of milk in this city during December was 3h( 
cents per quart, and says that no farmer with¬ 
in fifty miles of thecity got less than four 
cents. Our market reporter says that 3j^ 
cents was the average price, made principally 
for New York|dairies, at the Harlem Railroad 
platform; that a place like Whippany, of 
small dairy production, might wtdl have a 
higher local price than that allowed here, 
where milk has been abundant during this 
open Winter. Our reporter’s statement is, 
we are assured, supported by several papers 
who employ special reporters on that matter. 
(I'nlomoloffical 
THE WHEAT ISOSOMA. 
A new Depredator Infesting Wheat 
Stalks. 
PROF. C. V. RILEY. 
be inquilinous in the swellings formed by the 
dipterous Octhiphila polystigma of Meigen. 
Kaltenbach, however, remarks that although 
he many times obtained the Isosoma from the 
wheat, he never suceeeded in raising the Oc- 
thipbila—a most suggestive fact. 
Prof. G. H. French has receutly (Prairie 
Farmer, Dec. 21, 1881.) described the work of 
what is apparently the same insect, and has 
published the species under the name of Iso¬ 
soma Allynii. Specimens which he has sent 
me as the types of his species, however, prove 
to belong to the genus Eupeltuus, and were 
probably parasitic upon the true Isosoma, 
which he seems not to have seen. No practica¬ 
ble remedy suggests itself other than the deep 
plowing under of the stubble, or the burning 
of straw and stubble from infested fields. 
Washington, D. C., January 38, 1883. 
IHimjan 1 , 
Cbenjib herjv. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
(Condensed for want Of space.). 
For nearly two years past I have been 
studying the habits of a new species of Isoso¬ 
ma which has been injuring wheat-stalks in 
Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri. The larvae 
were first received by me in June, 1880, from 
Mr. J. K. P. Wallace, of Andersonville, Tenn., 
who stated that nearly every stalk was af¬ 
fected and that, as a consequence the straw 
is inclined to fall before the wheat is fully 
ripe. I replied to bis letter asking in¬ 
formation, in the American Entomologist 
(III. p. 181), stating that it was a new wheat 
enemy, evidently ITymenopterous. Prof. 
Thomas had found the same worm that year 
in wheat in Illinois, and from having bred a 
two-winged fly (a species of Chlorops) from 
some collected stalks, wrongly attributed the 
parentage of the worm thereto. Prof. Pack¬ 
ard, (luring- u trip made to Virginia and other 
Southern sections that same year, found this 
new wheat enemy tolerably common. The 
insect passed the Winter either in the larva 
or in th« pupa, state, and the perfect fly is¬ 
sued in March and April, 1881. Specimens 
received the present year have issued in De¬ 
cember and January, induced doubtless by 
the loug-protracted warm weather, Al¬ 
though congeneric with the Joint Worm of 
Harris and Fitch, it differs widely from the 
latter in habits and appearance. The Joint 
Worm, it will be remembered, forms a gall- 
liko swelling at a joint near the base of the 
stalk. The species under consideration, how¬ 
ever, feeds on the interior of the stalk be¬ 
tween the joints high up, without causing a 
swelliug. It undergoes all of its transforma¬ 
tions within the stalk, its work causing a 
premature ripening and greatly reducing the 
yield, Mr. J. G. Barlow, of Cadet, Mo., says 
in one of his letters to me: More than two- 
thirds of the straws in the field had a larva or 
pupa in them, and the crop was sadly dimin¬ 
ished by them. One farmer had 15 bushels 
off nine acres; another sowed 15 bushels of 
wheat and harvested only 30 bushels. My 
nearest neighbor harvested six bushels from 
10 acres; he could not get a man to cut it for 
the crop. These are my nearest neighbors. 
Many did not get their seed back.” 
After a careful comparison with the known 
species of the genus made by one of my assist¬ 
ants, Mr. L. O. Howard, who gives especial 
attention to the insects of this family, I have 
little doubt that the species is new to science, 
and would characterize it as follows:— 
Isosoma Tritici. N. sp. Female — Length 
of body, 2.8 mm.; expanse of wings, 4mm.; 
greatest width of front wing, 0.7 mm.; an¬ 
tenna-, sub-ciavate, three-fourths die length of 
thorax; whole body (with the exception of 
metanotum, which is finely punctulate) highly 
polished and sparsely covered with long hairs 
toward end of abdomen; abdomen longer 
than the thorax, and stouter. Color, pitchy- 
black: scape of antenna*, occasionally a small 
patch on the cheek, mesoscutmu femoro-tibinl 
articulations, coxm above and tarsi (except 
last joint) tawny; pronotal spot large, oval 
and pale yellowish m color; wing veins dusky 
yellow and extending to beyond middle of 
wing; sub-marginal three times as long as 
marginal ; post marginal very slightly shorter 
than marginal, and stigmal also shorter than 
marginal. 
