166 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
the most attractive retreats, and at the same time most formidable retreats to master, 
For my part, I would be in favor of removing these and replacing them with some 
other kind not so difficult to keep free from the collecting débris carried by winds. 
Uncultivated prairie lands adjoining fields should also be burned early in spring. 
The breaking down and burning of corn-stalks in spring following a Chinch Bug year 
will also destroy myriads of the insects that have hibernated between the leaves and 
stalks. At other times, however, the stalks had better be utilized as manure by plow- 
ing under. If covered deeply, this will be a remedy fully as effectual as if burned. 
Protect the birds, and above all the quails, for they destroy countless numbers of 
hibernating insects of various kinds that are to be picked up about hedges and such 
like resorts frequented by these birds throughout the year. Although belongmg to 
the granivorous birds, the quail is essentially insectivorous, except during inclement 
weather, wnen insects are not easily obtained. In my profession as taxider- 
mist I have dissected many different species of birds, in the crops of which were 
contained injurious insects of various kinds, the Chinch Bug among the others. In 
no other instance do Lremember of the presence of this insect in the crop of abird 
in so great numbers asin that of the quail. Asa rule, but few birds, mammals, rep- 
tiles, or rapacious insects seem to relish any of the odoriferous members of the order 
Memiptera or true bugs. In winter, however, this repugnance is partially overcome, 
and now and then even a Chinch Bug seems a delicate morsel when “‘ meat” is scarce. 
Very few insects are known to prey upon the Chinch Bug; while I, myself, have 
never observed any of the species which have been credited with the good work— 
this attacking the enemy. True, I have frequently seen different species of Lady- 
bugs (Coccinella, Hippodamia, ete.), and the Lace-wing fly upon the same corn-stalk 
with the Chinch Bugs. Upon close observation it was also ascertained that the plant 
was more or less infested with some Aphid or plant-louse which had attracted 
these, their natural enemies, before the other bugsarrived. It must not be inferred 
from what I say here that I discredit the writings of such authorities as Thomas, 
LeBaron, and others. Such is far from my intention. 
Various remedies, as plowing, rolling, ditching, fencing, and the use of insecti- 
cides have been suggested and used with more or less favorable results, both in this 
and other States; deep plowing immediately after harvest having succeeded in a 
few instances by covering the bugs so deeply that they could not creep out. Roll- 
ing at a like season has crushed large numbers, while ditching and fencing have 
succeeded in ‘ bunching” them, and for a time checking their onward movement 
while migrating from small-grain fields to corn-fields. At such times the dragging 
forward aad backward of a heavy weight of some sort has been the means of caus- 
ing great slaughter among their continually increasing ranks. Ditches into which 
water could be turned have formed complete barriers to their creeping migrations, 
but not to the after movements of the winged insects as they were about to mate 
for the second brood. 
This insect, like all other depredators, has its likes and dislikes, and chooses its 
food-plants with considerable daintiness of taste. 
The small grains are the first on the list, after which follow some of the grasses 
and corn. Among the grasses Millet, Hungarian, and Fox-tail stand at the head, 
while a few others that usually grow as weeds follow closely, Wild Buckwheat is 
also quite a delicacy with them, and I have noticed several examples where weedy 
fields were less injured than clean ones, notwithstanding the fact that the one con- 
tained equally as many bugs as the other. Several farmers in this country have 
also mentioned the same fact to me. Asa rule, grain in a grassy field has the dis- 
advantage alongside of that growing in a clean one. During the past summer I 
Saw several examples in which the scale was turned. One of these in particular 
attracted my attention at the time. The crop was corn, growing just across a 
road from a field of wheat which had been so badly damaged as to render its har- 
vest useless. The ground was covered with wild Hungarian or Fox-tail grass which 
at the time, August 6, was dead and perfectly dry for a considerable distance in 
from the road. Upon examination it was found that our old acquaintance was at 
work here, attacking the Fox-iailin preference to thecorn. Referring to my notes 
made on the ground, I find the following: 
“The Chinch Bug is still present in considerable numbers in a few corn-fields, 
but absent from others where there are signs of its work. In these a large per cent. 
of the grass (Fox-tail) has been entirely killed before the corn was attacked. In no 
instance has the corn been greatly damaged, the only perceptible injury being in 
the drying up of a few of the lower leaves.” 
We had several heavy rains just prior to this, so the partial disappearance of the 
pest could very likely be attributed to that cause. Since that date but a few scat- 
tered specimens of the bugs have been noticed. Hence, I imagine our rains of 
August and September have been. of great benefit in their diminution. 
