74 



the outcome of circular No. 1, issued in October, 1884, from Purdue 

 University. It was only after testing the stability of this feature in 

 various fields, under widely different conditions, that I placed full 

 reliance upon its permanency. An illustrated circular of inquiry, No. 2, 

 issued by myself from Purdue University during the fall of 1887, 

 brought also a great number of replies, from among which I have 

 selected the two following, because of their widely separated localities 

 and the well-known ability of the writers: 



Clyde, N. Y., December 9, 1887. 

 Dear Sir: In regard to the appearance of wheat plants infested with Hessian fly, 

 and as illustrated and explained by Fig. 3 of circular, 1 believe that it is correct in the 

 main, especially the darker color possessed by infected plants over healthy plants, 

 and this is, as you say, quite different from the information given by Fitch and Pack- 

 ard ; and you have published this quite constant and true form and condition for the 

 first time, I believe. I had noticed this somewhat a year ago, and in bringing up the 

 destruction done by the Hessian fly in a Grange meeting, I found that a number of 

 farmers reported this very condition, viz: when fields or parts of fields looked extra 

 dark colored and healthy, damage from the fly was to be apprehended there. Still, 

 the yellow color came after a while, especially with early-sown winter wheat in a 

 long autumn or the following spring. I think the spring brood are apt to select 

 tillers. 



Truly, 



W. L. Devereaux. 



Prof. F. M. Webster, 



La Fayette, Ind. 



University of California, College of Agriculture, 



Berkeley, December 15, 1887. 



Dear Sir: Your favor of November 28, with circular relating to appearance of 

 grain infested with Hessian fly, received. The appearances you describe are quite 

 characteristic of fly-infested grain here, but it is not seen in the fall, for we do not have 

 any grain above ground at that time. The districts in which the fly is found in this 

 State are of narrow area comparatively near the coast. In these parts it is not usual 

 to sow grain until after the winter rains have wet the ground enough for plowing, 

 and sowing can some years be made as late as the last of February, and still do well. 

 It is better, however, both for the growth of the grain and baffling of the fly, to sow 

 in January if the soil is in proper condition. For these reasons we do not find the 

 flaxseeds until about the first of March, and then it is that the grain assumes the fea- 

 ture you describe. It is a very bunchy growth, with very few yellow leaves and ex- 

 ceedingly few seed stems thrown out. On some of our plats there will not be a single 

 stem, but the grain will remain bunchy and low for weeks, and then will turn yellow 

 and die as the dry season comes on. On other plats there will be a seed stem thrown 

 out here and there, and a few heads will ripen. 



Such is my recollection of the appearance of past crops. We do not intend to sow 

 wheat and barley this year on our fly-infested ground, but the pest may follow our 

 sowing on another part of the grounds, and if it will be of interest to you, I will 

 watch the plants and send you specimens. 

 Yours very truly, 



E. J. Wickson. 



Prof. P. M. Webster. 





