112 [Assembly 



INSECTS. 



The depredations of all other animals upon our crops, does not 

 amount to one quarter of those committed by insects. This country 

 loses annually from five to ten millions of bushels of wheat by their 

 ravages. This State loses every year, by ihe Hessian fly and the 

 wheat worm, between one and three millions bushels of wheat : less 

 perhaps for a few years past. Scientific men have taken great pains 

 with the history of insects ; but we require plain practical instruc- 

 tions very much. The canker worm has destroyed orchards to the 

 amount of hundreds of thousands of dollars within the last ten years. 

 Look at our losses in peach trees, from another insect, in the last 

 fifteen years ; they are enormous. I have made the habits of insects 

 a study for many years ; and we may study on for twenty more, it is 

 well worth the trouble. To avoid the fly and worm in wheat, sow 

 early or late ; when your grain has attained some heighth, you will 

 find the nits of the insect on it ; then turn in sheep or young cattle, 

 who will eat off all the blades, nits and all. If you sow late you 

 avoid the nits — you may miss them ; besides, the mairure left by your 

 sheep is very good for your crop. 



The wheat worm made its appearance in Alabama about twenty 

 years ago. It was supposed to have been imported in wheat, and has 

 been extending in every direction, at the rate of five or six miles per 

 annum, so that already it operates in a circle of about 200 miles in di- 

 ameter. The egg is deposited on wheat in its blossom and its milky 

 state. The fly which deposites it may be seen hovering over the fields in 

 immense numbers. It resembles the common house fly somewhat, 

 but is longer and of a dark gray color. The worm perforates the 

 grain, sucks out the milk, leaving your grain apparently sound, but 

 really all chaff. 



Now as to the remedy. This wheat worm has destroyed hundreds 

 of thousands of bushels of wheat. I know but one remedy, and that 

 is easily tried, and said to be effectual. Take quick lime, slacked 

 perfectly fine, when dry sow it with your three fingers (just as you 

 do grass seed,) all over your wheat field, soon after the wheat is in 

 blossom, and when you see the flies hovering over the field — sow in 

 this way about two pecks of lime on an acre. The dew will moisten 

 the lime, and it then reaches the insect larvae and kills them. This 



