54 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 14 



than any other insect as an illustration of what can be done by adapting 

 agricultural practice so as to strike at the weak point in an insect's life 

 history. 



During the past few years, some entomologists have inquired some- 

 what further and have tried to find safe seeding dates for the different 

 sections of our nation, basing them on the average dates determined 

 through a series of years on observation plots seeded on different dates. 

 However, for several years, some of the Ohio entomologists have greatly 

 distrusted for fly prevention, the reliability of the seeding dates com- 

 monly depended on to secure a maximtun yield and also to escape fly 

 damage. They have, therefore, sought to find some more certain method 

 of putting the young wheat beyond the reach of flies which sometimes 

 decline to obey the schedules made out for them by the entomological 

 brotherhood. The method devised has been used quite successfully 

 during two different seasons to determine the best dates, but does not 

 seem to promise constant and uniform success. Supplemented by the 

 judicious use of other known methods it bids fair to prove valuable. 



To discover the gradual approach of a Hessian fly outbreak has 

 engaged our attention. Few entomologists in the field have had the 

 opportunity and facilities to study this phenomenon and thereby obtain 

 sufficient knowledge to certainly predict the visitation and hence, 

 prevent it, or curtail in part the losses it would cause. The entomologi- 

 cal workers of Ohio through the Annual Wheat Insect Survey, have 

 determined such a means of forecast and have successfully used it to 

 foretell and greatly to reduce the most serious outbreak the state has 

 experienced for many years; viz, that of the fall of 1919. 



Preliminary Work of 1919 



In the summer of 1917, the Ohio Experiment Station, as a war activity, 

 organized the wheat survey. So mnch of promise seemed involved in its 

 continuance, that each year since 1917, all of the entomological workers 

 of Ohio State institutions have been called together to make the Wheat 

 Insect Survey, the general direction of the work being shifted from one 

 to the other of the State Entomological departments according to 

 convenience. In July, 1919, this practice resulted in detecting the 

 presence of the Hessian fly in threatening nimibers. Since a progressive 

 development of the pest was clearly indicated by the data gathered by 

 this and the preceding surveys, a campaign for "safe seeding" was at 

 once organized by the Extension Entomologist. This was conducted 

 through farm bureaus and local, county, and state papers, circular 

 letters, posters and community meetings, the effort being specially 

 centered on northern Ohio. The seeding dates recommended were 



