ports successful cultivation, in beef broth, of bacterium parasite of 
the chinch bug, lately described by Burrill as Micrococcus insec¬ 
tor um; but opportunity failing for experiments upon insects 
with artificial cultures, conclusive proof is wanting that this Mi¬ 
crococcus is destructive to chinch bugs. Writer believes from 
personal observations and evidence of correspondents that first 
brood of chinch bugs was either destroyed by rains and cold, or 
so hindered in deposition of its eggs that only one brood was gen¬ 
erally developed in Central and Northern Illinois. Considers it 
unlikely that chinch bugs will appear in destructive numbers in 
this State next year. Can find but small number hibernating. 
Boardman, E. B.—Economic Entomology. The Chinch Bug. 
(Stark County [Ill.] News, Dec. 14, 1882.) 
General article discussing history, life history, name, remedies, 
etc. 
Parker, Charles.— How to beat the Chinch Bugs. (Farmers’ 
Beview, Dec. 28, 1882.) 
Claims that soaking spring seed wheat in brine for two weeks— 
drying off before sowing—will render the grain so much earlier 
and more* vigorous that chinch bugs will not injure it. 
Illinois Crops for 1882. Circular No. 94 [of the Department of 
Agriculture], p. 84. 
The drouth and chinch bugs reduced the yield of corn in some 
localities in Madison county. 
Howard, L. O.—White Blast. (Beportofthe Entomologist of the 
[U. S.] Department of Agriculture, 1882, p. 137.) 
“The common chinch bug (Blissus leucopterus ) was also found 
upon the blasted heads [of rice] in several cases” [in Georgia]. 
Biley, C. Y.—Chinch-Bug Notes. Predictions in Delation to In¬ 
jury. (Beport of the Entomologist of the [ U. S. ] Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture, 1882, pp. 86, 89.) 
Mention of Thomas’s studies and predictions and the injuries of 
1881; of appearance of the pest in 1882, and probable checking 
by rains; and of remedies and preventive measures,—irrigation, 
burning of the hibernating bugs, early sowing of spring wheat, 
and clean culture being especially emphasized, and the use of the 
kerosene emulsion advocated. 
Thomas, Cyrus. —Best Means of counteracting Insect Foes. 
(Trans. Ill. State Hort. Soc., 1881, v. 15, n. s., pp. 39-46.) 
Becalls previous predictions, based on rainfall record, that chinch 
bug should be expected in 1880 and 188] if those years be dry, 
and advice to farmers to rely on oats rather than corn for the 
latter year. Bemarks on fulfillment of prediction and loss of 
farmers because of failure to follow recommendation. Considers 
it sheer folly to talk of protecting crops by topical applications. 
