24 
CORN. 
of this point a note is given in Dr. Packard’s paper, previously quoted, 
regarding attack to a field of young wheat. In the hollows on deep 
soil “the wheat was very large, and kept green and growing; while 
on the sharp points of knolls and hard clay ridges it was nearly gone. 
On a piece of new land near by, where never a kernel of grain was 
grown before, no fly or injury could be seen.” The first part of the 
above observation agrees very much with what I saw on the attacked 
land at Kevell’s Hall. One large field of about thirty acres at the top 
of the hill, and another adjoining, which were on dry shingly soil and 
greatly exposed, were much the worst attacked ; whilst another in the 
hollow, which was cooler and better land altogether, had not suffered 
nearly so much. Should we have the misfortune of this attack 
settling down amongst us it will be worth observation to find whether 
the fly comes worst to the crops sown alone or with clover or seeds. 
In the fields above mentioned the worst attacked were barley alone ; 
the least attacked had clover and seeds. 
Potation of crop, which excludes wheat, barley or rye on attacked 
land, is exceedingly important; the Hessian Fly only attacks some of 
the cereals, therefore all leguminous and root-crops are perfectly safe, 
and likewise, as they cannot be used as food, help greatly in lessening 
the prevalence of the pest. 
The choice of kinds of corn with hard stems, such as cannot be 
easily injured by the suction of the maggot, is also particularly dwelt 
on and kinds named, but as these differ from our English kinds it is 
unnecessary to give the list. A summary of the above might be 
shortly stated thus, beginning at harvest-time* :— 
If possible reap so as to leave the “ flax-seeds ” in the stubble, and 
destroy this infested stubble; otherwise treat the harvested straw so 
as to destroy them. 
If flies are likely to be about let the self-sown corn on fields that 
were infested sprout, and presently turn sheep on to feed off the 
infested plants, and then plough the remains in. Ploughing in 
infested stubble is also useful. “ Bait ” may also be had recourse to 
by sowing strips or patches of corn to attract the fly, and treating 
them as above. 
Late sowing, so that the young wheat will not be up until the 
* In American treatment the great importance of preserving the insect parasites, 
which feed on the Hessian Fly in its early stages, is most urgently insisted on, as 
in that country they are as much looked to for keeping down the attack as Lady¬ 
birds are in our own as a check on Hop Aphis. Consequently burning stubbles, 
or burying them deeply, or other treatment which would kill parasites as well as 
pests, is thought doubtfully of. In the foregoing notes I have not entered on this 
consideration, because as yet we do not know that the parasite insects have followed 
in the train of the fly. 
