STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
511 
the Carolinas and Virginia for several years. In 1785 the fields 
in North Carolina were so overrun with them as to threaten a 
total destruction of the grain (Webster on Pestilence, vol. i, p. 
279). And at length the crops were so destroyed in some 
districts that they were obliged to wholly abandon the sowing of 
wheat. It was four or five years that they continued so numer¬ 
ous, at this time. 
The only particular account which was published, of the 
insect and its habits at this period, of which we have any 
knowledge, appeared in London, in Young’s Annals of Agricul¬ 
ture, vol. xi, p. 471. It is from this notice of it, Kirby and 
Spence state, that they derived the information given in then- 
introduction to Entomology (p. 127, American edition), which 
is as follows: “America suffers also in its wheat and maize from 
the attack of an insect, which, for what reason I know not, is 
called the chintz bug-fly. It appears to be apterous, and is said 
in scent and color to resemble the bed-bug. They travel in 
immense columns from field to field, like locusts, destroying 
everything as they proceed; but their injuries are confined to 
the states south of the 40th degree of north latitude. From this 
account the depredator here noticed should belong to the tribe 
of Geocorisce Latreille; but it seems very difficult to conceive 
how an insect that lives by suction, and has no mandibles, could 
destroy these plants so totally.” 
About the year 1809, we are informed by Mr. Jeffreys that 
the chinch bug again became so destructive in North Carolina, 
that in Orange county the farmers had to abandon the sowing of 
wheat for two years, and according to his statement the insects 
were subdued hereby. At various other times of which we 
have no record, it has undoubtedly been abundant in that and 
the adjacent states, that section of country appearing to be its 
head quarters. 
In 1839 we have accounts of its having again become exces¬ 
sively numerous and destructive in Virginia and the Carolinas. 
W. S. Gibbes, writing from Chester district, S. C., June 27th, 
says, “ Though we are not yet afflicted with the grain worm 
(wheat midge), nor much injured by the Hessian fly, a pest has 
appeared among us within the last two years, which from their 
