51 
3. Grazing.—This measure is alluded to as worthy of attention, 
in the first account of this insect published in this country, where 
the fact is stated, that “by feeding the crop very close in the win- 
ter and spring, if the land is rich it will again spring up, and the 
worms do not much injure the second growth.” It is plain that 
a close fed crop will furnish few leaves for the fly to place its eggs 
upon, and“these leaves will be commonly consumed before the 
eggs are hatched. Gen. Cocke directed public attention strongly 
to this measure in 1817, and six years subsequently states that full 
experience had amply confirmed him in his estimate of its efficacy. 
(Amer. Farmer, v., 241.) If in autumn it be omitted till after 
the eggs are hatched, and the worms have descended to the root, 
it can obviously be of little or no service. When, therefore, an 
attack of the fly is feared, as the exact time of the deposition of 
the eggs is somewhat variable in different seasons, it will be ne- 
cessary to watch the young wheat, as soon as two or three blades 
from each root appear; and if the fly is discovered profusely de- 
positing its eggs, sheep or other stock should at once be turned 
upon it, in such numbers, if possible, as to eat down the crop ina few 
days. The eggs will thus be destroyed, and the favorite nidus of 
the fly for continuing this deposite, will be effectually broken ur : 
it will thus be compelled to resort to other quarters. The same 
process may also be repeated in the spring, if found necessary. 
No injury to the crop need be apprehended from its being thus 
grazed down, if the soil is of due fertility —it soon and entirely 
recovers’ from this operation. Moreover, if the soil is poor and 
impoverished, the fly will be sure to injure it far more than what 
the sheep will do. We cannot, theaefore, but regard this as a most 
judicious and important measure, if seasonably resorted to. The 
intelligent wool grower, will scarcely require to be informed, that 
sheep taken from their ordinary walks, should at first remain upon 
the rank feed of the wheat field but an hour or two of a day. 
4. The roller.—Passing over the grain with a heavy roller, is 
a remedy in commendation of which several writers concur, sup- 
posing that many of the eggs upon the leaves will thus be crushed 
Col. Morgan was in the habit of both rolling and grazing his 
