Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-11-24

few small holes, to admit air, and TO
let the superiluous moisture pass off.
About the Goth OF July first observed
the flies to make their appearance in
the jar, perfectly formed, very active
ana restless little insects, being almost
constantly In motion. The eggs have
notyct Aug. 4th) all Matched, whence
l infer that the time of bursting forth
from their shells is from about the 25th
OF July to the 9th of August. The
appearance of my wheat stubblc iusti
hes the inference. At the same time
when first discovered the flies in the
jar, | examined the stubble, and found
some OF the flies had taken wing :;
while few yet remain at this period
Unmatched.
1t has been suggested by some wri-
tiers that the egg is deposited in the
grain, somewhat in the same manner
that the eggs of the pea bug are de-
posted in peas: by others, that they
adhere to the outside of the grain
Such are theoretical, but not expert
mental writer's. Assuming false prem
lses, they arrive at false conclusions ::
whence they advise to wash the seed
wheat in brine, and roll it in lime, to
destroy the eggs of the fly. Now it so
happened that my seed wheat was
prepared precisely in this way last fall j.,
Tut with very different objects. 1t was
washed in pickle to take out cheat,
and ether light seed ; and at the same
tune TO promote vegetation: but he
who shall expect by these means to
avoid the fly, will be wofully disap-
pointed.
The only advice that I can give
with any hope of advantage, is the
following =
LIST. Let the ground have strength,
and be well prepared.
ed. Sow late not much before the
first of November.
Sd. Inspect your wheat closely in
April, and if you find many eggs or
maggots of the fly, strew recently
Stacked lime over it, about bushel to
the acre. The dew and rain will car
ny the lime down upon the insect and
destroy it; besides, the lime will help
the growth of the wheat.
Lastly. 1t is believed that about
four quarts of flour of sulphur strewed
upon each acre of wheat very shortly
alter it comes up, Will be found an ei-
iectual preventive of the fly.
My reasoning on this last PROPOSE
ton is to the following effect. All
those insects which feed on plants, are
direc!edto them by the scent or odour
OF each particular plant: for instance,
the rose bug to the rose, the streaked
yellow bug to the cucumber and mel
on, the very small black bug or flea, to
the cabbage plant. In all these in
stances have preserved my plants by
strewing any thing on them which had
stronger scent or odour than the
plant; and for this purpose nothing is
cheaper, more eTectual and enduring
than sulphur. Surely those little in
sects, with microscopic eyes, whose
vision does probably not extend more
than very fe w inches, cannot discern
their favorite plants by sight. 1t must
be by some other sense, and that is
the sense of smelling, which they pos
sess to degree beyond any thing of
which man can have any idea. We
DO not see them taste and try, but by
the acute sense of smell they are di-
rected invariably to such plants as they
prefer.
With such an enemy as the Hessian
fly, all means are honorable and to
practice this rusc de guerre, although
little deceptious, is justiliable, on
the principle Of self defence.
On subject of so much Importance
to the community at large, it behooyes
every one 10 investigate, to scrutinize,
to ascertain, if possible, the nature of
the evil, and point out remedy.
Impressed with this duty, I have
made the foregoing observations, and
deem no other apology necessary for
subscribing my proper name.
w. l.. HORTON.
NooDLAwt', Aug. 6, 1886.
p. S. Since the above was written.
1t has occurred to my mind that If the
wheat stubble could be burned soon
alter harvest, great number of The
flies might thus be destroyed.