the wheat culturist. 419 



Wheat Worms. 



In several States, numerous farmers have observed a 

 kind of minute caterpillars on their growing wheat, 

 such as are frequently seen on red clover. The editor 

 of the " Western Rural " states that they are supposed 

 to be identical with the clover worms, which may be 

 seen spinning down from lofts on which clover has been 

 stored. The caterpillars assume the form of chrysalids 

 in September and October; and the perfect insect ap- 

 pears in June, and deposits its eggs on the wheat, 

 shortly after the ears have shot out. These worms are 

 called by various names, in different localities. In some 

 places they are spoken of as gray worms, and in other 

 localities wheat worms. It is not probable that any of 

 the eggs are attached to the ripened grain ; but in order 

 to guard against danger from this source, and also to 

 kill any of the insects that have not been separated from 

 the grain by the fanning mill, the seed should be steeped 

 in a strong brine, and afterward mixed with dry lime. 

 By this treatment, insects and their eggs will be 

 destroyed, and smut prevented. Chaff which con- 

 tains large numbers of these caterpillars, should be 

 burned. 



The true remedy, in addition to the foregoing sugges- 

 tions, is, to fatten the soil, so as to make the wheat grow 

 so luxuriantly, that the little which the insects consume 

 will not be missed in the growth of the wheat. 



The Chlnch Bug. 



This pernicious insect is a very small bug, of a black 

 color, with white wings. In some localities they are 



