STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
289 
tirely disappeared. Mr. Watson further says, that in Schoharie 
county, in 1835 and 1836, an injury by a worm, in the heads of 
wheat, similar to the larva of the wheat midge, appeared in the 
wheat. Dry uplands are very perceptibly less affected than low 
lands. Since 1852, the wheat crop is one-quarter short of a full 
crop; that is, less than one-quarter as much wheat has been pro¬ 
duced, caused indirectly by the appearance of the midge. Early 
sowing on dry lands, and early varieties most successful, but no 
effectual remedy. 
Hon. G. Denniston , Steuben county, writes that about 1854, 
some indications of the presence of the midge were discovered. 
The crop of 1858 was mostly destroyed. Estimates the damages 
by the wheat midge, at seventy-five per cent of the whole crop. 
No remedy has been found against its ravages. No satisfactory 
answer is given as to where the insect came from; but the fact 
stated by Mr. Coverdale, of the insects being seen near Quebec, 
would render it probable that in that section of the country, it 
may have been introduced from England. Mr. Haight states 
that about 1828, the same year mentioned by Mr. Coverdale, the 
insect made its appearance in Dutchess county. In England, the 
midge prevails to some extent. A parasite insect is known there, 
that mitigates its ravages. No evidence has been procured here 
that any parasite has been seen in this State. In England, it is 
believed that the thorough culture and preparation of their lands, 
and the use of good seed, have tended, as yet, to prevent the rav¬ 
ages of the wheat midge to any very considerable extent. 
The insect has not left any section of which we have an account 
in these answers, since its first appearance, except as stated by Mr. 
Haight, in Dutchess. The entire abandonment, however, of the 
crops there, may have been the reason ; and if the raising of wheat 
which has been lately commenced there, should progress, we may 
find that the enemy is still in that region, ready for its destruc- 
structive work. 
We think that there is sufficient evidence, given to show that 
good farming, thorough drainage when needed, will at least very 
materially mitigate the ravages of insects. The experience of Mr. 
Barstow, and Mr. John Johnston, show that this has been the 
case in their experience, and it certainly will prove advantageous to 
our farmers, to make their efforts in this direction, if they intend 
to continue the wheat culture. Good farming will probably ena¬ 
ble them to raise at least moderate crops, and without this, it is 
[Ag. Trans.] 10 
