14 



considerable benefit may be derived from the artificial cultivation 

 and application of this fungus, but its efhciency is very cU^pendent 

 upon this meterological condition, and, as has already been shown, 

 chinch bugs develop in the greatest abundance in dry seasons. It 

 will thus be seen that only during unusual seasons — that is to say, 

 seasons that have been dry while the chinch bugs were hatching from 

 the eggs but wet afterwards — can satisfactory results be expected 

 from this measure. 



The effects of this fungus have probably been overestimated, 

 although there is no doubt whatever that those who have been most 

 instrumental in popularizing this means of destroying chinch bugs 

 were thoroughly sincere and honest in their statements. One very 

 important element of deception to the ordinary farmer, when 

 assuming the results of the effect of this fungus, lies in the fact tliat 

 chinch bugs, when molting for the last time antl passing from the 

 last-stage larva to the adult, hide away under the sheaths of corn 

 and other grain, and, casting the larval skin, make their escape, 

 leaving this behind. These cast skins will occur in immense num- 

 bers in such places and frequently become covered with a white mold. 

 It is almost impossible for anyone except an expert to distinguish 

 the difference between chinch bugs that have been actually Id lied 

 by this fungus and the mass of cast skins covered with ordinary 

 mold. The micertainty as to the effects of this fungus is responsible 

 for its having fallen largely into disuse during recent years. It will 

 thus be seen that this whole matter hinges upon meteorological 

 conditions which are, as has been stated, most powerful factors in 

 holding the chinch bug continually in check, and it is following a 

 succession of dry seasons that the pest commences to become destruc- 

 tive. During seasons of excessive abundance of chinch bugs, this 

 fungus will almost invariably appear among them in the fields, pro- 

 vided that at tliis time there occurs a considerable period of wet 

 weather. 



REMEDIAL AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 



All remedial and ])reventive measures that have been found to 

 possess the merit of reasonable efficiency and practicability are 

 discussed in the following pages. These may not all prove appli- 

 cable in all localities or under every variety of circumstance, and the 

 farmer will often have to adapt his protective measures to weather 

 conditions, location of field and its surroundings, and to the thou- 

 sand and one other variations of a similar nature. 



DESTKUCTION OF CHINCH BUGS WHILE IN HIBERNATION. 



The first effort that may be made with a view to warding olf an 

 attack of chinch bugs is to destroy them in their winter ([uarters. 

 [Cir. iia] 



