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fence rows in the fall, and in the spring rake and burn clean all corn 
stalks, that it would at once abate, and finally eradicate them.” 
This brings our brief historical sketch of the species up to 1874, 
which is undoubtedly one of the most memorable in its history in 
the Northwest, and in reference to which I herewith present some 
original data not heretofore published. 
Immediately after entering upon the duties of my office as State 
Entomologist, in 1875, I sent to the various counties of the state the 
following circular in reference to the Chinch-bug : 
“Dear Sir —Please do me the favor to answer the following inqui¬ 
ries, as far as you can, in regard to your county : 
1st. Did the Chinch-bug do any damage to crops in your county 
last year ? 
2d. Has it appeared any previous season within ten years, and if 
so when ? 
3d. Did more than one brood appear last year ? If so give the 
dates at which each was seen ? 
4th. What remedies and what preventive measures, if any, have 
been used ; and what the result ? 
5th. Give an approximate estimate of the amount of damage done 
by them in your county in 1874.” 
6th. State what you can in regard to their migrations.” 
Quite a number of replies were received from those to whom these 
circulars were sent, from which Jmake the following quotations : 
Monticello, III., July 6, 1875. 
* * * The Chinch-bug did considerable damage to the small 
grain,—oats and wheat,—not so much to the corn, it having grown 
out of their way. It was quite abundant in 1872, 1873, and 1874, do¬ 
ing considerable damage in localities, especially to the oats and wheat. 
There were at least two broods last year, the latter in September, which 
appeared on the corn. They put in an appearance early in the season 
this 3 r ear, but the extreme wet weather has given them an effectual 
quietus.” * * * 
C. J. Pitkin, Supt. Schools , Piatt County. 
Edgewood, Ill., June 25, 1875. 
“Answer to 1st question, yes.’ To 2d question, ‘yes;’ more or less 
every year. * * * Two broods appeared last year, first May 12th, 
and the second about Aug. 16th. We can check the first brood by 
plowing a narrow strip around the field and keeping it well pulverized 
by harrowing and rolling, then plow one or two furrows in this dusty 
strip. Do this every day or two—they cannot travel through dust 
very well. But with the last brood can’t do anything, for the eggs are 
deposited everywhere.” 
Samuel Bartley, Effingham County. 
Macomb, Ill., June 9th, 1875. 
“Answer to question 1. The Chinch-bugs did a great deal of dam¬ 
age here in 1873-4. 
Question 3. There were at least three broods. 
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