41 



and June; and lie says experience teaches that after a chinch-bug 

 season we cannot, the next year, argue immunity from damage by 

 these insects from any peculiarities of the winter. 



LeBaron, Wm. — Lecture on Insects. (Fourth Ann. Eept. Board 

 of Trustees 111. Industrial University, 1870-71, pp. 176-180.) 



The chinch bug furnishes the most remarkable example on 

 record of the efficacy of climatic influence in exterminating noxious 

 insects. The chinch bug delights in dry, hot weather. The rainy 

 season of 1869, embracing the month of June, which is the chief 

 feeding and propagating season of these insects, almost extermi- 

 nated them from Illinois; but they are again becoming numerous, 

 and in some localities there is reason for the gravest apprehen- 

 sion for the spring wheat crop of the coming year. In those dis- 

 tricts where they were numerous last fall, sow sparingly of spring 

 wheat next year, and get the seed into the ground as early as pos- 

 sible. Burn corn stalks and other litter that lie about fields and 

 fences. It is not probable that these insects would ever multiply 

 to any great extent if spring wheat were not cultivated. They at- 

 tack barley, but will not eat oats unless compelled to [?]. Winter 

 rye, like winter wheat, is too far advanced in early spring, in this 

 part of the country, to be much injured by them. Corn does not 

 easily succumb to them, generally only a few rows being injured; 

 sometimes, however, whole fields are laid waste. These insects gener- 

 ally migrate on foot. Furrows plowed across their path, or boards 

 set on edge and smeared with coal-tar have been used to arrest 

 their progress. The efficacy of all such methods will depend on 

 the thoroughness and ingenuity with which they are carried out.. 



1873. 



Packard, A. S., Jr. — Insect Calendar. The Insects of June. (Our 

 Common Insects, p. 203.) 



Quotes a few lines from Harris concerning the time of season 

 the chinch bug appears, and its food plants; and, as an indication 

 of its wide distribution, says he has detected it in August on the 

 summit of Mt. Washington. 



Prairie Farmer. Eecord of the Season. 



Apr. 5, 1873, v. 44, p. 112. Hancock Co. (Ma.- 26.) "Winter 

 wheat is badly used up on black prairie soil. Some are re-sowing 

 with spring wheat, but most of our farmers refuse to have it on 

 their farms, fearing another plague of chinch bugs." Livingsion 

 Co. (Mar. 26). "Small grain has been wholly discarded here for 

 the last two years on account of the chinch bug." June 21, 1873,. 

 p. 200. Union Co. (June 7). "Chinch bugs are numerous in a. 

 good deal of our wheat this spring." June 28, 1873, j). 208. Ful- 

 ion Co. (June 7). The chinch bug is out in full force, but the 

 present prospect for spring wheat and oats is good. July 19, 1873, 

 p. 232. Clay Co. (5). Chinch bugs plenty. Cumberland Co. (10). 

 "Corn will make a fair crop, if the bugs will let it alone." Fayette 



