526 Journal of Agricultural Research volxii, no.8 



Perhaps the most significant result is the high mortality of the eggs 

 and larvae, and as a result the relatively low infestation with flaxseed of all 

 varieties and especially certain ones. The figures are open to criti- 

 cism, so far as the absolute mortality is concerned, since more eggs may 

 have been laid on the ends of the rows, where the egg counts were made, 

 than on the adjoining plants, which were used for the flaxseed determi- 

 nations. However, this criticism would not hold for the relative mortality 

 for the different varieties. 



As will be seen, no flaxseeds were found in einkorn, spring emmer, 

 Culberson Winter oats, rye, and Illini Chief wheat. Very low infesta- 

 tions, 5 per cent or less, were recorded for Tennessee Winter barley and 

 for Beechwood Hybrid, Currell Selection, and Dawson Golden Chaff 

 wheats. The data for rye and for Illini Chief and Dawson Golden Chaff 

 wheats are especially significant, in view of the fact that 2,000 or more 

 eggs per 100 plants were laid on each. 



Of the hard wheats. Red Winter No. 2132 is especially worthy of 

 mention, since it had only 30 flaxseeds per 100 plants, as compared 

 with over 200 for other varieties of the same class. Only 9 per cent of 

 the plants of this variety were infested with flaxseeds, as compared with 

 a range of from 28 to 62 per cent for other varieties of this class. 



In general, the data show a low, or no infestation, with flaxseeds 

 for rye, barley, oats, durum wheat, Poulard wheat, Polish wheat, spelt, 

 emmer, and einkorn. The average number of flaxseeds per 100 plants 

 for 38 varieties of soft winter wheat was 76.1, as compared with 173.7 

 for 27 varieties of hard winter wheat, an increase for the latter of more 

 than 225 per cent. 



These conclusions are based on the rows planted on September 15, 

 but essentially similar results were secured from those rows planted on 

 October i. The infestation on these plots was much lighter than in 

 the former case, and the data are less conclusive. It will be noticed, 

 however, that those varieties which were not infested or which show a 

 low infestation in the first plantings exhibit a similar characteristic in 

 the latter. 



Field tests. — In 191 5 a bushel of Illini Chief wheat was secured by 

 the Entomology Department of the Kansas State Agricultural College 

 and planted in four localities in the State where the Hessian fly was 

 abundant. 



The Illini Chief was practically free from injury in all cases. At 

 Manhattan it showed less than a i per cent infestation, while Turkey 

 wheat in an adjoining plot was infested practically 100 per cent. 



An examination of the plants in the fall and spring indicated that 

 the fly showed no preference for either variety, the eggs being equally 

 numerous on both plots. In the Illini Chief the maggots were able to 

 work their way down to the crown of the plant, but at this point devel- 

 opment appeared to be arrested and the larvae died. 



