34 
THE CHINCH BUG. 
Chinch-bug standpoint alone, to say nothing of its other advantages, 
the more diversified the system of crops the better chance there will be 
for preventing it. A farmer who plants only Winter Wheat, Corn, and 
small vegetable patches, as is the practice in so many parts of the West, 
will always be liable to lose a large share, if not all, of his expected re- 
muneration, from the attacks of this insect. “ Diversified farming, with 
wheat mainly left out,’ 7 is the editorial recommendation of the Prairie 
Farmer (September 17, 1887), and is certainly an exemplification of con- 
densed wisdom. The object of the omission of Wheat, particularly Winter 
Wheat, is, of course, to afford as little food as possible for the first genera- 
tion. Similarly the plan has been suggested of abstaining from Corn in 
wheat and other small-grain growing regions, with the purpose of afford- 
ing as little food as possible for the second brood. The result of this 
plan will be that after harvest the bugs will make their way to the wild 
grasses, will disperse more, and vastly fewer will successfully hibernate 
than if there were the usual superabundant supply of food for the sec- 
ond generation. 
Rotation of Crops . — From these same facts it also follows with self- 
evident clearness that crops attractive to these insects should not be 
sown year after year upon the same ground. This idea is so plain as to 
require no elaboration. Abstaining from the cultivation of grain upon 
which the insect feeds where, in spite of the efforts for protection else- 
where mentioned, the Chinch-bug damage is still great, will, of course, 
end the difficulty. Wheat, Barley, Bye, Hungarian Grass, and Millet 
are all important crops, but there are others such as Buckwheat, Clover, 
Flax, Hemp, all vegetables and fruits which could well be made to take 
their place for a year or two, or more, if it should become necessary. 
The one great result of the Chinch-bug convention held in Kansas in 
1881 was the adoption of a resolution to abstain from the cultivation 
of Wheat, the length of time not being mentioned. As we have pre- 
viously shown, large areas of Oats could be successfully grown, but in 
corn-growing regions most small grains must be left alone, and above 
all Winter-wheat and Barley. Even without concert of action among 
the farmers of a certain region, it will benefit the individual to abstain 
from Wheat and to grow Oats in preference in a year when bugs are 
expected, but concert of action is far preferable. 
Early Sowing and Manuring . — From the evident fact that a strong, 
healthy, well-grown plant will better resist the attacks of the insect the 
deduction follows that Winter Wheat sown early upon well- manured 
ground and given careful cultivation will be farther advanced in the 
spring and will suffer less from the attacks of the bug. Heavy manur- 
ing will also cause a denser growth, which experience shows to be 
prejudicial to the bugs. 
Rolling . — The female Chinch Bug in the spring seeks preferably fria- 
ble ground in which to lay her eggs; consequently rolling the laud in 
the fall after the crop of Winter Wheat is put in will render it less favor- 
