78 



Believes that entomological prediction based on meteorological 

 records promises the most important aid. Thinks that such rec- 

 ords are sufficient to give a forecast of the coming year with ref- 

 erence to rainfall with reasonable certainty, at least in the North- 

 west, and that farm crops may consequently be selected to avoid 

 injury by insects most likely to appear. Prediction that "chinch 

 bug will not be injurious next year (1882) in the Northwest, (1) 

 because year will not be dry; (2) because these insects have not 

 been known to appear generally and in great numbers for two 

 succe^ive seasons; and (3) because the recent rains have to a i>Teat 

 extent destroyed them." Mentions as remedies especially applica- 

 ble to chinch bug, irrigation, burning in winter quarters, and crop- 

 ping against them. Advises Central and Southern Illinois farmers 

 "to cease raising so much corn and to rely to a greater extent 

 upon oats, grass, and other crops." Says that corn, spring wheat, 

 and barley are the crops that chiefly assist in developing these 

 insects. Early crops least likely to suffer. Early varieties of oats 

 and corn should be selected when chinch bug is apprehended. 

 In discussion following (pp. 48, 49), reported as saying that "if we 

 ever get rid of this pest we must quit raising corn." In Kansas 

 they are legislating to prevent the raising of winter wheat as one 

 means of reducing this insect. "If we abandon the growing of 

 winter wheat and corn they must perish." 



Johnson, J. S.— [Chinch-Bug Notes.] (Trans. 111. State Hort. 

 Soc, 18:^1, V. 15, p. 49.) 



Reported as saying that chinch bugs were plenty in 1848 near 

 Nauvoo, where he lived, and that in 1849 they took the corn. 

 Found in myriads in the grass the fall succ^eeding. . Has held them 

 in water more than an hour without injury to them. Took corn 

 this year, a mile away from any wheat. 



Prairie Farmer, .1882. [ Destroying Insects.] 



"When chinch bugs are prevalent in corn the stalks should be 

 raked together and burned, and all dead grass-bottom should be 

 served in the same way." 



Thomas, Cyrus. —Best Means of counteracting our Insect Foes. 

 (Trans. Ind. Hort. Soc, 1881, p. 81.) 



Prophecy that the chinch bug would do little damage in 1882 



Treat, Mary. — The Chinch Bug. ( Injurious Insects of the Farm 

 and Garden, pp. 112 120.) 



Feeds <n) grasses and cenmls. Short-winged form in Canada 

 and more; northern states. Hibr^-uates as an adult. Two-broode 

 in Middle States; probably three })roods in more southern states 

 IjggH deposited under gj'ound on roots of food plants; the mor 

 compact the soil, then^f'ore, tlu; less this operation is facilitated 

 and hen(;c the advantage of fall plowing for s})ring grain, or o 

 rejH^aUMl rolling aftej- seeding if plowing is done in spring. AVe 

 land, heavy rains, and oi)en winfers pn^judicial to it. Instance 



