INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE CKANBEBEY. 123 



I have searched many works relating to the Hessian- 

 and Wheat-flies, hoping that some of the remedies that 

 were used against those insects would answer for our gall 

 gnat. Strips of woolen cloth, dipped in melted brimstone, 

 and fastened to sticks in different parts of the field, and 

 particularly on the windward side, are set on fire for sev- 

 eral evenings in succession, at the time the gnats are de- 

 positing their eggs. This has been efficient in the case 

 of the Wheat-fly, and, if thoroughly tested, it might do 

 good in the case of some of onr insects. 



The minute Chalcis flies that sting the maggot, and 

 deposit their eggs within it (which hatch, and then we 

 have a maggot within a maggot, the inside one having 

 the advantage, and killing its host), are doing a great 

 work ; and the Ichneumons, that work in the same way 

 upon the fruit and vine worms, are doing much to pre- 

 vent their increase. I have seen large numbers of dead 

 vine worms tbis season destroyed by these parasites. 



In closing my report, I wish to thank the members of 

 the Association, and the cranberry growers generally, for 

 the aid which they have given me, and for kindnesses 

 which they have shown me at all times, during the three 

 months that I have been engaged in these investigations ; 

 and if my report will induce the growers to study the 

 habits of these insects themselves, and become acquainted 

 with them, in a word, to become their own entomologists, 

 I shall feel that the time which I have spent in the study 

 of these insects has not been in vain. 



