Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-20
:. From the american Farmer.
ON THE Hi SSiAN FLY.
CAMBRIDGE, E. ). M,RYLAND, I
Nac 10 1891
Dec. l8, 1881.

Mr.. SDptth:-l cannot wltnnoIu my sur 'ee "
regret at the apathy Of the Agricultural commu'
nifty, on that interesting branch OF entomology
which comprises the history, character and hani-
tudes of such insects, as are peculiar to the sta
pie crops of our country; among which stands
conspicuous, the ssHessian fly" known only as
deadly foe to the energies OF man; annually
multiplying upon US, and despoiling US OF the
fruits of our labOrs.
Having before, had the indulgence Of a column
of your useful paper, to implOre the cooperation
of fellow Iaborers, and fellow sufferers. in the
investigation of this subject, take the liberty, to
offer few more remarks, in the hope, that yet
may not be disappointed in my purpose.
had long been anxious to see this implacable
enemy, the "Hessian fly," in its state of mau
rity; and in all my frequent attempts 10 CRAFTY
my curiosity, heretofore frustrated, until recent
ly, / obtained plentiful supply.
The loose scattered wheat of my stack yard
had vegetated earl in tie season, perhaps IN Ju-
ly and grew luxuriantly; on the 1st Of September,
my attention was attracted by its rapid decline;
on examination, discovered that almost every
stalk was loaded with the chrysaiids of this fly:
dug up small sod without any regard to seiec-
ton, and planted it in flower pot, under large
glass Jar and placed it on my mantle piece, where
it might have uniform and warm temperature,
to assist in their deyelopement:i na week or two.
they appeared in their parental robes. crowding
upon the few spires, which, had survived their
ravages; here have commanded full view OF
them, and their progressive operations, and will
give you the result
They belong to the order Hemitera, genus
Aphis; they are but little larger than flea, and
of much the same color and appearance. except
that the abdomen is more obtuse and fiat, aud ends
in two horns; the thorax is short, and the head in
addition to two long an;enue armed with small.
very sharp, infected rostrum; they are obvious
iy not constructed for long flight
Shortly after their appearance they commenc-
ed to deposit on the blades and stalks of wheat
their young progeny. mere speck, and with an
excellent microscope, | confess | have not been
able to satisfy myself, whether they are parous;
and It is very immaerial to any useful purpose.
for they were elected. if not in an egg, incIosed
in thin membrane, which under the influence
of the room developed the living animal in few
hours; this first deposit adhered closely to the
blade or stalk, as if glued to the point on which
it was made, and does not roll down as has been
stated, but shortly casting off its almost invisible
easement, the larvae crawled down to the nearest
Joints of the plant, where the rostea are inserted
and their nourishmen obtained; they pass lhr ougb
three metamorphoses in rapid progression, under
suitable temperature; would suppose from the
swarms produced, from SO small sod of wheat.
there must have been several generations within
the short term have named
The propagation of every variety of this fami
ly, the "aphides." is intellectually immense and
indeed mysterious; it was first believe. asserted
by Bonnet, and since confirmed BY I'rembey.
and others, beyond doubt, that the impregnation
Of one set Of females of this family serves for ten
succeeding generations there being no males but
once in that term.
From the foregoing statement of facts, IT may
be nationally inferred-lst, That this insect, the
's Hessian Hy." largely sustains itself. through
the slovenIy and reprehensible practice of leaving
the loose scattered wheat of the stack yard to We
getate, and serve the for notification, by which
myriads of legions may be raised from few per-
ches Of ground; End That this medium of sus-
tentatiOn is the great secret, by which this mys-
FERROUS and calamitous insect has been much null
tiplied throughout our wheat country.
5dIy. That the practice of following on wheat
stubbIe, by which much scattered wheat will We
getate in favorable seasons. and serve the purpo.
ses Of the .'Ay," before it is poughed down again,
for the new crop is another prolific source of this
evil
4thly. And consequently, that to clean the
slack yaru, anu Otner paCes, where loose wneat
may have been scattered and vegetated, and to
refrain from the cupidity, also otherwise cuI pable,
of following upon wheat stubble, for crop Of
wheat. is the absolutely moral duty Of every agr-
culturist. who is capable Of CONSCIOUSNESS Of du-
ty at all. to himself, or his neighbor.
In former paper have noticed and contro-
verified the confident, IandabIe, but falacious re-
commentator Of your Canada correspondent, ito
soak seed wheat in brine for the destruction of
the egg of this fly witch he enormously suppos.
ed to De on the grain: | must now take the Iiber-
ty to remark, ofa communication on the subject
of the .sHessian fly" in the {" Hagerstown Free
Press" from Mr.. Mckee, that Mr.. Mckee is
entitled to the thanks of the community for his
contribution to thisinteresting question; bat can
assn re him he has been much deceived in his OBJ
servatons.
He is correct when he affirms that the eggs of
this fly ars deposited on the plant, and not on the
grain ;but he is deceived in his observations when
he saws he " selected a few stalks of wheat in
March. on which there were a number of eggs of
this fly, that had been deposited the fall previous,