Described from 34 specimens. Of these 34 
specimens only one was fully winged; two 
were furnished with hind wings only, and the 
rest were wingless. Male unknown. 
Tritici differs principally from harder in its 
smaller size, more slender form,in the smooth¬ 
ness of the head and thorax, in being hairy, 
and in possessing the large pronotal spot. In 
this latter respect tritici proves a marked ex¬ 
ception to the rule laid down by Walker 
(Notes on Chalcididte, p. 7) that this spot, 
though present iu the European species, is ab¬ 
sent in all American and Australian members 
of the genus. 
It is worthy of remark that the species 
seems to be quite closely related to the Euro¬ 
pean I. linearis. This species was bred from 
wheat by Dr. Giraud, who considered it to 
PRUNING THE GRAPE-VINE. 
GEO. W. CAMPBELL. 
The objects in pruning the vine are mainly 
to keep it within reasonablespaee and control-; 
to induce a new growth of healthy and strong 
bearing wood; and to regulate the quantity 
and improve the quality of the fruit. The 
best time to do the principal pruning is in the 
Autumn, as soon as practicable after the fall¬ 
ing of the leaves, and when the energies of 
the vine are dormant. If the little Summer 
pruning and pinching that are necessary have 
been properly attended to, there will be only 
required in the Fall to cut out the old bearing 
wood of the current year and to shorten the 
new canes which have been grown for the next 
year’s bearing, in order to occupy their appoint¬ 
ed spaces upon the trellis, the wall,the stake or 
the arbor upon which they are to be trained. 
And for all partially tender varieties, and for 
all localities subject to excessive cold in Win¬ 
ter, it is better to lay down the canes upon 
the grouud after pruning. Where the ground 
is covered with snow during the severest 
weather, simply pegging or fastening the canes 
upon the surface of the grouud is all that is 
needed; but in other places a light covering of 
earth or of leaves is necessary in addition for 
perfect protection. It is the testimony of some 
old, practical viueyardists that vines so treated 
make a healthier and stronger growth and 
boar much finer and more abundant fruit. A 
very successful grape-grower in Southern 
Ohio recently declared that vines pruned early 
in Autumn and slightly protected during the 
succeeding Winter bore twenty-five per cent, 
more and better fruit thau vines that were 
left unpruued upon the trellis until Spring. 
All methods of pruuing the vine aro based 
upon the fact that the fruit buds for the next 
year’s bearing are formed upon the wood 
grown the present year; hence as much as 
practicable of the old and past-bearing wood 
should be taken out at the annual pruning. 
In my own practice, I prefer what is called 
the " annual renewal system,” which allows a 
young vine in its first fruiting to bear no 
more than it can bring to maturity, and at 
the same time grow one or more strong and 
healthy canes from as near the ground as prac¬ 
ticable for next year’s bearing. The bearing 
wood of the present year is cut away and the 
new wood takes its place. This practice, with 
slight modifications, is continued during the 
life of the vine, is readily understood and ap¬ 
plied, and a little observation and experience 
render it quite simple and easily performed. 
A cultivated vine is iu an artificial condition, 
and nil its energies are directed toward the 
production of the greatest quantity of fruit 
within its allotted space; and some vines re¬ 
spond so readily to this artificial treatment 
that they are disposed to overbear, and set 
more fruit than they can mature. Attempt¬ 
ing to grow too much fruit may so overtax 
the powers of the viue that it can neither ri¬ 
pen its grapes nor mature its wood perfectly 
for next year’s bearing. Vines so treated are 
unhealthy and short-lived. It is better, how¬ 
ever, to avoid the evil of overbearing by thin¬ 
ning out the fruit, especially all the small and 
imperfect bunches, than by too close pruning; 
for an abundance of healthy foliage is neces¬ 
sary for the ripening process. 
The Summer treatment consists in thinning 
out the fruit upon vines disposed to overbear; 
early pinching off the ends of fruit-bearing 
shoots two or three joints beyond the last clus 
ter, and then removing all superfluous shoots 
except what are started from below and are 
needed for uext year’s beariug. This, with 
an occasional pinching of the end of a too rain- 
paut shoot will be all that is required. And 
when one has learned so to gauge the capaci¬ 
ties of his vines as to bring each year his crop 
of fruit to perfect maturity and at the same 
time have a sufficiency of sound wood for the 
next year’s crop,he has learned all that is nec¬ 
essary for successful grape culture. 
Delaware, Delaware Co., Ohio. 
Dakota Territory. 
