OF THE FARM AND GARDEN. 117 



kept constantly moist with a coat of coal tar, which was 

 renewed every day. 



The bugs according to their regular tactics, advanced 

 to the assault in solid columns, swarming by million's, 

 and hiding the ground. They easily ascended the boards, 

 but were unable to cross the belt of the coal tar,, Some- 

 times they crowded upon one another so as to bridge 

 over the barrier, but such places were immediately cov- 

 ered with a new coating. The invaders were in a quan- 

 dary, and, in that state of mind crept backward and for- 

 ward until they tumbled into the deep holes aforesaid, 

 these were soon filled, and the swarming myriads were 

 shovelled out of them literally by wagon loads, at the rate 

 of thirty or forty bushels a day, and buried up in other 

 holes, dug for the purpose, as required. This may seem 

 incredible to persons unacquainted with this little pest, 

 but no one who has seen the countless myriads which 

 cover the earth as harvest approaches, will feel inclined 

 to dispute the statement. It is an unimpeachable fact. 

 The process was repeated till only three or four bushels 

 could be shovelled out of the holes, when it was aban- 

 doned. The corn was completely protected and yielded 

 bountifully. 



FALSE CHINCH-BUGS. Some insects, with a general 

 resemblance to the true Chinch-bug, are sometimes mis- 

 taken for that, and as they are general feeders, have 

 given rise to reports that garden crops and others besides 

 the grains and grasses, are attacked by the Chinch-bug. 

 The most frequently mistaken for the true one is the 

 False Chinch-bug (Nysius destructor, Riley), fig. 81, of 

 which I is the pupa, and c the mature insect, the lines 

 showing the real size. Its general color is grayish- 

 brown, and that of the pupa dingy yellow. The insect 

 is common in Missouri and Kansas. It attacks many 

 garden vegetables, especially those of the Mustard Fam- 



