95 
On the other hand, flax, clover, buckwheat, and all plants in 
general which do not belong to the family of grasses, remain 
absolutely uninjured by it, even under the pressure of actual, 
starvation. 
PREVENTION AND REMEDY. 
There is a general, but mischievous impression among the far¬ 
mers of this State, especially to the southward,' that it is useless 
to contend against the chinch bug, and that its visitations must 
be received like those of the drouth and the tornado, as evils be¬ 
yond our power to prevent or remedy. A careful study of the 
literature of the subject, several years’ observation in the field, 
and some experiment, have convinced me that this belief often 
doubles, at least, the calamity of an outbreak, by discouraging at 
the outset any except sporadic and individual measures of defense. 
This discouragement is of course not without its reasons. Com¬ 
monest, I think, are the following: 
1. In this, as in many other cases of insect injury, the number 
of unreasonable and even preposterous recommendations that have 
been made have tended to discredit the whole subject of remedial 
measures. 
2. Few are aware of the very considerable number of valuable 
remedies which have been carefully tried, here and there, with 
decisive or highly encouraging results. 
3. Failures of measures not intelligently or thorougly applied, 
or applied under exceptional circumstances, have often led to the 
conclusion that there was no value in them under any circum¬ 
stances whatever. 
4. Partial or complete failure of the isolated efforts of individuals 
has sometimes illegitimately discouraged combined action by the 
farmers of a neighborhood. 
5. The use of proper measures in the beginning of an outbreak 
has been prevented by a failure, elsewhere or previously, of the 
same measures where the chinch bug had already overwhelmed the 
country. The best of remedies will fail when the patient is al¬ 
ready in the article of death. 
6. Failure to accomplish everything has sometimes caused 
abandonment of measures which nevertheless do accomplish much. 
7. Many reasonable and promising remedies lack the endorse¬ 
ment of accurate experiment, and so fail to command the confi¬ 
dence of the practical farmer. 
8. The disposition to speculate on the weather is very common. 
A hope that heavy rains may intervene to destroy the bugs often 
prevents action which it is thought may be rendered unnecessary 
by the turn of events. 
I think, however, that all thoughtful men must agree that in 
the face of so great a danger as now threatens the agriculture of 