Berlin, Richland Co. Feb., 13. —People here 
are all engaged in raising wheat exclusively, 
growing only enough of coarse grams to sup¬ 
port their working stock. I think a change 
would be desirable. c. M. o, 
Kansas. 
Clay Center, Clay Co., Feb. 10—Weather 
warm and Spring-like; farmers plowing. Have 
had a dry open Winter. Wheat looks well; 
would be benefited by a good rain. A. E. S. 
nXfoliiKitn: 
Brooklyn, Jackson Co.,Feb. 14—Very nice 
Winter weather: no snow yet for sleighing. 
Wheat looks well; but dry, freezing nights, like 
those we are having, will soon spoil it. Wheat 
was short, averaging 10 bushels per aore; 
corn, 75 bushels; oats, 40; barley, 20; pota¬ 
toes, 00, Peaches none. Small fruits abun¬ 
dant. Orchard fruits nearly a failure. E. d.m. 
Ohio. 
Columbus, Franklin Co., Feb. 15.— We are 
having a verv warm , wet Winter. So far the 
streams have not been frozen to make ice to put 
up for Summer use. The Columbus folks are 
shipping ice from the Lakes. The crops here 
were very good, with the exception of potatoes, 
which were nearly a failure. Those now 
used at Columbus came from New York State. 
Apples also were a short crop. w. L. c. 
-*—*--♦- 
RURAL SPECIAL SEED REPORTS, 
Illinois. 
Padua, McLean Co.—The drought here 
greatly injured all the Rural seeds, as it did 
all other seeds. The W. Elephant produced 
nine “baby” Elephants, all larger than itself. 
The R. B. Sorghum grew only three feet. 
Oats headed and rusted. The asparagus did 
best of all: the flowers didn’t blossom until 
late. e. J. 
Town. 
Cottage, Hardin Co.—My 13-eyed White 
Elephant was planted in 13 places, 10 inches 
apart, and yielded 48 pounds of nice tubers— 
double the yield of any of my other varieties. 
The other seeds also did well, and altogether 
we think them worth more than the price of 
the paper. G. L. 
Wyoming, Jones Co.—Although part of 
the White Elephant was injured in transit. I 
wouldn’t take the price of the paper for the 
“seel” potatoes raised from it. The R. B. 
Sorghum grew astonishingly, and many heads 
ripened; so I shall have more seed thau I 
shall want. Flowers admired by all. Oats a 
failure—hens gathered them, “a subscriber ” 
Kansas. 
Washington, Washington Co.—The oats 
smutted too badly to deserve saving. Got 
only 13 small Elephants from one still smaller 
—hope for better luck next season. Aspara¬ 
gus good. J. G. B. 
Louisiana. 
Alexandria, Rapides Parish.—The R. B S. 
grew splendidly, attaining a hight of 13 feet. 
The birds, however, harvested most of the 
seed. The asparagus come up well; but I 
didu’t know how to manage it, never having 
raised any. The W. Elephant was planted 
too late to do well. J. w. P. 
Mlehtgan. 
Athens, Calhoun Co.—Planted 10 eyes of 
W. Elephaut separately on wheat stubble, 
about May 10, and, in spite of the bugs, dug 
33}-^ pounds of fair-sized tubers. Of the main 
crop, planted about the same time, a rod off, 
it took 100 hills to make a bushel, owing to 
drought aud insect pests. Asparagus good; 
other seeds not planted yet, J. mcl. 
Bailey, Muskegon Co.—The W. Elephant 
had 13 eyes, was cut into 13 pieces, planted in 
43 hills, and, without any manure, yielded 17 
pounds of good-sized tubers—far ahead d all 
my other kiuds. I have four poundsof W. Oats 
raised from my packet. Drought hurt the R. 
B. Sorghum. G. t. s. 
Coat’s Grove, Barry Co.—The W. Ele¬ 
phant, owing to drought and bad manage¬ 
ment, wps almost a failure. The W. Oats 
come up well, but smutted somewhat; think I 
shall like them. C. e, s. 
Olive Bridge, Ulster Co.—My small W. 
Elephant yielded 36 pounds of very handsome 
potatoes. In spite of the bugs and the drought, 
which plagued them sorely, I have five bar¬ 
rels of the Beauty of Hebron from the single 
little tuber which was sent me by the Rural 
last year. J. t. 
Woodland, Barry Co.—1 have 13 pounds of 
W. Elephant and two ripe heads of R. B. Sor¬ 
ghum which grew well. I think the Beauty 
of Hebron the best potato “out.” B. F. A. 
Missouri. 
Brunswick, Chariton Co.—R. B. Sorghum 
all came up and grew 10 to 13 feet high; have 
two quarts of ripe seed. W. Elephant good. 
