REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST IQi2 33 
middle and the latter part, the total for September amount- 
ing to 4.39 inches. Such conditions are obviously well adapted to 
the early starting and vigorous growth of volunteer wheat and 
would result in the production of an abundant succulent tissue 
and thus produce a condition almost ideal for the development of 
this pest. There may easily have been a supplemental brood on 
many areas prior to the appearance above ground of the regularly 
sown wheat. This extra brood would mean a more severe in- 
festation in the fall and consequently serious damage in the spring. 
It would appear as though the elements had combined to bring 
about an abundant crop of volunteer wheat, practically an extended 
sowing of a trap crop, which latter had not been plowed under 
early enough so as to destroy the pests and prevent further damage. 
Losses in 1912. Wiaunter injury should not be overlooked at the 
outset. Mr F. C. Walker of South Byron stated that ice remained 
on some of his fields from February through March and killed 
most of the grain. The writer saw many low wet spots through- 
out the region where grain had evidently been killed during the 
winter. Some growers held winter injury responsible for from 
one-half to all the loss. The writer is hardly prepared to accept 
such a high estimate for sections where the Hessian fly was rather 
numerous. There were places where this insect was abundant and 
its presence practically ignored. Severe damage appeared to be 
confined largely to Genesee county, though reports of injury were 
received from Livingston county, and the pest was observed some- 
what abundant in Orleans county. We are unable to learn of ex 
tended injury in Erie or Niagara counties, including sections 
severely affected in 1901. 
Erie county. At East Lancaster and east of Crittenden a very 
poor stand of wheat was observed from the train. Mr Gilbert 
Ayers of the latter place considers winter injury to have been 
responsible for most, 1f not all the damage. 
Genesee county. Mr W. FE. Harding, of Linden, reports, under 
date of July 3d, that at first he was inclined to believe there was 
no injury, but on further investigation learned that there was con- 
siderable damage. Later he estimated the crop for 1912 at 13 bushels 
an acre, the normal yield being 25 bushels, and stated that over 
go per cent of the fields were infested. He estimated the loss in 
the town at 40 per cent at least, and adds that one field of six 
acres showed no injury by the fly, though it was seriously damaged 
by ice and water, while in another of seven acres the yield was 
