Extract from the Gazette, 1742
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 27, 1742.

We hear from several Parts of the Country, that infinite Multitudes of black Worms or Caterpillars coming out of the Earth, threaten Destruction to the late promising Crops of Corn and Grass; large Fields being in a Day or two cut down and devoured by them, and the Ground laid bare. Considerable Mischief has likewise been done in the Pastures near this City, and many find themselves obliged to mow sooner than they intended, to save what they can. Indeed it behoves People to watch their Fields narrowly, for where no Worms have been seen on one Day, there have been Millions the next. In the Country some People to secure their Fields, run narrow Trenches round them; others where the Worms are already among the Corn, find an Advantage in running thro’ the Fields backwards and forwards with Ropes between two Persons, and bending the Corn, thereby shake them down two or three Times a Day; and hope in a few Days their Time will be over.

[May 27]
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