62 
them abundant in spring where they were hid during the winter. 
Before the prairies were settled and cultivated, this insect may have 
existed here, but if it did its multiplication was prevented by the 
annual burnings of the prairie grass. > 
In order that this remedy may be effectual, it must be followed out 
thoroughly, and all the farmers in the infested district must act in 
concert, otherwise the labor of one will be rendered valueless by the 
neglect of another. But this need not be done annually, as our know¬ 
ledge of the habits of the insect is sufficient if properly used, to give 
us warning of the danger to be apprehended. I do not believe these 
insects ever appear in vast and destructive numbers without giving 
indications of their coming the previous season. _ This may be 
doubted by some, yet several years study of their habits has led me to 
this conclusion ; and the facts derived from numerous farmers, with 
whom I have conversed on the subject, point in the same direction. 
How often do we hear it said, when they are destructive : ‘‘ There 
were some last year, but not enough to do any great damage.” The 
warning was given but not heeded. > . 
If moisture has a tendency to destroy them it is evident that in the 
■winter following a rainy season they will be reduced to a minimum 
in respect to numbers, and although the following season may be 
favorable to their development (that is, dry,) they cannot increase to 
the same extent possible when two favorable seasons come in succes¬ 
sion. The second brood may excite some alarm, but it is apparent 
that four successive broods without any counteracting influences to: 
check them will produce more than two broods. We may, therefore, 
safely conclude that so far as the copious rains of the present season 
have extended, there need be no fears of the corn being attacked, and 
unless the fall is quite dry, there need be no serious apprehensions in 
regard to next season ; * and I do not think they will appear m very 
injurious number for at least two or three years to come. 
If the season has been dry and an examination (and farmers should 
be careful to make close and thorough examinations) in the fall shows 
them to be present in considerable numbers, although they may have 
done no material injury, nor even attracted attention, yet it may be 
set down as probable, in fact almost certain, that it the next is dry, 
unless killed by an unusual winter, they may be expected in destruc¬ 
tive numbers. ‘ It is true they sometimes appear in great numbers 
when no complaint has been made the previous season ; but if a care¬ 
ful examination had been made, the numbers hidden from the cursory 
glance would have excited surprise. This I know from personal ob¬ 
servations made during winters preceding their visitations. 
If an examination reveals their presence, the work of destructioc 
should commence. First, some other method of harvesting corn thar 
cutting it up should be adopted, at least it sdould not be allowec 
to stand in the field; the stalks and rubbish should be burned 
and every hiding place as far as possible should be subjectec 
to the fierv ordeal. Limited areas which cannot be reached by fire 
wffiere it can be done, should be thoroughly and repeatedly drenched 
In timbered sections it would be wise to fire the leaves of the sur 
rounding forests as soon as possible after they are sufficiently dry 
* Since this was written the result has verified the prediction. 
