Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-10-03

I'm the progress of my observations. dis
covered that great uniformity in all instances.
was observable In the manner in which the
eggs were deposited; so much so, as to war
rant the belief, that it could not proceed
from chance, and at the same time knew II
was immaterial in what month the wheat
was sown. If there was a sufficient degree
or neat and moisture, the effect uniform
~ was the same, after the wheat had at
tanned the usual size. The idea then occur-
req tnatlt was possible that the eggs were
deposited IN the grain, previous to being sown.
as IN the instance of the weavil in our wheat.
o ascertain which fact, proceeded to make
the following experiments:
No. 1. August and September, 1908. I
planted quantity of wheat from one TO Sc
ven inches below the surface, in my garden.
ana on examination, after the wheat had ar
rived to proper age, / discovered each
sIaiK contained the usual quantity of fy-
nus experiment still encouraged the idea I
mad formed that the egg or animalcule existed
III the gram previous to being sowD.
Experiment No. 9. was to take two flow
erpots and I'LL them with virgin earth from the
woods, at the same time sowing them with a
small Quantity of wheat, setting them in the
oa'cony OF my house, Is feet from the earth :;
attending occasionally to supply each pot with
2 proper quantity of moisture, until the wheat
mad attained the usual size, to discover these
destructive insects. On examination found
number, which strengthened very much
the opinion ! had previously formed. Here
ended my experiments this year, as fancicd
the season too far advanced to allow of sufFi-
Gent time to make any further.
Experiment No. 8. In August and Sep-
TENDER, 1909, was again to fill the pots with
virgin earth, and SOW them with wheat :
which after being done, was to set them in n
closet ON the second floor of my house. which
was quite close, except n small portion Of air
being admitted by hosting the window. Tie
result OF this experiment satisfied me of the
fact, that the eggs were deposited in the
wheat previous to being sown, as found on
examination, when the wheat had attained
a proper size, each plant contained more or
less eggs or fiy.
The next important discovery to be made.
was to know how this egg or aninalculc was
to be destroyed. 1t was effected in the fol-
lowing way--I had long been in tic habit of
immersng our garden peas in boiling water,
TO promote their vegetation. which it has the
effect OF doing; making difference Of seve-
raj days. In this operation, had discover
ed that the boiling water had effectually des-
troyed the insect, which il is known the pea
contains
The most practicable and expeditions me-
thod Of preparing the grain for seeding, is, to
have large boiling pot, and when the wa
ter is boiling remove it from the fire till the
boiling heat is a hfe a6ated, when with a
large basket containing the grain, dip it in and
suffer it 60 remain till an equal degree of heat
communicated to all the grain; then empty
it oua i!7or; fill it again, and thus by repeat
ed applications make the same water answer
until it requires to be heated again, always
rolling it in plaster, il to be had, before it is
sown.