66 
Thomas, Cyrus.— Insects injuring Field Crops. (Farmers’ Review 
November 24, 1881, vol. 7, p. 322.) 
Corn sustained heavy damage by drouth, but chinch bugs have 
increased it. Twenty-five years' experience shows that in Illinois 
the chinch bug is the greatest insect foe of corn, injuring it more 
than all other species combined. It cannot be checked by appli¬ 
cations of any kind. This can only be done by radical changes 
in methods of cropping. In the middle and southern sections of 
the State the best plan is to plant less corn; and the next best 
thing is to utilize our meteorological records, ascertaining by this 
means, with reasonable certainty, the general character of the 
coming year. Refers to the verification of his prediction of a dry 
season in 1881 and the probable appearance of the chinch bug, as 
indicating the discovery of a meteorological law applicable at least 
to Illinois. Farmers will consequently need to crop against this 
insect only in such years as it is likely to appear. Predicts no 
great trouble on account of it in 1882 or for three or four years 
following. Quotes conclusions from Dr. Le Baron’s Second Report 
as Sthte Entomologist of Illinois, saying, however, that he thinks' 
Dr. Le Baron overestimates the damage done to wffieat by this 
pest, and that his conclusion that “the presence of chinch" bugs 
the preceding year will not prevent the raising of corn or any of 
the winter grains’ is not applicable to the more northern section 
of the State. 
Riley, C. A .— The Chinch Bug. (American Agriculturist, Novem-I 
ber and December, 1881, pp. 4/6, 515, figs. 1, 2, 3, and 1, % 
3, 4.) 
Aery seriously injurious in the grain-growing sections of the 
Mississippi Talley the past season. An indigenous American in¬ 
sect, thriving best in southerly latitudes and in a warm dry cli¬ 
mate. In estimating its injury it is difficult to eliminate that due 
to drouth alone, but careful computations show that the loss by: 
the chinch bug in Illinois and Missouri in 1874 amounted to 
about $50,000,000. Feeds exclusively on grasses and cereals, and 
by suction. Short description, with sketch of habits and natural 
history. Heavy rains, wet seasons, and warm, moist, or open 
winters very prejudicial to it. Natural enemies are few and afford 
but a slight check upon it. Ants (which destroy eggs) and some 
of its nearer relatives among the half-winged bugs are mentioned 
as. perhaps most efficient among insect enemies, and the quail is 
said to be prominent among the few birds that feed upon it when 
hard pushed for food. Figures of the insidious flower bug, the i 
many-banded robber, the false chinch bug, and the ash-gray leaf 
bug given, as they are often mistaken for the chinch bug—the j| 
latter also figured. Summary of direct remedies from 7th Missouri 
Report. The value and general practicability of irrigation as a 
destructive measure emphasized. Burning in winter quarters next 
in importance as a remedy. Sow spring wheat early and roll > 
ground. AY inter wheat may also be rolled, but early sowing of | 
this would increase liability to injury by Hessian fly. Sow thickly 
