95 



On the other hand, flax, clover, buckwheat, and all plants in 

 general which do not belong to the family of grasses, remain 

 absolutely uninjured by it, even under the pressure of actual 

 starvation. 



PKEVENTION AND REMEDY. 



There is a general, but mischievous impression among the far- 

 mers of this State, especially to the southward, that it is useless 

 to contend against the chinch bug, and that its visitations must 

 be received like those of the drouth and the tornado, as evils he-, 

 yond our power to prevent or remedy. A careful study of the 

 literature of the subject, several years' observation in the field, 

 and some experiment, have convinced me that this belief often 

 doubles, at least, the calamity of an outbreak, by discouraging at 

 the outset any except sporadic and individual measures of defense. 



This discouragement is of course not without its reasons. Com- 

 monest, I think, are the following: 



1. In this, as in many other cases of insect injury, the number 

 of unreasonable and even preposterous recommendations that have 

 been made have tended to discredit the whole subject of remedial 

 measures. 



2. Few are aware of the very considerable number of valuable 

 remedies which have been carefully tried, here and there, with 

 decisive or highly encouraging results. 



3. Failures of measures not intelligently or thorougly applied, 

 or applied under exceptional circumstances, have often led to the 

 conclusion that there was no value in them under any circum- 

 stances whatever. 



4. Partial or complete failure of the isolated efforts of individuals 

 has sometimes illegitimately discouraged combined action by the 

 farmers of a neighborhood. 



5. The use of proper measures in the beginning of an outbreak 

 has been prevented by a failure, elsewhere or previously, of the 

 same measures where the chinch bug had already overw^helmed the 

 country. The best of remedies will fail when the patient is al- 

 ready in the article of death. 



6. Failure to accomplish everyiJiing has sometimes caused 

 abandonment of measures w^hich nevertheless do accomplish much. 



7. Many reasonable and promising remedies l ack the e ndorse- 

 ment of accurate experiment, and so fail to command the confl- 

 dence of the practical farmer. 



8. The disposition to speculate on the weather is very common. 

 A hope that heavy rains may intervene to destroy the bugs often 

 prevents action which it is thought may be rendered unnecessary 

 by the turn of events. 



I think, however, that all thoughtful men must agree that in 

 the face of so great a danger as now threatens the agriculture of 



