27 
ARTIFICIAL REMEDIES. 
Dr. Fitch makes no suggestion of either preventive or remedial 
measures against this insect, but Prof. Riley remarks: “Much can 
be done in an artificial way by cutting off and destroying all the 
infested stalks, which may readily be recognized by the signs already 
described; but even if this plan should faithfully be carried out, it 
is doubtful whether it would pay in a country where labor is so 
scarce and demands such high wages as in ours. We therefore 
have to fall back on the only practical means within our reach, 
viz: that of varying the culture by alternate courses, and this style 
af cultivation will have to be more generally adopted, should this 
pigmy foe sufficiently increase to greatly diminish the yield of the 
‘staff of life.’ ” 
Mr. Lintner’s views are less hopeful. In his article on this 
insect in his first report, he says ; “In the event of an increase of 
the wheat-stem maggot to a serious extent, we regret to have to 
state that, in all probability, very little can be done to control its 
ravages, and our main dependence will have to be on parasitic aid. 
Measures which can advantageously be employed in controlling 
ither of our wheat pests, as turning over the soil or burning the 
stubble, would be of no avail with this insect. Its pupation and 
transformation to the perfect stage take place, as previously related, 
vithin the plant, and it emerges before the grain is harvested. In 
some of the countries of Europe, where the ravages of the Oseinidae 
ire excessive, whenever they become extremely abundant, relief is 
ound in a resort to the culture of other crops for a few years.” 
The discovery of an autumnal brood puts us in a position to sug¬ 
gest more effective measures. For reasons detailed under the head 
if “life history,” it is very likely that delay in sowing until after 
he first frosts of autumn will wholly prevent injury by this insect; 
ind certainly the general substitution of spring for winter wheat, 
'or even a single season, would greatly diminish in number, or, 
perhaps, very nearly obliterate both this species and the Hessian 
ly. 
I have lately received from Mr. D. S. Harris information very 
lecidedly confirming the above view of the advantages of postponing 
ihe sowing of the wheat to a late date, as a safeguard against this 
nsect. As he lives in the neighborhood of its most destructive 
levelopment, I requested him to look over the fields of growing 
j ^keat to see what was the prospect of future injury in that 
|vicinity, and he says in his reply: “I spent considerable time 
luring October and November examining the wheat fields for this 
nsect, but did not succeed in finding a single larva, nor did I find 
tny indications of its presence that might not have been due to 
)ther causes. I spent several hours (about November 1) in Mr. 
Jlayberg’s field and those adjoining [these were those worst infested 
ast spring], but could find no evidence of the presence of this 
nsect. The wheat was thrifty and in good condition. Nor have I 
>een able to obtain any information from the farmers in this vicinity 
hat would lead me to believe that this insect is now present in 
estructive numbers in this county. As to the cause of its sudden * 
disappearance, I suggest the following: In this locality there was no 
