194 
Though the habits of the Hessian-fly are tolerably well known, 
much additional knowledge is desirable regarding its distribution, its 
breeding habits and parasites, while in order to properly apply the 
best preventive remedies, to stamp out the pest as it appears in new 
wheat sections, we need the results of a large number of experiments 
as to the effects of early and late snowing, what varieties of wheat 
to sow, and as to the value of manures and artificial fertilizers in 
promoting the rapid and healthy growth of the young wheat, by 
which it may outgrow the weakening effects of the worm and ripen 
its grain. 
The object of this Bulletin is not so rnpch to convey new informa¬ 
tion to wheat-growers as to briefly state what thus far is known as 
to the appearance, ravages, habits, and remedies against its attacks. 
By widely disseminating this knowledge, seeking fresh facts from 
practical farmers all over the country, who are hereby asked to send 
to the author all new facts and results of valuable experiments, it 
is hoped and believed that the Commission will be able in a future 
report, after another season’s work in the field, to throw further light 
on the subject. 
Although this pamphlet has been prepared by but one member of 
the Commission, the writer is indebted to Prof. C. Y. Riley, for 
drawings, specimens, and data; to Prof. Thomas, for facts and sug¬ 
gestions ; and would also acknowledge aid received from Prof. Prof. 
A. J. Cook, of the State Agricultural College, Lansing, Mich., whose 
address on the Hessianl-fly has been of much service, and liberally 
quoted in this bulletin; and also from the correspondents and agri¬ 
cultural papers mentioned here and there in the following pages. 
LOSSES OCCASIONED BY THE HESSIAN FLY. 
This fly first became a serious pest, in this country, in the year 
1779, although, as will be seen further on, in the section on the distri¬ 
bution of the insect, it probably began its work of destruction on 
Staten Island and Long Island, in 1776. According to Fitch, 17/9 
was probably the date when its ravages actually began. “The crops 
of wheat were severely injured or wholly destroyed by it, in King 
and Richmond counties, during several of the following years, and 
each succeeding generation regularly enlarged the sphere of its de¬ 
vastations, in every direction.” 
In 1781 the fly almost totally destroyed the wheat crop in Eastern 
Long Island, and in 1786 the crops were either totally or partially 
destroyed in New Jersey, in and about Prospect, an area situated 
forty miles southwest of Staten Island. In 1786 and 1787 the rav¬ 
ages of this pest attracted much attention in New York and Penn¬ 
sylvania; the wheat crop on Eastern Long Island having been “cut 
off almost universally.” About Trenton, N. J., in 1788, the wheat 
crop was in many cases a total failure. As wheat, in large quan¬ 
tities, was at this period exported to Great Britain, “accounts of 
the appalling havoc that this insect was making excited the atten¬ 
tion of the government there, and aroused their fears lest so dreadful a 
scourge should be introduced into that country by means of the 
American grain.” (Fitch.) As a result, the exportation of grain 
from America was prohibited, until the English government was 
