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“The fact that last summer (1876), as well as this, when Diehl 
and Clawson were sown side by side, Clawson was comparatively 
free from insects, and, as stated by Mr. Rowe, did not break down 
in summer, seems to show that it is more exempt from attack. It 
would seem that the insects have a preference, but will accept plain 
fare rather than starve or fail to produce. It also seems clear that 
Clawson, Lancaster, and the red varieties will stand attacks with 
far less damage, owing to their vigor and greater tendency to 
sprout.” 
He then gives the following advice: 
“If wheat must be sown early, so long as the Hessian-fly remains 
a pest, by all means sow Fultz or other varieties of red wheat, or, 
better still, Clawson. But if we act more wisely still, and set the 
trap of an early-sown strip, let this be sown to Diehl, the better to 
attract the flies, and then, when we sow the balance of our field, 
two or three weeks later, sow Clawson or other rapid, vigorous 
growing varieties, which not only resists attacks better, but survive 
better when attacked. Lastly, if the early-sown area is harboring 
the pests, convert it into an insect cemetery, using the insects to 
fertilize a still further crop of Clawson.” 
Mr. W. L. Devereux, of Clyde, N. Y., gives us his experience 
with the fly and the best varieties to sow: 
“Now, concerning the fly: It is the least to be feared of all the 
injurious insects of the United States. I am situated in or just 
north of the starting of the Cecidomyia destructor in this last crusade 
on wheat, which is Seneca and Tompkins counties, New York, be¬ 
tween Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. This section is also where the 
Clawson wheat originated, and I hold that the Clawson has been 
the propagator of the fly in this last spread. Perhaps the Soules 
helped the spread prior to this. 
“To my knowledge, there isn’t a single instance of a field of Lan¬ 
caster being injured by the larvae of the fly. Indeed, I never could 
find a single larva or pupa in a field of Lancaster. It is the kind 
which farmers have sown almost entirely throughout this section 
this year. It does well, and, although a red wheat, it now commands 
as high if not higher price than Clawson. 
“I would particularly impress upon you the fact that we think the 
fly cannot be found on Lancaster wheat. It is a variety which is 
extremely tough and hardy, having that green color which farmers 
call “black,” while the Clawson and similar wheats have a 
green color which is very often yellow. The Lancaster—to strongly 
indicate its toughness—is said to grow readily under water or on a 
rock. I have no personal motives in writing thus of the Lancaster 
wheat; I only want to indicate that it is too tough fiber for the 
Hessian-fly to live on. It is nearly like or is the Blue-stem wheat. 
“Professor Cook ranks the Clawson as being less injured by the 
fly than the Lancaster, but I think the latter is absolutely free from 
the fly, while the Clawson is literally eaten up alive by the fly.” 
Mr. Devereaux afterwards wrote as follows, under date of October 
29, 1879: 
