18 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[January, 
and relished by soldiers. Cheese, being a very con¬ 
centrated food, requires some bulky material, like 
corn-bread, for example, to be mixed with it in or¬ 
der to render it digestible ; it is then nearly or quite 
all assimilated, if properly made. On the other 
hand, cheese is an excellent addition and supple¬ 
ment to coarse and bulky food, making up its de¬ 
ficiencies in nutrition, and rendering it acceptable 
to the palate. The keeping quality is assured, as 
it is well known that cheese can be made that im¬ 
proves with age for & long time. 
This question of foods for the army is a legitimate 
one for the Department of Agriculture to concern 
itself with, as it not only might lead to valuable re¬ 
sults for the soldiers and the government, but also 
give people generally more knowledge on a class of 
most important subjects in regard to which a most 
lamentable ignorance now prevails,while at the same 
time helping agriculture by creating a demand for 
profitable products. Though the butter and cheese 
products of this country have increased about 
one-third during the past year, and the exportation 
in like ratio, the cheese product having been about 
350,000,000 pounds, yet there is room for much 
greater increase. Our resources in this line are al¬ 
most limitless, and we only need a demand to show 
our strength. The people of England and Scotland 
consume about 8 pounds of cheese per head annu¬ 
ally, and our people only about 4 pounds, making 
our home consumption about 200,000,000 pounds, 
and the export 150,000,000 pounds. American 
cheese is considered superior to the average Eng¬ 
lish cheese, by English people, though of course 
6 ome poor grades are sent over with the good, 
which meet with fully as strong condemnation as 
the better qualities get praise. It is for our dairy¬ 
men to make only such grades as will further t'he 
trade in foreigD markets. Now the introduction of 
cheese into the army would not of itself materially 
affect production, but the fact, and the recom¬ 
mendation by the government, would increase the 
use of this healthful and nutritious food by the 
people at large, and tend to introduce it into the 
great armies of Europe, thus largely enhancing the 
value and production of this product, which is 
very large, already exceeding in value the hay 
crop, and is but little less than the corn crop. 
The Hessian Fly. 
Inquiries come respecting one of the oldest of 
our insect pests, the Hessian Fly. Indeed, we may 
regard it as our “ Centennial Insect,” for its mis¬ 
chievous work was first noticed in 1776, and it is 
said, though the matter is controverted, to have 
been brought to this country in some straw by the 
Hessian troops. However this may be, the name 
Hessian is firmly attached to it. This insect was 
one of the causes of the general abandonment of 
the wheat crop in the older States, and now that 
wheat culture is being resumed in many localities 
where this grain has been but little grown for many 
years, there is a renewed interest in the enemies of 
the crop. By the aid of an engraving it will require 
but a brief description, to enable one to recognize 
the insect. Some speak of the Hessian Fly, or 
Midge, as if the two were names for the same 
thing. While they are closely related insects, the 
ravages of the midge are confined to the head of 
wheat, and the other always attack the stems. Our 
present purpose is with the Hessian Ely. This was 
first described by Say, 60 years ago, who called it 
Cecidomya destructor. The first or generic name is 
from the Greek words for excrescence and insect, as 
some of them produce small galls, or excrescences ; 
the specific name expresses its destructive charac¬ 
ter. The engraving shows the perfect insect, of the 
natural size, at i, its spread of wings being about \ 
inch ; at h is the same magnified six times. The head 
feelers and thorax, or upper half of the insect, are 
black, the hinder part of the body is tawny, the 
wings are blackish, or dusky, and the legs are pale 
red or brownish, with black feet. There are two 
broods of the insect each year ; the eggs are laid 
upon the leaves of the young wheat in autumn, 
usually in September. The insects soon hatch, 
make their way down between the sheath and the 
stalk, to a joint, where they remain, sucking away 
at the juices of the plant, while their bodies become 
imbedded in the soft and growing stem. As the 
stem of the wheat is very short at that time, the 
joints where the larva of the fly are at work are be¬ 
low the surface of the ground ; when several of the 
maggots feed at one joint, they deprive the stem of 
so much nutriment that it soon weakens and dies. 
After‘feeding for five or six weeks, heads down¬ 
wards, they are full grown, and appear as in j and 
Jc; they then pass into a dormant condition, and ap¬ 
pear as in l, which is four times the real size. In 
this condition the maggots, from their size and 
color, are said to be in the “ flax-seed state.” From 
this it passes into the state of a chrysalis, or pupa, 
and in April or early May the perfect insect comes 
forth, ready to provide for a new brood. This 
spring brood find the fall-sown, as well as the spring 
HESSIAN FLY. 
wheat well advanced, and they do not lay their eggs 
upon the lower-most leaves ; hence the maggots 
from these are found at the second and third joints. 
The maggots of this brood are in the flax-seed state 
about harvest time, and may be carried from place 
to place in the straw. This brood come out as per¬ 
fect insects in time to lay their eggs upon the fall- 
sown crop. This is a brief history of the career of 
this great enemy to the wheat-grower. One or two 
of the maggots at the joint of a stem do not kill, 
but ODly weaken it, but where there are several, the 
upper portion of the stem dies. When an insect of 
any kind becomes very abundant, its natural ene¬ 
mies, especially parasites, increase also, and these 
are of essential aid in checking the increase of the 
Hessian Fly. Among the remedies in reach of 
the farmer are, a rotation of crops, late sowing, the 
selection of varieties with a hard, stiff stalk, and 
especially those which tiller abundantly, so that the 
damage by the late brood may be speedily repaired. 
