Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-05-23
93E9rttuCtnrdC+
FLY IN WHEAT.

AS the fly is doing much damage to
the wheat crops in this section of the
country, we do not think we could Sc
lcCt an article at this time that would be
more acceptable to the reader, than the
one which follows:-We VALLEY Farmer.
AS the Hessian fly is making its raw
ages IN the wheat crops, we may as well
communicate our own experience, as
we'll as that of many old farmers who
have cultivated wheat many years.
The Hessian fly, as it is called, almost
invariably attacks early sown wheat in
the latter part OF autumn, and after ex-
perience has also proved, that wheat
sown Ue,y late is equally liable to des-
truction in the following spring, as is
now the case, according to the nforma-
ton we have recently received from the
nelghborlng country. 1t appears then
advisable to adopt middle course, SOW
ing our wheat, if possible, between about
the 9Th and last of October. The oldest
farmers inform US that having adopted
this course, viz. sowing after the first
autumnal frost, that the wheat may not
be above ground until the autumn fly
has persisted, with a good soil and good
culture to insure vigorous growth, (the
very wet season of course forms an ex-
ception to the general rule of growth in
this respect,) they have never suffered
any loss from this insect. Some expe-
rlments recorded by agricultural soce-
ties, of sowing caustic lime upon the
grain. particularly while there is dew
upon the ground, in the spring of the
year, seem to encourage the idea, that
it saves the crop. at least partially, from
the fly. 1t is at any rate worthy of furth-
Ell trial, and we shall be glad if any of
our farmers will inform us of any results
that may strengthen the probability of
this application being successful. Warm
and unreasonable weather late in the au-
tumn, as was the case last year, will fa-
vor the work Of destruction Of this in
sect at that fime. The spring insect is
more likely to do mischief when wheat
Is sowed so late as to be much Stinted by
the severity Of the winter frosts, and
therefore in the beginning of spring its
growth is not sufficiently strong to ont
live the attacks it NAV receive from this
pest. We may state shortly. until more
ne" lights shall be thrown upon this sub
ject, which we trust may be done by
some OF our practical farmers, that the
best precautions TO be taken against this
interloper on our prosperity in raising
the staff of life,' is, on very poor land.
snanurlng well; making use of heavy
roller after the chrysalis or grub is form.
ed in the autumn, or in the spring before
ii is Matched; plo8ghing up the stnbbe
deep. and thus burylng it, and after
wards narrowing it, and again in the
spring the stubbe, an operation which
IL thoroughly done, we must destroy the
grub most effectualIy; pasturng in the
spring on strong lands, and when rank
in growth; and last, but not least, as be
fore stated, sowing the wheat. as faI a:
knowledge OF the season will permit, a
a medium distance between the first ant
last frosts of altumn. This insect frs
made its appearance in New England
according to DR. Dwight in his Tr0pel
an Neao England 10 1897, and advanced
At the rate of twenty miles a year, des
teoying the crops of entire districts ant
rendering it impossible to cultivate par
ticular variety of wheat, The bearded
varieties Of wheat seem to be mole tre'