﻿OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 37 



sometimes not more than a quarter of a mile away, were entirely 

 exempt from its injuries. I have had no difficulty in accounting for 

 these circumstances in the light of what is hers stated. 



Much good winter work may be done also in the way of trapping 

 the bugs. In seeking winter quarters, they show a decided partiality 

 for any flat substances, such as old boards, that do not rest too closely 

 upon the ground. If all old boards that can be obtained are laid 

 around a field, in the Fall, in such manner that the larger part of the 

 lower surface will not quite rest on the ground — which of course it 

 will not do if the ground is in the least bit uneven or covered with 

 grass — the bugs will congregate under such traps, and during the cold 

 weather of Winter may be scraped from them on to dry straw and 

 burned. 



In this connection, and to show the folly of waiting till the last 

 moment, I take the liberty of publishing the following letter as a 

 sample of many that reach me about harvest time : 



Dear Sik : I once noticed in the Kansas agricultural reports an article from 

 your pen on noxious insects, and how to destroy thera, and a few days since I read in 

 the St. Louis Globe of the o^ood work you were doing-. 1 now write to you in the hope 

 that you can do as good a turn for a sad lot of farmers as you did for Mr. Whittaker. 



We are being eaten out by the Chinch Bug ; Spring wheat and barley utterly 

 ruined — none left to eat; Winter wheat damaged one-half, and whole tields of corn 

 being laid waste. I hear of many instances where from ten to fifteen acres are gone, 

 and the bugs marching steadily on. A few persons are trying to stop them by spread- 

 ing straw in their way and burning or dragging logs ; some are trying coal tar ; but 

 generally the bugs are marching onward. 



I look from my window on a fine, large field of oats over half ruined. Many are 

 cutting oats in the bloom or milk to save something. 



I have seen grasshoppers twice, and would prefer them of the two. If you can 

 tell us something about them and how to prevent their ravages, drive off or destroy 

 them, you will confer upon us the greatest favor and receive our heartfelt thanks. 



Wishing you God-speed in your noble efforts to help our insect-cursed country, 



I am, with respect, 



H. V. NEEDHAM. 

 Mastei' of Grange No. 71, P. of H. 



Summit, Kansas. 



All such letters, when they come from citizens of Missouri, I make 

 it a point to answer, as far as other duties will permit ; but from the 

 rather lengthy account of the Chinch Bug here given, it is obvious 

 that relief in all cases like that of Mr, Needham, is sought at the last 

 moment, when it cannot be got except through providential rains or 

 irrigation. Yet it is always at this last moment that the cry of dis- 

 tress goes up from the large body of farmers, or that any efforts are 

 made to avert it, except by the few who have been properly informed 

 and understand the habits of the enemy. That these last form but a 

 small (though I am happy to say constantly increasing) portion of the 

 agricultural community is, perhaps, to be regretted. A practicable, 



