The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-04-30

earth where mad newly reaped, found number
Of them in the earth but not so numerous might
be supposed from the vast numbers there were in
the wheat, which account for, from the fact, that
they very minute and their penetrating to diff
ferent depths in the earth. had piece of wheat
on low ground the same year which nearly de-
stroyed by the wheat fly, and which had seed
ed with grass. have ascertained that the
worms as soon they leave the wheat go into
the earth (l now call il worm because before it
leaves the wheat it throws off its husk an outer skin
and can crawl about like other worms, which be.
fore it cannot do.) l will here correct n mistake
which some to have fallen into which is that the
maggot eats or sucks the substance from the kernel
which is not so in fact, for the maggot being in
closed in skin or husk has means of getting at
I the kernel with its mouth besides he lies in a
dormant state upon the kernel; and whenswe exam
inc shall find that the kernel is not perforated
in particular parts but so far it comes in
contact with the maggot it shrinis an perishes =
this will further appear be the fact, if eonsid
| er that ali those nits which insects deposte on
vege tables derive their susenance from the vegea-
bic on which they are deposited without any effort
of their own. 1 resolved to endeavor to ascertain
| what time they would appear in the fly state;
cordingly the 10th day Of the following July
went examine the piece of ground laid to grass
and on which the wheat destroyed the proceed
ing year. 1t was calm pleasant evening, near
sunset; soon discovered that the flies had made
their appearance their numbers innumerable :;
they were sporting upon the wing, from among the
grass their movement different from any
other fly have noticed i, being zig gag motion.
had little doubt of their being the wheat fly from
there number and color, but what put the matter
hay all my seein1 the Az d.
posting their nis in the adjoining rye.
Having succeeded thus far in my inquiries, +
next proceeded to examine whether not they
were to be found on other parts of my farm but
| could find none of them among my grass, or any
where else, except where had wheat rye the
preceding year. / would correct an error which
seems to BIO entertained, with respect to the wheat
| fly, which is that :here but a few days or a
short time in which The fly deposites its nrs.. This
is not true in facts What has produced the mistake
suppose is, late sowed wheat being less liable to
be injured than early sowed. The fact Isl that late
sowcd wheat is to a considerable degee injured al
though not to the same extent that the early is
The fly when ii first appears, being exceedingly
tender and delicate insect is exposed to be destroy
ed by various causes, such thunder storms, heavy
rains, &c. There great numbers of them that
perish in spiders webs. / observed one spiders
fsSeb (which had shared thirty of them
While was viewing them the little sovereign Of
the realm appeared and very expeditiously collect
ed them altogether, and the whole mass, n
bout the size of house fly. This destruction Of
the wheat fly accounts for late wheat being less in
jure6 than early.
have now briefly stated the facts which have
| como my knnwledgo respecting the wheat fly
And now the most important matter remains TO be
solved, which is how the evil is be remed led. If
am correct in my opinion that the fly only nits,in
wheat and rye, and this opinion appears pretty we'll
supported from the facts l have stated-tben ali
that would be necessary 10 do to exterminate the
fly would be 20 omit sowing wheat and rye for
year. 1t would not the purpose 70 omit
sowing on one farm while tho neghboring farms
were sowed, because The fly would migrate from
the farms which they produced to that Ton
which they were not. A large district of country
should omit sowing should it be found to answer
the purpose proposed.
have seen Lime proposed TO be sowed on the
grain the time of blossomng a remedy. |
have never tried it. but have little faith in lis
swering any good purpose, because think the
rain would wash it off have effect. I
w ould like however that it might be thoroughly test
ed. Another remedy has been proposed, which is,
that the earth be iinpregnated with ashes or lime
prevent the worms entering into the earth and
in that way destroying them. This think will
be found unavailable. Should the method of not
sowing for year, answer the purpose it would
cause expense, and one commission, if extended
over large tract Of country would answer the pur-
pose number of years, perhaps for ever. have
reason to think that the fly migrates but slowly MY
reason for this is that back farmers in new settled
parts Of the town have tn cir wheat but little nlur-
ed for a number of years. am inclined to think
that it is not the fly but depose of the fly, that
spreads with great rapidly. M Z. L.
Groton, April 13, 1889
MA1NE.-we learn from the Bagor Wing that five
trespassers with their teams were captured las.
week, on the disputed territory, but were soon af-