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12 | Contagious Diseases of the Chineh-bug. 
hope is in the diseases which we know to be destructive to the 
bugs under proper conditions. How much relief is to accrue to 
the farmer from the ravages of these diseases cannot be pre- 
dicted beforehand, on account of the complexity of circum- 
stances which affect them. It is simply acting the part of 
wisdom, however, to see that the germs of disease are present 
in the field. 
8.—_WATCHFULNESS NECESSARY. 
In using either infectious diseases or the barrier method it is 
important to know at an early date whether there are bugs 
present in the small-grain fields. As soon as the ground is 
thawed in the spring search should be made for the bugs under 
stones and debris, and at the roots of grasses and small-grain 
plants. If bugs are present Sporotrichum should be scattered 
at once. Too frequently the farmer becomes aware of the 
presence of chinch-bugs when he is cutting his small grain, or 
when the bugs are swarming into the corn-field or have already 
taken possession of it. When we consider the tremendous | 
losses annually due to the ravages of the chinch-bug, and the 
possibilities, with our present knowledge, of preventing the 
larger part of these losses with proper foresight and care, we 
are convinced that no labor by the farmer is so well paid as 
that spent in protecting his crops from these pests. 
9.—UNITED EFFORT NEEDED. 
The farmers should organize in every community, and fight 
the chinch-bug in an intelligent and systematic manner. This 
is a common cause and should have united effort. 
Early in the fall the farmers about Mulvane, in Sedgwick 
county, organized an anti-chinch-bug association, and are ready 
‘for concerted action in the spring. If their example were fol- 
lowed throughout the state the chances of success would be 
greatly increased. At the close of this report we will outline a 
plan of defense suited to individual and concerted action. 
