ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW YORK 
32 
also those which abound in carbonaceous material, and will insure a perfect 
rel ation of the soil, and prevent its subsidence to its original compact and 
impermeable condition. 
Care, however, should be taken that none of these several materials 
should be supplied in excess; and economy requires that neither should be 
added to soils enjoying it naturally in sufficient amount and in a soluble form. 
10. The draining should only be undertaken after a careful survey by a 
competent person; the drains should be accurately delineated upon a map 
for future reference; the tiles should be laid on an uniform grade, so as to 
avoid sags in which silt might accumulate; the outlets should be as few 
as possible and carefully guarded, and, in some cases, with traps, to pre¬ 
vent their stoppage on the entrance of vermin. 
11. As illustrative of the vast importance of this subject to the farming 
interests of the State of New York, it is believed that but a comparatively 
small portion of its arable land possesses a good natural drainage; a large 
proportion has this, but in an imperfect degree; and probably-* per cent. 
lias none at all, but demands a thorough application of the methods of the 
secondary system of drainage. 
Insects—The Grain Aphis, Wheat Midge, &c. 
Dr. Asa Fitch, Entomologist to the State Agricultural Society, opened 
the discussion by reading the following Essay on the grain aphis : 
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen :—I am requested to preface the discussion 
this evening by presenting to the audience some account of the grain aphis, 
an insect new to us in America, and which, during the past and the present 
year has been more prominent in the public regard than any other insect. 
In the grain fields of Europe this grain aphis has existed from time 
immemorial. It was scientifically named and described eighty-one years 
ago, by the distinguished German entomologist, Fabricius, who met with 
it in fields of oats, and therefore named it the aphis avence, or the oat aphis, 
he being unaware that it occurred equally common upon other kinds of 
grain also. 
But our European accounts of it are quite meager and imperfect. About 
all that we gather from them is, that it is an insect which shows itself 
upon the grain about the time of harvest, and that in some instances it has 
been known to be so multiplied, in particular places, as to literally swarm 
upon and cover the heads of the grain in many of the fields. 
These few general facts, is all the information which the world has 
hitherto had of this insect. What becomes of it during the remainder of 
the year, where, and in what condition it lurks after harvest time, and 
until harvest time again approaches, had never been investigated. It was 
remaining for us in this country to trace out its abiding place and its 
habits during the autumn, winter and spring, and thus complete its history 
the year round, as we have been able to do within the past eighteen months, 
under the instructions of this Society, and under the auspices of the State 
of New York. 
• This per oentage was to have been supplied by Hon. T. C. Peters, of Genesee, from notos 
taken by him while engaged in the work of equalizing the assessments of landed property in the 
State, and will doubtless be furnished to the Society at an early day. 
