112 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
they in all probability, subsist on the matter destined to form the t 
g-rain.” Page 158, speaking of the same insect, “ the progeny be- ; 
ing hatched in the ear, feed on the grain. They are very small, 
from ten to fourteen being sometimes found in one gram, and are 1 
distinguished by being of a bright orange color. They do not ex- 
tend beyond the grain in which they are born, but several grains 
beincr thus consumed on one ear, the damage done is often consi¬ 
derable.”* I have examined a number of heads of wheat affected 
by this insect, some the lower part, some the middle, some the top, 
and some the whole of the head being killed ; but have in no in¬ 
stance discovered more than one larvae in a floret; the grain being 
in all cases perfectly sound and full w'here the insect was found, 
and where the grain had began to shrink the insect was not found, 
and the grain remained perfectly sound, there being no indications 
of its having been eaten or stung; the rachis exhibiting the same 
unaltered sound appearance. This examination was made with a 
microscope, and no causes were discernable that could lead to the 
destruction of the grain hut the sting in the glume where the egg 
was deposited. I have not before seen this insect in this place, and 
feel a considerable anxiety lest it should become a permanent evil; 
in which case it will become necessary to devise some plan for 
counteracting its ravages. Will you please to solicit information 
from your correspondents, where the wheat-fly has been of longer 
continuance, whether they increase their ravages or not, from year 
to year.f 
Another enemy we have in our wheat fields, is a worm whose 
greatest size, so far as I have observed, does not exceed one quarter 
of an inch in length, and about as large round as a common knit¬ 
ting needle. I have never seen any account given of this worm, by 
naturalists or agriculturists, or of the injury it does to the wheat 
crop. 1 will state to you the manner in which this worm conducts 
its operations, so far as they have come under my observation. 
Two or three weeks before the wheat is headed out, I have disco¬ 
vered just above the first lower joint, a worm about an eighth of an 
inch in length, and as large round as a cambric needle ; on exami¬ 
ning the straw I found that the worm had been hatched about half 
way between the two first joints of the stalk, immediately under 
the fine silky fining of the straw, and had worked its way under this 
fining down to the first joint, (the wad growing larger and larger,) 
and there burst from its covered way into the hollow of the straw. 
The worm here appears to deposit its eggs, from one to three, into 
the sap-circulating organs of the straw, and they are forced along 
above the second joint, about half way to the third, where a second 
generation of worms are hatched out, who work then- way as the 
first had done, under the silky fining down to the joint, and there 
deposite a new set of eggs, to be carried above the third joint, pro¬ 
ducing a third generation of worms; each generation rising one 
joint in the straw above the other, till they have reached and passed 
the last joint, (which supports the wheat head) and here they cut 
off the straw completely, leaving the leaf which surrounds it entire, 
which supports the stalk, and in consequence the head of wheat, 
and the straw above the last joint immediately die. This last and 
fatal operation to the wheat, is performed by the worm in from one 
to three weeks after the wheat is headed out. The worm then es¬ 
capes from the straw, between the leaf and the dead stalk, having 
first deposited from five to thirty eggs along on the inside of the 
straw, between the upper joint and the head. Here terminate my 
observations upon this worm, and I shall be thankful to you for far¬ 
ther information respecting it, if it is known to you, and the means 
of destroying it. I shall prosecute my examinations yet farther, 
and if possible, discover the perfect insect, if the worm is not it.J 
The next and last ravager is the Hessian fly, whose depredations 
however, are rather slight; but from the number of larvae that I 
have found in the wheat, I am led to believe that they will be much 
more numerous and destructive another season, unless some sea¬ 
sonable remedy shall be devised, and applied, to destroy the eggs 
that are to produce the next generation of flies. As there are so 
many conflicting opinions respecting this fly, and the want of a uni- 
fonn and correct knowledge respecting it, it is very desirable that 
* A true description.— Ccmd. 
t The wheat worm has increased its ravages, where it has appeared, for 
two or three years at least.— Cond . 
t If we know the character of this insect, it is also found in some of the 
grasses, as well as in grain, as the timothy, the poas, &c. Its presence s in¬ 
dicated by the head of 'he erain or grass prematurely turning brown. 1 he 
injury it does is comparatively trifling. 
the farmers should be made fully acquainted with all its operations, 
and the most approved method of ridding our land of its ravages. 
