When was it published?

July 20, 1770 in The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Domestic News July 20, 1770

The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Q: What keywords are associated?

Canker Worms, Infestation, Grass Destruction, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Trenches, Bites

Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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What is this article about?

Canker-worms have infested fields in New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, and this Province, devouring grass and prompting people to dig trenches around buildings and fields to prevent damage. The insects crawl over obstacles, destroying vegetation, and bite barefoot workers after mowing, though not venomously.

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Full Text

The Canker-Worms, which have ravaged the Fields & devoured the Grass, in great Quantities, in New-Hampshire and Rhode-Island, as well as this Province, have appeared in this and the neighbouring Towns in great Multitudes; so that some People, to prevent as far as possible being infested with them, have been obliged to dig Trenches round their Buildings, Corn-fields, &c. These Insects travel from Field to Field, passing Roads, and crawling over Fences, Walls and Houses, eating and destroying the Grass as they come across it.

"It has been observed (says a Boston Paper) that when the Grass has been mowed, to prevent their destroying the whole, the Heat of the Sun makes them uneasy; and have bit several People that were at Work barefoot, but their Bite, though smart, is not venomous."

What sub-type of article is it?

Agriculture Disaster

What keywords are associated?

Canker Worms Infestation Grass Destruction New Hampshire Rhode Island Trenches Bites

Where did it happen?

New Hampshire, Rhode Island, And This Province

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

New Hampshire, Rhode Island, And This Province

Outcome

insects bite barefoot workers after mowing, causing smart but non-venomous pain; people dig trenches to mitigate infestation and crop damage.

Event Details

Canker-worms ravage fields and devour grass in great quantities across New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, this Province, and neighboring towns. They appear in multitudes, travel between fields over roads, fences, walls, and houses, destroying grass. To prevent infestation, people dig trenches around buildings and corn-fields. A Boston paper notes that after mowing, sun heat agitates them, leading to bites on barefoot workers.