68 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. Frascr claimed tlitit ho luul been to some extent misunderstood. He 

 advocated clipping liorses that ^vere working steadily, for the same reason that 

 a man in doing work would take off his overcoat. When the horse is at rest 

 or exposed to cold he should of course be properly protected. 



Prof. Beal asked whether a horse should be fed all the hay he would eat. 



Dr. Fraser said the small size of the horse's stomach should be considered. 

 When horses are doing a full amount of work and have but a short time to eat 

 they should have concentrated food. Tlie most concentrated he would feed 

 first. AVhen the horse is not doing work, or doing but littic, he would reverse 

 that order. 



FORENOOX SESSION. 

 Fremont E. Skeels read the following paper on 



INJURIOUS INSECTS. 



A most interesting as well as instructive study for one to follow is that which 

 pertains to insects. It is entertaining, because nowhere else does nature pre- 

 sent more striking realities ; instructive, because it gives one an incentive to 

 notice and to acquire the habit of observation, which habit once attained will 

 bring ns into immediate contact with nature's rarest gems. 



Those who look carefully, earnestly into the workings of the insect world, 

 will discover a vast field of entertainment as well as instruction. Some there 

 are who insist that nothing entertaining can be found in the wriggling worm 

 or tiny beetle which can be seen only by the aid of the microscope ; but these 

 have only glanced at the threshold of this department of life ; it must be 

 crossed before they can enter into the delightful realms beyond. 



But there is a necessity for this insect study ; men must keep pace with the 

 wonders of the insect world. Before the extensive forests and vast marshes — 

 abounding in plants of every description — were turned into fields covered with 

 agricultural products insects found abundant plant-food. The scene has 

 changed. Their favorite plants being destroyed they have been compelled to 

 come to the farmer and horticulturist for food. It is estimated that there 

 are four species of insects for every species of plants in some of our most pop- 

 ulous States. These facts would seem to decide the importance of the study 

 of Entomology. 



But my subject was to be Injurious Insects, and craving pardon for dwelling 

 at length npon my particular hobby, I proceed at once to duty. 



Probably the most important crop to the Michigan farmer is that of wheat; 

 the insect which prays most upon this cereal at the present writing is the Hes- 

 sian fly, known among us as "the fly," "the insect," and by other appropri- 

 ate names. 



Very much has been written, more has been said; much more will probably 

 be written and said about this little pest, yet it continues to despoil our wheat 

 fields. The remedies thus far advised are many but without thoroughly bene- 

 ficial results. 



The Hessian fly is, undoubtedly of European origin; it was not known in 

 this country prior to 1778, and then found in the vicinity of ISTew York. The 



