300 
ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW YORK 
will answer your questions as well as I can—-premising that I am 
not a close observer in such matters, but I have made a good 
many inquiries in this matter. The midge was seen here in 1854; 
a little in Monroe and Livingston counties; did no material dam¬ 
age; more seen in 1855 ; did no material damage in this county ; 
considerable in Monroe ; came from the east. In 1856, the midge 
took from one-half to two r thirds of the crops in this county on up¬ 
land, and nearly all on flats; at least 2000 acres on flats, which 
would have yielded thirty bushels per acre, not harvested. 
Worse in 1857, took over two-thirds of crops; 1858, very little 
white wheat to harvest; a few fields escaped; generally destroyed. 
Mediterranean wheat escaped generally (as it is supposed from 
being earlier); perhaps one-fifth Mediterranean destroyed; spring 
barley very much injured this year by midge. In some cases, one- 
half to two-thirds crops taken. Winter barley too early for midge. 
Very little white -wheat now sown in western New York. 
No evidence that the midge was seen here (Genesee valley) be¬ 
fore 1852, when it was perhaps seen in small numbers in some 
localities in Monroe county. The midge has reduced the value of 
all the wheat lands in western New York, at least forty per cent. 
Lands which sold here readily for $70 per acre, can now be bought 
for $40 per acre. 
No remedies tried. No parasite insect seen; very little Hessian 
fly of late years. The enclosed extract from the census returns 
of 1855 are supposed to be tolerably accurate; not too high ; it 
is not supposed that this county and Monroe, will have a supply 
of wheat this year. 
Mr. Coverdale, a respectable farmer in this county, lived in 1828, 
on the St. Lawrence, about forty miles above Quebec; saw midge 
there that year; had previously seen it in England. I do not 
think of anjr other information I can give you. I hope you will 
soon let us have what you have collected. Is this an English 
insect? What is done for it there ? What of the parasite? Has 
it left any region in which it was ever fairly established. 
Truly yours, JAMES S. WADSWORTH. 
August 30 th, 1858. 
JOSEPH WATSON— Clyde, Wayne Co. 
1. Midge appeared in 1850-51, from the east; growing wheat 
never entirely abandoned. 
2. The insect increased annually until 1858 ; then least destruc¬ 
tive ; in cold wet seasons which were late the most. 
