Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-08-11
From the Ballimore American

papers, stdtcu my views on the destruc.
ton Of wheat by the Hessian Nv, and Of
Tered remedy against its ravages. A.
this season will be remarkable for the de.
vastation committed by this insect, and as
the time is approaching for seeding for the
next crop, request small space in your
columns 10 bring before our farmers again
the remedy then proposed. fully believing
that II followed much good will result FROM
it.
On observation it has been found that
the insect producing the fly progresses
with the growth OF the wheat, and if the
wheat Is early sown, and the season is IA.
Vorable to a luxurIant vegetation, the fix
VIII he very perceptible in the autumn
The progress of ais insect, as is observed
In former communication, 10 from the
seed upwards, and as many as six or ten
nave been observable on one stem between
the root and the surface of the earth. The
question then arises, how is this insect
generated, and what means should be u
sed TO destroy it 1t is either generated
IN the grain of wheat similar to the bug
which iniests the pea or, the insect when
II is winged deposltes an egg on the sur
lace OF the grain when in the ear and thus
when the wheat is sown and begins TO We
getate, the egg WHITES and the destruc.
tive worm is formed.
For The following reasons | am strong.
~ inclined TO the latter opinion. II is
known that this insect releases itself by
bursting the blade that covers il. when
the head is forming, and assume. its wing
ed state, and there is to my mind no doubt
That this fly deposites its eggs on the
wheat when filling and coming to perfec
lion. IL bad any doubts on this subject
they would be removed by the fact That
with the aid OF microscope the egg dis.
cernable IN the form Of glutlnous matter
II tins opinion be correct, the remedy is
simple, and worthy at least Of a fair trial.
Providence inficts no evil upon mankind
without also providing some remedy, and
unless this IS Intended as special curse
upon the hnsbandman, there is and must
De remedy which we must find out by
actual experiment.
10 the course OF twenty years experience
IN this matter, have known but one ex.
pertinent made TO destroy the fly that pro
we'd successful An intelligent farmer in
Loudoun County, Va. having understood
that some Of bis neighbors with the aid of
microscope, had discovered a glutinous
matter on the surface of the wheat which
thay believed 10 be the egg of the fly. de.
'efmined TO try an experiment for its de
struciIon, and succeeded 10 that crop: but
unfortunately IL was not followed IN. and
whether 1t will be an efiectual remedy IN
all seasons, remains yet to be tested
The plan which be followed, and which
II is the object of this communication lo
recommend to the notice Of the farmer is
SIMPLY, TO pass the seed wheat through
strong BRINE or pickle, washing it well, g.
then rolling 1t IN Stacked lime, (similsr TO
rolling 1t 10 plaster of Paris,) not prepa-
ring al one time more than days sowing.
Washing the wheat ia brine, and rolling
II 10 the lime are done primarily for The
purpose OF destroying the egg, but il ans
wefs another good purpose-that of pre-.
venting The growth Of smut. The lime
VIII also be found to act as powerful SIT
muIant to the growth of the wheat, and
superior to that Of plaster.
This remedy being so simple, and as |
hrmiy believe so etiicacious, | hope there
VIII be many farmers disposed 10 make
trial of It and thereby fully test its correct
ness. II should be Instrumental in ar
resting the progress of this direfuI enemy
oil the farmer shall be amply compen.
stated in the reflection that i have dis.
charged my duty TO the communty.
n,
MASsAcpr Eorrasno,I,.,. r &.