208 SMALL ANIMALS AND INSECTS. [Chap. U. 



The rice weevil has often been found in rice imported from China, and it 

 may have been introduced into this country from tlieiice. It ditfors, both in 

 appearance and habit.*, a little I'roiu the grain weevil. It is said to attack 

 rice in the field as well as after it is stored. It also attacks Indian corn in 

 the field, if left out till late in the fall, or until it becomes quite dry, in those 

 States at the South where this insect most aljounds. 



The same remedies that will answer for one variety of weevil will anawer 

 for all. We give a few more remedies. 



245. To Destroy Weevil. — Grain subject to depredations from the weevil, 

 which develops and matures in the heart of the seeds, and which impaits 

 considerable heat to the bulk of the pile, equal to or above blood-heat, is 

 easily detected on thrusting the hand into tlie body of the grain, by means 

 of the great heat of the mass. 



In France, large quantities of grain are stored up against time of scarcity; 

 and in order to protect it from the depredations of the insects that prey upon 

 it, commissioners have been appointed to examine into the means of destroy- 

 ing them, wlio have reported that a small quantity of chloroform or sulphuret 

 of carlion put into the interior of the grain pit (which is usually in the 

 ground), and then hermetically sealed up, will destroy all the ]iests. About 

 seventy-five grains of sulphuret of carbon arp sutHcicnt for about four busiiels. 

 Grain put up in rail pens, as is the custom in tlie West, may be treated with 

 equal success with this agent, by covering the heap with a tarpaulin or close 

 woven cloth. 



■ A successful farmer in Broome Co., N. Y., recommends cutting wheat while 

 in the milk, and the straw green, and salting it in the mow or stack. He says: 



"About fourteen years ago the weevil appeared upon this farm, and quite 

 seriously afiected the wheat crop. We commenced also about that time 

 cutting our wheat very green, as soon as it was ont of tlie milk, no matter 

 how green the straw or heads; and in order to preserve it the belter in the 

 mow or stack, always applied salt liberally. For many years I have salted 

 my grain mows and stacks, but put none upon my hay. I am now cutting 

 my wheat as green as usual. 



" From my own experience, I am satisfied that if the wheat is thus treated, 

 and not thrashed until after it has been some time piled up, the insect will 

 be destroyed in some of its transformations. At any rate, whoever tries the 

 experiment will be well surprised in the value of his wheat and straw. 

 Where straw is fed to stock — and all mine goes that way — it is sought for 

 with keener relish, and makes better manure, while the wheat is much 

 heavier and plumper than when not so treated. 



" I ought to say, perliaps, that the weevil has not troubled the farm since 

 that year, although wheat has been grown every year. Almost any year a 

 few may be found, but none to do any damage. My soil is a slaty, gravelly 

 loam, and my seeding is usually all done from the 1st to the 10th of Septem- 

 ber, and the best variety of wheat thus far has been the Uue-siem, a beauti- 

 ful variety of white wheat." 



