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[LeBaron, Wm.] — The Chinch Bug. (Prairie Farmer, Aug. 12, 

 1871.) 



Never before spread over so large an area. No heavy cold rain 

 in June, which, so far as known, is the only destructive agency 

 that operates against the chinch bug to any great extent. Knows 

 of no predaceous or parasitic enemies. A correspondent calls at- 

 tention to absence of chinch bugs from corn about which ants 

 have thrown their hillocks of sand. Prospect for small grain 

 in 1872 is discouraging. If the damage were confined to small 

 areas, LeBaron would advise abandonment of spring wheat and 

 barley; but says the matter assumes a more serious aspect, when 

 we consider that more than half of Illinois and considerable por- 

 tions of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska are affected. The 

 alternative of giving up wheat altogether and planting only^ corn 

 would answer for a small area, but not for a large one, because 

 of the effect on supply and demand. Every one must use his own 

 judgment; but we can see no other rational course than to abandon 

 spring wheat and barley wherever chinch bugs have prevailed the 

 present season, and run the chances upon winter wheat, rye, and 

 other staple crops. When myriads of bugs have settled on a 

 wheat field nothing can be done. Plowed furrows and boards set 

 edgewise and smeared w^ith coal-tar have been used to obstruct 

 passage from one field to another. 



[LeBaron, Wm.] —The Chinch Bug and Other Insects. (Prairie 

 Farmer, Aug. 26, 1871.) 



First quotes a letter from a correspondent who deprecates the 

 recent practice of plowing under corn stalks as one which saves 

 the lives of the chinch bugs, urging, instead, the burning of the 

 stalks. LeBaron says the suggestion is in the right direction, 

 but mentions some practical difficulties in carrying it out, and 

 also notes its insufficiency as a remedy. 



[LeBaron, Wm.] —The Chinch Bug Once More. (Prairie Farmer, 

 Sept. 2, 1871.) 



Writes in reply to the following questions submitted by a Ne- 

 braska farmer: "(1) Have we greater reason to fear the recur- 

 rence of the chinch bug next season on account of their great 

 prevalence at the present time? (2) Will these pests be likely to 

 remain with us late enough to do fall wheat damage? (3) All 

 things considered, which would involve the least risk, to put in 

 largely spring wheat or winter wheat?" 



After a consideration of some general principles as to insect 

 multiplication and natural checks thereupon, he says in reply to 

 No. 1, "Yes, unless there are some agencies at work of which we 

 are totally ignorant." Speaks of June rains as an important check 

 upon prevalence of chinch bug, and believes that it "has never 

 been known to prevail in any year when the month of June of the pre- 

 ceding year has been attended by heavy rains." No. 2 he answers 

 in the negative, and No. 3 in favor of winter wheat, as it is not 

 especially liable to injury either in fall or spring. 



