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has been, inconsiderable, Perhaps the insect of most interest is the " Wheat-stem Mag- 

 got," the larva of a small fly known to science under the name of Meromyza Americana. 

 This insect has been observed during the past three years, but nowhere in very large 

 numbers, and only a few complaints have been received of its operations ; but, on the 

 other hand, it is found upon enquiry, that it has been seen in a great many localities, and, 

 moreover, it appears to be steadily increasing in numbers. In some localities in the 

 Ottawa district where, however, it must be stated most enquiry has been made, it is re- 

 ported to have been present for years. Dr. Ferguson, M.P. for North Leeds, states that 

 it is always most prevalent in good seasons, and when there is great drought and a small 

 crop the insects do not appear in such large numbers, but when the growth is vigorous and 

 there is a good deal of moisture, they appear almost invariably. As this was an excep- 

 tionally dry year, should this theory be correct, I fear we may, in an ordinarily 

 moist season, anticipate a severe attack from this insect. There are two distinct kinds of 

 injury committed by this insect. The presence of the larva of the second or summer 

 brood is indicated by the top joint of the wheat turning white just about the time the 

 wheat is in blossom. This character is very noticeable and has gained for it the name of 

 " Silver-top " in some localities. The other kind of attack is that by which the larva 

 destroys the young central shoot of the autumn grown plants of fall wheat. 



Dr. Ferguson states that the usual course amongst farmers in his constituency, has 

 been, where they are general, to put the mower in and cut the crop. This, however, is a 

 severe remedy to which it has not often been necessary to have recourse. 



Mr. D. James, of Thornhill, in the County of York, states that it works particularly 

 in the variety known as " Goose spring wheat," and says, " It is three or four times worse 

 in my fields this year than last. At a rough estimate about every thirtieth head is 

 affected, and it may prove more than this." 



This information is sufficient to show that it is an object requiring special study. 



The life history of this insect is briefly as follows : — The eggs are laid on fall wheat 

 in the autumn — in September and October, these hatch and pass the winter in the larval 

 state, and in the following spring produce, in June and July, the perfect insects. It is 

 supposed by Prof. F. M. Webster, of Purdue University, 111., that these lay their eggs in 

 volunteer wheat, and that these again produce the injurious brood which attacks the 

 autumn fall wheat. Another supposition is that the perfect insects remain alive until 

 the fall wheat appears above ground. This, however, seems hardly likely, and if Mr. 

 "Webster's theory be not correct, it is probable that the gap is bridged over by the exist- 

 ence of a brood in some of the wild grasses. 



Timothy hay has for the last few years suffered severely from a similar injury, by 

 which the top shoot is also destroyed, and the records of the two attacks are much 

 mixed up. 



I have failed in my efforts to breed this insect to maturity. I am, however, at 

 present of the opinion that it is not the Meromyza. The remedies which suggest them- 

 selves for Meromyza at the present stage of the investigation are late sowing of fall wheat 

 and clean cultivation, by which all volunteer wheat is destroyed. 



From the similarity of the attack by the autumn brood to that of the Hessian fly, 

 I feel confident that the two are sometimes confounded by farmers. The larvae and pupa 

 cases of the two are, however, very different in appearance. The Hessian fly, I am 

 thankful to say, is not very injurious in Canada at the present time ; but in parts of 

 Illinois it has lately committed great depredations. The outbreak of this pest, which 

 occurred in England last year, has drawn much attention to entomology in that conser- 

 vative country, and the name of one of our honorary members, Miss Eleanor A. 

 Ormerod, is now more than ever a household word amongst the grateful farmers, whom, 

 by her prompt action and safe advice, she has put in a position to protect themselves 

 against this scourge. I am still however of the opinion, notwithstanding the present 

 state of affairs, that the Hessian fly will never become a " first-class pest " in England. 

 As well as Miss Ormerod, Mr. Whitehead continues to write and publish valuable 

 advice to the farmers on injurious insects. It is to be hoped that they may be awakened 

 to see the value of his words and follow the instructions he so plainly gives. 



The injury to other grains has been small, and with the exception of the as yefc 



