124 LIFE ON THE FARM. 



keep down the ravages of insects. Grain should 

 be harvested and threshed as soon as possible to 

 prevent the winged forms of insects from infesting 

 it in the fields. 



For stored grains, bi-sulphide of carbon seems to 

 be the best and most practical insecticide. Bi-sul- 

 phide of carbon is a liquid with a strong, disagree- 

 able odor. It vaporizes readily in the free air, is 

 highly inflammable, and a powerful poison. It is 

 very effective in killing insects, but it does not 

 injure the grain. The liquid can be placed in 

 dishes above the grain and allowed to vaporize. 

 The vapor is heavier than air and soon sinks 

 through the mass of grain to the bottom of the 

 bin, killing all vermin therein. The liquid is put 

 up in tin cans, is cheap, and easy to handle. 



THE HESSIAN FLY. 



Besides being injured by weevil in the bin, wheat 

 is also subject to attack in the field by a still more 

 formidable enemy, known as the Hessian fly. It is 

 held by some that this pest was introduced into the 

 United States during the Revolution by the Hes- 

 sian troops. It began its ravages in the vicinity of 

 their landing, and was probably brought over in 

 straw, which they used for bedding. The first 

 injuries were noticed in 1779. 



There is an annual loss in the United States of 

 about fifty million bushels of wheat, due to the 

 ravages of this insect. In some localities there is 



