AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMNET STATION. 129 



through the larval stages described above and finally pass into the 

 pupa stage. Bugs hatched in May become mature in July when 

 after pairing eggs for a second brood are laid. In July there is 

 usually a flight of the bugs to new fields and by this means the 

 infested area may be greatly extended. The second brood reaches 

 maturity in the fall and by cold weather is ready to seek winter 

 quarters, completing the life history. 



Remedies. 



It is well known in the West and South where the Chinch- 

 bug has done so much damage, that there are Chich-bug 

 3^ears, when climatic conditions combine to favor the rapid 

 increase of this pest. A wet, backward spring and well distri- 

 buted summer rains are known to destroy the eggs and young of 

 the first brood and prevent the great increase of the second brood 

 later in the season. The correspondence given above shows, that 

 the pest has been in Maine in the infested district for a great many 

 years, and it has not done serious damage until the past season. 

 The conditions last year were probably a dry time while the 

 eggs and young of the first brood were maturing and they survived 

 in greater numbers than usual and gave rise to a much larger 

 second brood. The coming season may be unfavorable for them 

 and no great injury occur. The heavy rain fall of Maine will 

 probably protect this State from such severe scourges as some of 

 the Western States with less rain fall have suffered. The Chinch- 

 bug seems very much adverse to fresh water baths and does not 

 flourish in moist climates, upon very wet lands, or upon luxuriant 

 crops that shade the ground and keep it moist. 



The correspondence shows that the area is increasing and the 

 matter is serious enough to demand careful attention. There 

 should be concerted action upon the part of the farmers of the 

 infested district. Whatever remedy is adopted to check this 

 injurious insect will be of little avail unless it is a combined effect 

 of the entire population in the infested district. One of the great 

 diflSculties is to secure concert of action. There are improvident 

 farmers in every neighborhood who harbor weeds and injurious 

 insects and will not destroy them, and there is no law to compel 

 them. Public opinion and moral suasion are the only available 

 levers. Below we suggest some remedial measures that may be 

 applicable in Maine. 



