45 
Basons in alarming profusion, do as suddenly and often as unaccount- 
bly disappear. The common method by which the excessive in- 
rease of such creatures is kept in check, is by the appropriation te¬ 
ach of them of some parasitic insect, which multiplies co-extensively 
7 ith them, and by preying upon them restrains their increase within 
loderate limits. The migratory locust, for example, and the Hessian 
y, and most kinds of caterpillars, are known to be infested by para- 
itic insects. It is devoutly to be wished that nature may have pro- 
ided this, or some other remedy, against the indefinite extension of 
ae ravages of the present species, whose origin and progress seem to 
e so wholly removed from the reach of human control.” 
I find no record of their appearing in injurious numbers after this 
ntil in 1854. Dr. Asa Fitch, the able entomologist of New York, in 
is second report remarks that “The Chinch-bug has now multiplied 
nd extended itself over all parts of Illinois and the adjacent districts 
f Indiana and Wisconsin and has become a most formidable scourge, 
’he dry seasons which have recently occurred have increased it ex- 
essively. In passing over northern Illinois, in the autumn of 1854, 
found it in myriads. In the middle of extensive prairies, on part- 
the grass in search of insects, the ground in some places was 
>und covered and swarming with Chinch-bugs. The appearance re- 
linded me of that presented on parting the hair on a calf that had 
een poorly wintered, when the skin is found to be literally alive 
■ith vermin.” 
From this time forward until 1858 they were more or less numer¬ 
als and injurious in various sections of the State. In 1855 they were 
erv abundant and injurious in Mercer, DeKalb and some other coun- 
ies. According to Mr. Williams, of Geneva, Wisconsin, as quoted 
v Dr. Fitch, this insect made its appearance there in 1854, coming 
pparently from the south, doing considerable injury in 1855. 
A writer in the Valley Farmer for September, 1857, whose letter is 
ated Pleasant Vale, Ill., July 20, says : “These insects (Chinch-bugs) 
ave made their appearance the present season in this section of 
Duntry, and from present indications they are going to prove very 
estructive not only on wheat and oats, but to the great staple of our 
r estern country, Indian corn. I had a patch of ten or eleven acres of 
ill wheat, which is enclosed on three sides with corn. I cut the 
heat between the 13th and 18th of this month (July), and during 
be time of cutting I observed a few bugs running over the ground, 
ut did not suspect that there were or would be enough to do anv harm! 
>n the next morning after I had finished cutting I was passing along 
be edge of one piece of corn next to the stubble, and behold ! What 
sight there met my eyes! The corn was blackened with these pes- 
iferous insects from the ground to the height of two or three feet, not 
nly on one stalk but on every stalk in the hill. I did not count them 
ut I am well convinced that there are thousands on every stalk. 
* * * I have resorted to every source within my limits for some 
^formation with regard to destroying or checking the ravages of these 
asects and as yet have found nothing proposed except fire, which 
/ould undoubtedly be an infallible remedy, if we had some mode of 
pplving it.” 
