lii Notices for a Young Farmer 



to be sought for in experience, from practical monitors, or 

 books. 



The art remains imperfect, although so man) ages have 

 elapsed since man was first doomed to cultivate the earth ; and 

 countless volumes have been written on the modes of fulfilling 

 his destiny. Some benefit is, however, always derived from 

 the most humble attempt at instruction ; if it be received with 

 candour and discriminating judgment. It would' be as ha- 

 zardous and vain, (though leading and settled principles are 

 generally applicable,) to recommend the like practice in dis- 

 similar soils and situations, as it would be for a physician to 

 prescribe the same treatment and remedies, to patients dif- 

 fering in strength, constitution, and habits. 



The jbllowing addition to the Note, page XXIX, was omitted 

 in its proper place, 



Mr. Say describes the parasitic insect in the larva of the Hessian fly, scien- 

 tifically. Its length, one tenth of an inch.— He styles it tne Ceraphron, and 

 classes it with the tribe of insects called Ichneumons. It deposits, according 

 to the manners of its tribe, its eggs in the bodies of larvce, (catterpillars,) and 

 Jjecomes perfect by the destruction of the larva of the Hessian fly. ** Protected 

 '* by this indurated covering, the Parasite undergoes its change, and appears 

 «« in the perfect state, about the latter end of June. It seems probable that 

 " this insect prevents the total loss of our wheat crops, by restraining the in- 

 " crease of the cecidomyia, within certain bounds." He says it is often mistaken 

 for the Hessian fly, by those who see it evolve from the pupa of that fly. And 

 flights of the Ceraphron are erroneously taken for Hessian flies. 



The Ichneumons are nature's scavengers, destined to destroy the vermin 

 which wonld otherwise overrun the earth. They breed in catterpillars, corn 

 "rubs, and other such reptiles, which perish in myriads, in consequence. When 

 they are perceived coming out. of the larvce of other insects, it is inconside- 

 rately alleged, that the corn-grubs, &c. turn into flies. It would be desirable 

 that some naturalist would discover the parent of the corn grub ; there being 

 no abolutely certain, but many various opinions on that subject. 



It is said that a parisitic insect is found in the incisions made by locusts in 

 the branches of trees. No doubt an Ichneumon, placed there for destruction of 

 the eggs of the locusts, to prevent their unbounded increase. 



