■AamCULTUBAL MUSEUM 3$ 



THE HESSIAN FLY. 

 !>»->«« 



*^ I have noticed in some of our late papers, that the 

 ilessian Fly has aojain made its appearance in the Igni- 

 ted States ; and that not only in Virginia and some 

 other southern States, but also in some parts of this 

 state, melancholy proofs of the ravages of this devouring 

 insect have been discovered ; I have myself also ob- 

 served, that in the county of Washington, in which I re- 

 fride, the fly is again desolating the fields of wheat. 



^' I hope so potent an enemy will not be treated with 

 jinconcern and neglect by the friends of agriculture, but 

 that they will unite their experience with their energy 

 to repel and counteract his insidious and baneful influ- 

 ^ence, and if possible arrest his progress in his first onset. 



"The result of my observations respecting the Hes- 

 sian Fly, when he before ravaged this country, and the 

 plan adopted for destroying him, which appeared to me 

 most effectual, I here subjoin, with a request you will 

 _give the same a place in your paper. 



" The fly deposits its eggs in the new wheat soon af- 

 ter its springing up in autumn, and before there are any 

 severe frosts ; propagates in the spring, remains in a 

 torpid state till sometime after reaping; is invariably 

 found in the first or second joint of the stalk, and taking 

 wings in the course of A gust Cut your wheat high, 

 remove it immediately from off the land, and without 

 delay burn the stubble; this destroys the insect while in 

 its torpid state, and if the burning be effectual, cuts off 

 the Hessian Fly root and branch in one season. 



" I think I may safely pledge myself to you, that if 

 this plan of cutting the wheat and burning the stubble is 

 universally adopted, we shaU hear no more of the Hes- 

 sian Fly ; and that in addition thereto we shall have 

 larger crops of grain, as ilie burning greatly enriches the 

 land, and has nearly the same effect as a coat of good 

 •jpjujure.'' 



AVmny Gazette, of June, 1799. 



