PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 147 



Dr. Trimble. — These are the 3'ellow rumped warblers of Wilson. These 

 should not only be carefully protected by law, but the people should be so 

 instructed that no law would be needed for the protection. Every man 

 who owned land would learn to consider the birds us part of his property. 

 Another most valuable bird to the farmer is the Baltimore oriole, that beau- 

 tiful little creature which builds such artistic habitations for its young, 

 hanging from the limbs of trees. Both birds and nests are ornamental 

 besides being useful. Whenever you fiwd one of these nests you will find 

 but few worms on the trees. The oriole is the only bird that I know that 

 eats the curculio. 



Squash Vine Bugs — Remedy. 



Mr. Anson Hammond, West Liberty, Iowa, says that by plaaitiiig a few 

 seeds of hemp in each hill of squash or cucumber vines, the striped bug 

 will bo effectually kept away. Let the hemp plant grow until the vines 

 are out of the way of the bugs, then pull them up like other weeds. This 

 information will be worth remembering until next season. 



The Wheat Midge. 



Mr. D. Steck, Hnghesville, L3'coming county, Penn., gives the following 

 full description of the wheat midge and its habits. He saj^s: 



" The perfect insect is a small gnat or fly, as its name (midge) indicates; 

 it is of an orange color, in general form it somewhat resembles a mosquito, 

 but is a little smaller, being only about one-tenth of an inch in length. It 

 has long, slender legs, and two transparent wings. Its antenri-ae are of a 

 blackish color; those of the male are nearly twice as long as those of the 

 female. The eyes are black and prominent-. It makes its appearance from 

 the first of June to the end of July, according to latitude, later as we pro- 

 ceed north. 



" The female deposits her eggs upon the kernels of the wheat, by means 

 of her egg tube, which she inserts in the opening between the valves of 

 the corolla or cliaff Avhich inclose the developing kernel. As many as ten 

 or fifteen are often found on one kernel. In a day or two the larva or mag- 

 got is hatched from the egg, and commences operation upon the immature 

 grain, from which it sucks the juice, of course preventing its full develop- 

 ment, and when several are present, rendering it entirely worthless. la 

 about two weeks the larvae attain their full size, and are prepared to undergo 

 the next change in their existence. They cease feeding, the body of the 

 worm contracts within the skin, and it remains torpid in this state for a 

 few da^'s. It then bursts this envelop and emerges from one end leaving 

 its shell behind. Its appearance is slightly altered. Soon after moulting 

 the insect falls to the ground, where they burrow five or six inches below 

 the surface. Here they lie ensconced until the following spring, when they 

 undergo their next change, that is, from larvae to pupa?. This change is 

 comph.'ted without casting the skin; the wings and limbs of the yet imper- 

 fect insect being uncc)nfined, instead of closely enveloped, as is the usual 

 condition of most insects in the pupae state. It now works its way to the 

 surface, and emerges in the final, complete state, ready again to multiply 

 its species for further destruction. 