Will you confer upon the agricultural community the benefit of all 
the authentic information in your possession on the subject of 
this fly.* 
If it will not be taxing you too much at once, I wish to inquire of 
you whether there have been experiments tried that has settled the 
question of the origin of chess in wheat; it is a subject that has 
produced considerable speculation, without establishing any uniform 
and settled opinion respecting it. 
With feelings of sincere regard, yours, &c. 
EDWARD WILBUR. 
Pittsford, July 19th, 1836. 
ITALIAN SPRING WHEAT. 
J. Buel, Esq.—1 have the pleasure to inform you that the crop 
of Italian Spring Wheat through this and the adjoining towns, is 
remarkably fine, while our whiter wheat crop has, in most cases, 
failed—whole fields having been winter killed. The produce this 
season is rated from twenty-five to thirty-five bushels per acre, and 
of choice sample. 
This wheat deserves the attention of agriculturists in every 
section of the country, as it has not failed in any instance. 
Your obedient servant, 
J. HATHAWAY. 
Rome, August 15. 1836. 
BENEFIT OF PLASTER. 
Mr. Buel —I have long been prejudiced against plaster, but have 
recently been convinced of its utility on dry loam and sandy soils; 
the benefit on corn is great. Last season part of a field I planted the 
seed was rolled in plaster; the difference could be seen for half a 
mile, through the season. It was full one quarter larger than 
where no plaster was used. The present season I have made the 
same experiment, and thus for see the same results, except on 
damp or clay land. A few days since a neighbor of mine, who 
gave his name for your excellent paper, showed me the effect pro¬ 
duced on an old grass lay, a red rock, or slate soil; bringing in an 
abundance of both white and red clover, where there was none be¬ 
fore. The plaster was put on as late as May. The effect, I think, 
would have been greater had it been sown two or three months 
sooner. Yours, respectfully, 
JOHN S. LINSLEY. 
Northford, Conn. July 13, 1836. 
UTILITY OF SAVINGS BANKS IN THE COUNTRY. 
J. Buel, Esq.—I was much pleased to see in the last number of 
the Cultivator, an interesting article from your correspondent G. T. 
E. C. “ demonstrating the utility of Country Savings Banks,” for 
there is no demonstration equal to successful experiment. I was 
not aware that a trial of them had been made in the country, 
though long convinced in my own mind of their practicability as 
well as utility, and I am more and more impressed with the convic¬ 
tion of the great importance of such institutions to the community. 
I am no advocate for a miserly, penurious or niggardly disposition 
to hoard up wealth in any class—all should enjoy in a rational way 
what their income will allow. But I am in favor, Mr. Editor, of 
habits of economy and prudence in the expenditure of money, and 
of saving for future emergency, all beyond necessary wants, par¬ 
ticularly in those who are dependant on the labor of then- hands for 
the support of themselves and families. In this country, where la¬ 
borers are in great demand, and consequently wages high, a young 
man who commences fife with we’l formed habits of industry and 
economy, is sure, with the blessing of health, to build himself up, 
if not a fortune, at least a competency ; ana to all such the savings 
bank would come in aid, and would also induce hundreds and thou- 
1 sands of others to save what they otherwise would squander ; and 
I ----■- 
* The facts are well authenticated, that there are two generations of this in 
sect in a year, the eggs of the first being deposited the last of April or begin¬ 
ning of Way, and of the latter the last of August or beginning of September ; 
they are hatched in a few days, and the insect changes lo a chrysalis state in 
about four weeks after the eggs are deposited. To guard against the fly in the 
fall, do not sow until the period of laying their eggs is past, say the first of 
October. To guard against it in the spring, sow on dry and good soils, so as 
: to ensure a vigorous growth. It is affirmed by many, that the egg of the fly 
■ is deposited on the kernel of the seed, an Jsowi, with it, and that soaking in 
s pickle, and rolling in lime, will destroy the seed both of the hessian fiy and of 
smut See Memoirs of Board of Agriculture, vol. iii. p 326 to 333.— Ccmd. 
