Season of 1816. 195 



York> June 5, 1817. 



Sir, 



In consequence of a publication, signed by you, as se- 

 cretary of " The Philadelphia Society for promoting Agri- 

 culture," I am induced to communicate, on some of the 

 points, what came under my own observation. In this 

 county, (York,) the crops of wheat are generally very 

 luxuriant, and promise an abundant harvest. The Hes- 

 sian fly has done little or no injury ; at any rate, it can- 

 not be discerned by examination. 



The only effectual remedy for preventing the dreadful 

 effects of this destructive insect, is late sowing. It is be- 

 lieved, that sowing after several severe frosts, or about 

 the first of November, is the only method discovered by 

 experienced farmers, to prevent the fly's ravages. 



The grub, or cut worm, as it is generally called, has 

 done injury to an alarming extent. Some fields of corn 

 are entirely destroyed, and require re-planting. Some 

 farmers have made use of precautionary means, by roll- 

 ing the seed corn in ashes. It is supposed that the ashes, 

 adhering to the grain, render it unpalatable to the cut 

 worm. These means have actually answered the expect- 

 ed purpose, and have facilitated the vegetation of the 

 plant. There is another remedy, which has also proved 

 destructive to the cut worm, and a preservative to the 

 tender plant of corn, viz. When the plant is just pierc- 

 ing the soil, take a tea-spoon full of slacked lime, (or 

 even more will do no harm,) and scatter it on the plant. 

 Another method, — Roll the seed corn in slacked lime, it 

 will produce the same result. These experiments have 

 been tried, and I firmly believe will answer the cxpecta- 



