52 REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS. 



The Clover-seed Midge (Cecldomyia leguminicola). — This pest has 

 caused considerable trouble during the season, although I believe it is 

 subordinate to the clover-seed caterpillar mentioned elsewhere. Sam- 

 ples of clover heads have been received from various localities in which 

 the midge larvae were abundant, and they have doubtless been respon- 

 sible for considerable losses. The farmers of the State seem impressed 

 with the importance of the species and are making efforts to control 

 it. The plan of cuttiug early for the first crop does not seem to meet 

 with so much favor with many of them as the plan of pasturing the 

 clover fields during the spring months so as to prevent the develop- 

 ment of a spring brood of midges. This method presents some advan- 

 tages and I am inclined to think it will prove most advantageous if the 

 clover is allowed to head before turning stock upon it, so that such 

 midges as appear may deposit eggs, and then by turning on a good 

 number of animals the heads may be devoured before the larvae have 

 had time to develop. When the crop is cut for hay there is, of course, 

 some danger that the more advanced larvae may be shaken from the 

 heads and pupate, thus producing the second brood of midges. More- 

 over, the farmers are adverse to cutting for hay early on account of 

 the smaller crop and the interference with other farm work. 