Oats fair. Flowers much admired. B. T. 
Nebraska. 
Wilsonville, Furnas Co.—Owing to my 
absence from home, the bugs ate up the Ele¬ 
phants. From the W. Oats I harvested eight 
pounds. Chinch bugs destroyed a promising 
growth of R. B. Sorghum. Drought kept 
back the asparagus. The flowers gave us lots 
of blossoms. w. T. b. 
York. York Co.—My nine-eyed W. Eleph¬ 
ant was cut into nine pieces and planted in as 
many hills on June 8; on Aug. 25, I dug 25 
pounds. Though the W. Oats rusted and 
smutted badly, I saved a gallon of good seed 
with which to try again. My test of the R. 
B. Sorghum proved quite satisfactory. Not 
affected by drought, it grew till killed by 
frost. Some seeds ripened I believe. Aspar¬ 
agus splendid; flowers, beauties. Am well 
pleased with the Rural and its gifts, w. c. 
New Jersey. 
Deckertown, Sussex Co.—I had 74 W. El¬ 
ephants weighing 23 pounds; also four quarts 
of W. Oats. j. v. l. 
New York. 
Hankins, Sullivan Co.—I got 26 pounds of 
W. Elephants in spite of the bugs that greatly 
injured them. r, r. t. 
Thurman, Warren Co.—White Elephant 
Potato weighed three ounces, and was planted 
about the middle of May. I harvested about the 
middle of September 34 pounds of good-sized 
tubers. The asparagus grew finely, and pro¬ 
duced some good plants. Oats a failure. 
Drought dried up every thing. j. l. t. 
Ohio. 
Wooster, Wayne Co.—The W. Elephant 
on same soil and getting the same treatment 
as the Snowflake, didn’t yield half as much, t, 
Huntington, Lorain Co.—The R. B. Sor¬ 
ghum did well. Bugs and drought too much 
for the W. Elephant. Flowers bloomed nicely 
till frost. Oats smutted; but will try them 
again. ,T. L. n. 
Oregon. 
Toledo, Benton Co.—Elephant eyes 
planted on new land, second plowing, May 3; 
hoed same as other potatoes, no fertilizer. 
Sept. 13 dug 37J£ pounds of good,large tubers. 
Washington Oats not much good Flowers 
perfect beauties. L. r. b. 
Texas. 
Dayton, Liberty Co.—In this unusually 
mild Winter I find the R. B. Sorghum sprout¬ 
ing up from the stubble—I don’t suppose it 
will amount to much. The W. Oats, now 
about a foot high, look beautiful from this 
window. G. o. 
Washington Territory. 
Chehalis Station, Lewis Co.—I wouldn’t 
take the price of the Rural for the S4 young 
Elephants raised from the little one received 
almost too late for planting. The oats smutted 
badly, but I have enough seed to try again. 
Nights here too cold for Sorghum, a. b. d. 
1) t (Querist 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
(Every query must be accompanied by the name 
and address of the writer to Insure attention. 1 
treatment of a calving cow : rheumatism 
IN a COLT. 
S'. .4. R. Larvfitig, Mich., asks, 1 what kind 
of feed and care should a cow have in Winter 
just before calving; 3, when a cow after 
calving can’t get rid of the afterbirth 
how should she be treated ; 3, he has a 
three-year-old-colt that is stiff iu the hind 
legs. When backed out of the stall after a 
considerable effort, something seems to give 
wav and the animal moves off readily, and 
onr friend asks how to treat him. 
Ans. —Nothing but hay should be given 
after a cow goes dry, and until a week after 
calving. This will almost always avoid any 
danger of garget. After calving, begin to 
feed moderately at first until the oow comes 
fully up to her milk. 3, The placenta, or 
afterbirth, is attached to the uterus by several 
•adhering fibrous connections known as coty¬ 
ledons. It is very rare that these will not 
separate of themselves within on hour or two 
after the calf is born, if the cow is in good 
health aud is not disturbed by too much fus¬ 
sing and worrying. This has the effect of 
making the cow nervous and causing the 
mouth of tho uterus to close tightly and so 
hold the membranes fast. By well greasing 
the baud and arm and inserting- the hand, 
closed all but the first and second fingers, the 
mouth of the uterus may be worked open if it 
is closed, or if not, the adhering cotyledons 
may be carefully worked loose with the two 
fingers. The nails should be cut short. Or the 
cow may be given the following preparation 
viz :—Laur el berries, 4 oz ; aniseed, 2 oz ; bicar 
bonate of soda, 4 oz ; infused in four quarts 
of water and given in two doses eight hours 
apart. This is strongly recommended by 
some German surgeons, one of whom states 
