THE HESSIAN FLY. 39 



tions and habits of the Hessian fly, (i) written and })ubUshed 

 more than ten years ago, tells us that no other insect of the tens 

 of thousands which teem on this continent has received a tithe 

 of the attention or been chronicled with a tithe of the volumi- 

 nousness that has been assigned to this species. As a natural 

 consequence of this close iuACStigation, every point in its history 

 has from time to time been made public, so that very little that 

 is new can now be embodied in an account of the insect. 



62. In strict agreement with the preceding paragraph, the 

 following account of the Hessian fly brings down its history to 

 the present day, briefly describes the extent and frequency of its 

 ravages, and the means which have been adopted, successfully 

 or otherwise, to guard against them, but does not profess to an- 

 nounce anything new with respect to the habits and econom}^ of 

 this alarming depredator. 



63. Some few points in its history have been amplified, more 

 especially those which relate to the efi'ect which it, in conjunction 

 with the wheat midge, is likely to have upon the cultivation of 

 wheat in the north-western States of the American Union, and 

 the practical but expensive lesson it teaches the Canadian farmer 

 to recognize and adopt — that first law of goodhusbandry — rotation 

 of crops. 



Origin of the Hessian Fly. 



64. It appears at first sight to be a matter of Httle moment 

 to farmers whether the Hessian fly be a native of this continent 

 or an importation from Europe. As a question of natural his- 

 tory and public economy it is both interesting and important, as 

 it shows the necessity of acquiring information respecting the 



(1) The Hessian Fly, its history, character, transformation and habits ; by Asa 

 Fitch, M.D., American Journal of Agriculture and Science, Vols. IV., V. Also, in the 

 transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society, 1846. 



