until after harvest, 
and if you are not able then to meet the demand, all right; we will not ask for it, but will get out a judgment 
against the grasshoppers, that will, perhaps, settle them forever. Yours, &c., James Vick. 
P. S.—With the above Circular I sent out, during the ten days past, over one thousand packages of seed to 
grasshopper sufferers, on which I paid more than three hundred dollars in postage to the Government. Congress, 
on the last day of its session, unnecessarily and meanly, doubled the postage on seeds, so that each package, such 
as I sent before, would cost in postage alone sixty-four cents. To enable me to do a little for all, I have had to 
reduce these packages in weight, and do so with agieat deal of regret. Our friends in the West will realize the 
greatness of this outrage when I state that the same day a law was passed allowing the Agricultural Department to 
send their seeds through the mails, free. The price of this package is $1.25. 
Rochester, N. Y., March 12th, 1875. 
We were busily engaged when Congress unwisely doubled the postage on all merchandise. 
We were then compelled to reduce the weight of these packages and added the postscript, in 
explanation. We knew the people of the West, and we knew their sense of honor and self-respect 
which we would not mortify, so we made a pretense of trusting them. Our confidence was not 
misplaced. From many, very many, we have received remittances, and we fear in some cases from 
persons who could ill afford to make so prompt payment. We would rather had them wait 
another year. We have scores of letters thanking us for what we did, and give one as a sample: 
Mr. James Vick : — Sir :— Nuckolls County Aid Society arc making a report of the amount received from dif¬ 
ferent churches, societies, &c. I visited Rochester in behalf of the destitute. You responded cheerfully and sent 
your seeds to many of the needy people. You sent good seeds, while many of our people were furnished with worth¬ 
less seeds. Now, if you will send me the amount you sent to this county, and also the amount sent to the State, 1 
will have it published in our County and State papers. You have done a noble work in sending so many seeds to 
the destitute. — Maggie M. Follmer, Nelson, Nuckolls County, Nebraska. 
We did not give for honor or profit, but for the sole purpose of doing good, so we do not 
think it best to make a detailed statement. Our books show that the seeds we sent cost us 
$ 5 > 35 °- 56 > and on these we paid about $1,200.00 postage. Our friends sent us in cash $776.00- 
Of the value of clothing, food, etc., we took no account but merely a record of the the number of 
packages and the persons to whom they were sent. We make this statement to show that we kept 
our promise of aid to the sufferers. 
We rejoice to know that Providence has smiled upon the afflicted this year, and the desolate 
places have been made glad. The grasshoppers, though threatening early in the season, soon dis¬ 
appeared. A lady of Dakotah writes : 
Mr. Vick — The seeds you sent out this year have done well. Our Onions were the largest I ever saw. I 
thought it would please you to know that our beautiful Dakota would not be your way begging this year.— M. B. G. 
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