THE JOINT-WORM. 561 



The only practicable method of destroying the insects 

 is to burn the stubble containing them. All the straw 

 and refuse, which is unfit for fodder, should likewise be 

 consumed, because it will be found occasionally to contain 

 a small amount of diseased portions of the straw. Some 

 of these may remain among the grain itself, being too 

 heavy to be separated by the process of winnowing. These 

 will have to be picked out by hand. Moreover, as some 

 few of the insects are transformed to flies during the first 

 summer, and these will suffice to continue the race, it 

 becomes important that all the means above recommended 

 should be continued during several successive years ; and 

 when these are universally, carefully, and thoroughly put 

 in practice, they can hardly fail to exterminate the Eury- 

 toma. A free use of manure and thorough tillage, by 

 promoting a rapid and vigorous growth of the plant, may 

 render it less liable to suffer from the attacks of the insect. 

 Large fields, well seeded, will probably escape better than 

 those that are smaller and thinner sown, in which the 

 insects, when about to lay their eggs, can penetrate easily 

 and to a greater distance. 2 



[ 2 In the " American Agriculturist," New York, August, 1861, p. 235, Dr. Fitch 

 reasserts the opinion that this is the "joint-worm," and enumerates four distinct 

 species, viz.: — 



"Eurytoma hordei, Harris (the black-legged or Massachusetts barley-fly). It 

 has the shanks of all the legs black." 



"Eurytoma fulvipes, Fitch, Jour. N. Y. St. Ag. Soc, Vol. IX. p. 115 (the yellow- 

 legged or New York barley-fly). It has all the shanks and thighs of a tawny-yel- 

 low or pale orange hue." 



"Eurytoma tritici, Fitch, Jour. N. Y. St. Ag. Soc, Vol. IX. p. 115 (the joint- 

 worm fly). It has the shanks of the forward legs pale yellow, and the others black." 



"Eurytoma secalis, Fitch, new species (the rye-fly). It has the fore and hind 

 shanks pale yellow, and the middle ones black." This is very abundant in Con- 

 necticut, and without doubt in all the Eastern States. — Noktos.] 



71 



