Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-08-02
AGRICULTURAL.
wHEAE.--IMPoRrANT DIscovEnY

WHEAT.--IMPORTAN DISCOVERY.
The New-Yor Farmer publishes n
letter from the Rev. Mr.. Colman, an
nouncing an important discovery for the
destruction Of the grain fy.-N. E. Far.
The grain fly or insect, which, for a
few years past, has been destructive 70
wbeal in many parts Of the country, has
this year extended its ravages, and excited,
wherever be made his appearance, very
serious alarm. An eminent farmer in
the State OF New-York, wrote to me
year since, that he must give up the cul-
tivation Of wheat, as his crops were so
much injured, that he hardly obtained a
return equal to the seed sown. knew
another instance in the same State, where,
though the straw was large, and the APP
pearance promising, yet from 13 bushels
sowu, not more than were obtained.
l have known other cases in which the
whole field hts been moved and sold for
little; and in a recent excursion up the
valley Of the Connecticut have heard
complaints every where, and hundreds OF
acres so destroyed, that the grain they
would yield would hardly pay for reap
ing. Besides this, the same insect has
destroyed many fields Of rye in the same
manner as the wheat, and has been found
this year in the oats the progress of the
insect has been about 40 miles a wear
and distinguished gentlemen in Yer
mont, practical and extensive farmer
remarked that he feared they would on
this account be obliged to relinquish the
cultivation of small grains.
The habits Of the insect have not We
been accurately observed. myself have
not yet seen the fly, but have seen the
worm in the kernel after the grain ha.
been destroyed She is represented as be
ing a small reddish fly, which is seer
towering over the wheat fields in immens,
numbers while inst in flower, and ha!
been observed to light upon the kerne
or bud, to ascend il, and then DESCENDING
10 the inner side, to deposite her egg be
tween the stalk and the kernel. / pur
posely avoid the use of scientific terms
wishing 10 be understood by common
farmers. From this egg the worm i
generated, which entirely consumes tn
grain while ia the milk, leaving nothin,
but the husk, in which ere found severa
yellow worms, about an eighth OF an incl
in length. As the work Of destruction i
now completed, any further observation
are Of no importance, unless we can som,
way reach 50 rs TO destroy the germ Of tn
insect. No preparation Of the seed O
ground has yet been found effectual L
this end.
The continuance Of the fly upon tn
giain Is thought not to exceed three o
four days, and they are seen in prea
numbers just at night. Some farmer
have found late sowing a partial security
a the season for the flies has passed ava,
before the wheat was in condition for thei
attack 81
6pping wheat sown as late as the ID
and 9Th Of June. has been untouched, the
in case Of such very late sowing, the al
mcr will BE- fortunate II. in attempting 3
escape the ay. be does not get nipt BY th
frost
have nov. however, the extraordinar
happiness Of announcing 10 the agricultu
raj public, what there is reason 10 believe
win prove IN cfectual, as i IS a reasona
BE and feasible preventive. Should
move encctna|. the remedy will be wort
millions and millions Of dollars to III
q jnnirv. : Il WINS communicated 10 me, o.
iaie tour ofaQricultural inquiry and %
ssrvation, by DE- EIiqnant Lyman. Q
Lancaster. New-Hampshire. an intelli
gent. enlightened. and practical farmer
whose crop Of wheat usually average