196 Fiftieth Ebport on the State Museum 



The so-called army-worm was brought to my notice during the first week 

 in July. It was then attacking the oat fields in northern Westchester 

 and southern Putnam counties. It developed northward into Putnam 

 county with great rapidity, and much alarm was felt, although it was 

 hoped that many fields would escape and be cut later for the grain. 



On July 1 2th all hope of saving the grain was abandoned and every 

 oat field was hastily cut with scythe and mowing machine to save the 

 straw for fodder. At this time m^any oat fields were utterly ruined on 

 the southern border of the county, and those farther to the north were 

 seriously injured in part. The oats in this section were unusually vigor- 

 ous, the straw in many places measuring five feet in height, with leaves 

 long, broad and succulent. The heads \\ ere heavy and well filled. In 

 fact, the worms were well supplied ^^ iti; ample food and made a rapid 

 development. 



C. \V. H. Brewster (Putnam county), N. Y. 



The army- worm has destroyed a considerable portion of the crops in 

 Dutchess and Orange counties within the past two weeks. 



The Independent, New Paltz (Ulster county) July 24. 



The much dreaded army-worm has invaded Columbia county and is 

 working havoc with the crops in several towns. Over in Kline Kill the 

 destructive pests have appeared in alarming numbers * * * *. They 

 are also attacking growing vegetation on Abm. Vosburgh's land in 

 Ghent. In Kinderhook tlie Scully farm is overrun with the worms which 

 are spreadmg from field to field, devouring everything in their progress, 

 except potatoes. Several other farms in the same town are also suffering 

 from the pest 



^Chatham Republican (Columbia county), July 15. 



Wherever the worm appears ruin follows its tracks, and many a farmer 

 sees all prospect of abundant harvest fade away in a few hours. From 

 the Plains come numerous accounts of their ravages, which are also 

 reported on the South Side, where H. F. Slade had a fine piece of oats, 

 covering eight acres, and last week estimated to yield 75 bushels to the 

 acre. Sunday the worms were seen in the field f )r the first time. Mon- 

 day their ravages had become so apparent, that it was decided to save 

 the remainder of the crop by harvesting it at once. On Tuesday when 

 it was cut with a reaper, the leaves had all been eaten off, and in many 

 instances the head also, so that the field is nearly a total loss. 



The Oneonta Herald (Otsego county), July 16. 



In Chenango county the worms have confined their destructive work 

 to the lowlands. Along the roads and fences, great swarms or droves of 

 the pest may be seen making their way in one great wriggling, squirming 

 mass from field to field. In Oxford the old fair grounds had been sown 

 to oats and corn and also the pieces adjoining them. The worms 

 migrated from one field to another, and in doing so, crawled over the 

 building once used as a grand stand, that being used in place of a fence. 

 The structure was one moving mass and attracted much attention from 

 the village and surrounding country. 



The Watertown Reformer (Jefferson county), July 18. 



