61 
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t matter of doubt. So well known has this fact become that farmers 
hroughout the State no longer have any fear of the Chinch-bugs in 
lamp and rainy, seasons. It is now well established, also, that dry 
veather is essential to their development in injurious numbers : and 
ifter studying their habits and history for nearly twenty years I am 
atished that for their development in excessive numbers two succes- 
ive dry years are necessary. 
Remedies. 
The following, from .an article I prepared for the Prairie Farmer 
ome two years ago, so clearly expresses my opinion on this point and 
,n the subject of the preceding paragraph that I repeat it here with¬ 
out change: 
As the bugs from which the future generations are to be developed 
libernate in the peifect state, it is evident if these can be destroved 
heir development will be prevented. It should also be remembered 
hat at this, time their number is reduced to the minimum and that 
hey are quiescent. I therefore, at the time I discovered their mode 
f . wintering,, suggested burning as a remedy, and am still of the 
pinion that, if properly carried out, it is the most effectual one that 
an be adopted. I am aware that Dr. Le Baron (whose opinion as an 
ntomologist is always entitled to the highest consideration) appears 
o have, some doubts in regard to the value of this remedy • also, that 
ffof. Riley (whose opinion is equally valuable), although recommend- 
ng it, appeals to place it second in his list of means of counteracting 
hem. Yet a careful examination of the evidence they present, when 
ompared with my. own observations and other testimony, has failed 
i change my opinion. Irrigation, if it could be thorougly carried 
ut, would be the most effectual; but this cannot be done in Illinois: 
nd although theoretically the most complete remedy, is practically 
f but very little value. 
As is well known, they hide during winter in cornstalks, straw, 
ubbish, under the bark of stumps and logs, etc. When abundant in 
imbered sections., many winter in the bark of trees, under the leaves 
nd other places in the forest, but so far as I can learn, no one in this 
ortion of the State has ever noticed a general exodus from the fields 
) the forest in the fall; but, on the contrary, those who have noticed 
aem most carefully, bear testimony to their aversion to flying, 
v rule the cases given by Dr. LeBaron, Dr. Shimer and Prof. Riley 
ndicate that cold may kill them, on the other hand Prof. Ross men- 
ons a case in which some were thawed from ice in which they had 
een frozen, and moved about as in spring, and I have found "them 
i the coldest weather of winter semi-torpid but easily revived. We 
lust.therefore consider these cases as presenting opposite extremes. 
It is quite probable that the method of harvesting corn by cutting 
re stalks and standing them in shocks or ricks is one means of pre & - 
nving them. . Leaving piles of straw and other rubbish in the fields 
uords them winter quarters from which to issue the following spring 
) trouble.the farmer. And if we add to these, grassy fence corners 
nd spots in and around the fields, we need not wonder when we see 
