Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-10-19
Fly PROOF WHEAT.

The following article, copied from the WI
chester Va. Republican, will commend itsc
TO the attention of numerous class Of o,
readers who are engaged in agricultural pu
suits:
Mr.. GALLAHER:-I observe in your papc
of last week tlIat the Fly-Proof Wheat recent
ly introduced i'm the Valley, and. indeed, may
say into the State of Virginia, is beginning 'tt
attract the attention of our agriculturists. Be-
lieving that any information upon this subject
however limited, may prove interesting to
some OF your readers, will cheerfully state
all that has come into my possession. How
the word Mediterranean became attached to
this species Of wheat, ! am unable to say !;
but know that it was not originally import
ed from any country bordering upon that sea.
The history of its introduction into the Uni
ted States, will state in a few words. Several
years ago an American gentleman who was
, travelling IN Holland received and accepted
an invitation TO dine with number of Hes
SANS, Dor the circumstance occurred in the
Hesse counry,) when the conversation turned
upon the agriculture of the two countries. 1t
was asked of the American, why, with our
fine climate and soil, we so often failed i'm bay-
ing good wheat crops The latter replied
that it was doubtless in a great measure attriA
butabIe 10 an insect which il was supposed
was introduced into the United States IN the
wheat sent from Holland during the Revolt
honary War for the subsistence of the British
army, which was known in this country as the
HcSSjan FIy. The lIessians were amused
at the reply ; but admitted that some kinds
of wheat in that country were liable TO injury
by insects, while there was species in very
general use that resisted their attacks
The American gentleman woc prcccnto1
with some OF this wheat, which he brought 10
this country and sowed upon his farm in Dell
aware subsequently, Il small quantity was
forwarded to the Patent Office at Washington,
where IT attracted the attention of James
q. Tallaicno. Esq. (son-in-law the late Rep
rescntaive in Congress from the Northern
Neck district,) by whom il was introduced
into Virginia, and It's ability TO resist the at
tacks of the Fly successfully tested YOU
VIII therefore perceive that the name ".Ne-
dderrdnc0n," given TO this wheat, has no
more applicability than i has TO our common
Indian corn. There may have been spe&
cies of wheat introduced into this country
from some one of the States bordering on the
Wheat" is another article.
That this Wheat is llv proof cannot be
pcrmtlcd to doubt, and, being ny proof. sub
nit to Our farmers whether ii is not, there fore;
less liable to suffer from the ruSt than the
common kinds. 1t is my opinion that the
latter evil may be fairly laid to the charge of
The lfcsSlan Fly, for this reason: the Fly at
tacks the stalk of the wheat before it is Joint
ed, and Of course in young and tender State
the first shoe, is either killed or so much da-
mayed that lateral branches or suckers arc
thrown ont from the root as we observe from
the root oi ii tree after the tree has been cut
DOWN which are so late in maturing that the
heat of summer catches the wheat green and
tender and liable to be DESTROYED by few
hours OF sultry weather. This also believe
to re the cause Of wheat ripcning go irrcpu
larly throughout field, as some lines occurs
to such degree that farmers have been
known TO deliberate for days before commences
cling the wheat harvest
mus you Will perceive that charge almost
every evil to which our wheat crops are sub
Ject, to the llessian Fly; and it seems that If
indeed this evil was inflicted upon us by the
llesslans during the Revolutionary War, be-
SIDES having drubbed them pretty well at that
time for their interference in our affairs. we
are at last indebted TO them for preventive
OF lis pernIcious effects.
From all can learn, for am neither a
farmer nor miller, though have paid some
attention TO the farming interest, and only re4
greet that my zeal has not been rewarded bv
corresponding degree of benefit 10 those in
terests, )-lrony all | can learn, am induced
to believe that this wheat will not Weld az
well, either in quality or quantity of flour, as
the fay oriie kinds sowetl in the Valley; bnl
presume this matter will be thoroughly tested
this TALL by our mi!lers, when the result will
be made public. Let this result be what il
may, this wheat has been proved toyield we'll;
and IT 1t is what its advocates claim for it, that
is, FIg- Proof. and therefore less liable TO be
injured by the rust, it is desidcralum long
sought, and one that will be of immense adj
vantage TO the whole country
Yours, SC. r