76 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
The object of the omission of Wheat, particularly Winter Wheat, is 
of course to afford as little food as,possible for the first generation. 
Similarly the plan has been suggested of abstaining from Corn in 
wheat and other small grain-growing regions, with the purpose of 
affording as little food as possible for the second brood. ‘The result 
of this plan will be that atter harvest the bugs will make their way 
to the wild grasses, will disperse more, and vastly fewer will suc- 
cessfully hibernate than if there were the usual superabundant sup- 
ply of food for the second generation. 
Rotation of Crops.—From these same facts it also follows, with self- 
evident clearness, that crops attractive to these insects shou!d not be 
sown year after year upon the same ground. This idea is so plain 
as to require no elaboration. Abstaining from the cultivation of 
grain upon which the insect feeds where, in spite of the efforts for 
protection elsewhere mentioned, the Chinch-bug damage is still 
great, will of course end the difficulty. Wheat, Barley, Rye, Hun- 
garian grass, and Millet are all important crops, but there are others, 
such as Buckwheat, Clover, Flax, Hemp, all vegetables, and fruits 
which could well be made to take their place for a year or two or 
more if it should become necessary. The one great result of the 
Chinch-bug convention held in Kansas in 1881 was the adoption of a 
resolution to abstain from the cultivation of Wheat from the grow- 
ing crops, the length of time not being mentioned. As we have 
previously shown, large areas of oats could be successfully grown, 
but in corn-growing regions most small grains must be left alone, 
and, above all, Winter Wheat and Barley. Even without concert of 
action among the farmers of a certain region, it will benefit the 
individual to abstain from wheat and to grow oats in preference in a 
year when bugs are expected ; but concert of action is far prefer- 
able. 
Hlarly Sowing and Manuring.—From the evident fact that a strong, 
healthy, well-grown plant will better resist the attacks of the insect the 
deduction follows that Winter Wheat sown early, upon well-manured 
ground and given careful cultivation will be farther advanced in the 
spring and will suffer less from the attacks of the bug. Heavy ma- 
nuring will also cause a denser growth, which experience shows to be 
prejudiciai to the bugs. 
Rolling.—The female Chinch Bug in the spring seeks preferably 
friable ground in which to iay her eggs, consequently rolling the 
land in the fall after the crop of winter wheat is put in will render 
it less favorable to such egg-laying. The same thing may be done 
with even better success after sowing Spring Wheat. 
Sowing an unattractive Crop with Wheat.—Good results have been 
obtained, as shown by Professor Riley, by sowing one or two quarts 
of Flax to the acre in the spring among Fall Wheat. It is put in in 
early spring with a light harrowing and rolling. Its growth does 
not materially injurethe crop. Flax and Barley have also been sown 
mixed upon the same ground, the seed being separated in cleaning. 
Similarly corn-fields which promised a poor stand have been harrowed 
and sown to Buckwheat. We have already mentioned in our section 
on food-plants the successful experiment detailed by Professor Forbes 
in sowing Timothy in the fall with Winter Wheat or Rye, and the same 
author states that in southern Illinois the sowing of Clover in spring 
on Winter Wheat is largely practiced, ‘‘with unquestionably good 
effect, provided that the clover grows freely enough to shade the 
ground by the time the young Chinch-bug gets fairly under way.” In 