Inducements to Better Farming. 
-- 
Agricultural Society Premiums. A Change 
from the Routine Programme. 
In the December number of the American Agri¬ 
culturist mention was made of some special pre¬ 
miums offered by “A friend of Agriculture” 
for competition at the Orange County Fair. These 
premiums were so successful that the same gentle¬ 
man renews them, with several important additions, 
chief among which is that of $30 for “ the best 
managed farm.” A little study of the text of these 
offers, will show a material departure from the 
usual method. That the new departure is an im¬ 
portant and successful one, is indicated by the suc¬ 
cess of the first trial, though further experience is 
necessary to decide the merits of the plan for gen¬ 
eral adoption. These announcements are made 
now, in order that all may have a chance to begin 
working for them at once. The object of these 
premiums is not to make a fine show, but to im¬ 
prove the agriculture of the County, to the pecuni¬ 
ary benefit of every farmer who works for them. 
The care, and improved methods and means neces¬ 
sary to successful competition, are the same that 
lead to success and profit in the business itself. 
The money prizes to be won at the fair are small in 
comparison with the advantages to be gained by 
reason of the improved methods adopted in work¬ 
ing for them, and the consequent improvement in 
the future farm practice. The offers give special 
attention to those features of the agriculture of-the 
County that are, or might well be, most prominent, 
or are in greatest need of improvement, and are so 
worded as to induce the best methods in the par¬ 
ticular branches to which they refer. The pre¬ 
miums are to be awarded at the next Annual Fair, 
unless otherwise provided, and are open to compe¬ 
tition only by the farmers of Orange County. 
First, Second, and Third. —For the improvement 
of milch cows, that the “Orange County milk” 
product may be enhanced in value. For the best 
herd of five (5) or more cows of the Dutch or 
“Holstein’ ’ breed exhibited by the owner,$7.00. For 
the second best ditto, $3.00_For the best herd of 
five (5) or more cows of the Ayrshire breed ex¬ 
hibited by the owner, $7.00. For the second best 
ditto, $3.00_For the best herd of five (5) or more 
native or grade cows exhibited by the owner, $7.00. 
For the second best ditto, $3.00.—Records of the 
milk yields of each of these animals for one year, 
or commencing at the dropping of the last calf, 
must be posted on each pen. Affidavits to be fur¬ 
nished if desired. Pedigrees of the Dutch cows 
and of the Ayrshires should also be furnished. 
Fourth. —To aid in the improvement of the but¬ 
ter-dairy industry of the County. For the best 
herd of five (5) or more cows of any breed for the 
production of butter, $10.00.—The pedigrees of any 
pure blood animals are to accompany them; also the 
milk and butter record of each competing animal. 
Fifth. —For the promotion of an industry which 
should occupy more of the attention of Orange 
County farmers, and which would add largely to 
the productive resources of the County. For the 
best flock of ten or more ewe sheep, accompanied 
by one male, $i\00. For the second best ditto, 
$3.00.—Particular attention to be paid to mutton 
qualities as well as wool bearing. 
Sixth. —For the greatest profit realized on the 
production of pork, $5.00.—Each competitor for 
this premium shall exhibit two or more hogs of 
his stock, and shall present a sworn statement as to 
his methods of feeding and care, breed kept, and 
account of the cost of food and labor expended, 
and of the pork and pigs sold. 
Seventh. —To encourage better methods of culti¬ 
vation, and consequent larger yields of our leading 
bread grain. For the best acre of either spring or 
winter wheat harvested in 1879, $6.00. To the 
second best ditto, $3.00.—Competitors for this 
premium must exhibit one bushel of the average 
product of the field, and furnish a sworn statement 
of the yield, cost, and method of cultivation. 
Eighth. —To encourage youth in the pursuit of 
profit and happiness in farm life. For the best 
collection of farm products grown and exhibited by 
any person under 20 years of age, $8.00. For the 
second best ditto, $4.00. 
Ninth. —To stimulate the production and use of 
better varieties of fruits, and of garden and field 
products. For best collection of fruits, vegetables 
and grains, grown and exhibited by one man, $10.00. 
Tenth. —To create a spirit of friendly emulation, 
which shall result in better farm management. For 
the best managed farm in Orange County, $50.00.— 
Entries for this premium must be made on or be¬ 
fore the first of April, 1879, with the Secretary of 
the Orange County Agricultural Society. An Ex¬ 
amining Committee of seven members shall be ap¬ 
pointed by the Society, and consist of parties not 
entering for the premiums or residing in the same 
town where any of the competing farms are located. 
At least three of this committee shall visit each of 
the competing farms between the 15th of June and 
the 15th of July, and again in September. A writ¬ 
ten and sworn statement shall be furnished the 
Secretary of the Society on or before November 5th, 
1879, as to the number, kind, and breed of all ani¬ 
mals kept, of all implements, and manures and feed 
purchased, yield and cost of all farm products, and 
an account of all produce sold or on hand at the 
time of making the report. A report of the general 
plan of management and methods adopted is de- 
| sired. In awarding this premium, the committee 
