Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-02-07

points. But the most conspicuous entO-
mOlOgical event of the year 1884 was the
successful entrance within our borders of
the far-famed Hessian fly (Cecid9myia de-
StructOr) IN such numbers as to properly
entltle the movement to be called an in
vasiOn. The first mutterings Of this in
vasiOn were heard in the month of May
from WyandOtte and Johnson counties
on the eastern border. In these counties
it was reported that the "May" wheat
was most affected, and that the depreda-
lions were most extensive on lands Guilt
waited IN wheat the preceding year, and
much worse on lands cultivated in wheat
for three successive crops. IN. B. New
man, Late in the Autumn reports be-
gan to come IN Of very general distri-
button of this army of invasion through
out the eastern third of the State. The
weather of the year, while unfavOrable
for the Chinch bug, was all that could be
desired by the Hessian fly, this species
thriving in wet seasons, but languishing
in dry seasons. Thus then the species
seem to be each others cOunterparts-
bad weather for the one being good
weather for the other. Direct reports
have been received by the writer during
the past two weeks from correspondents
Of the State Board of Agriculture in
thirty-five different counties. OF these
twenty-One report the Hessian fly as pres
ent to an extent varying from slight indi-
cations to very serious occupation. The
western line of the invading army now
rest between the 9th and 98th meridians,
and the line is unbroken from Sum-
ner, in the southern tier of counties, to
Washington, in the northern tier. This
line passes through Sumner, SedgWick
Harvey, Marion, Dickinson and Clay to
Washington. Ne counties west of this
line report the presence of the foe. No
reports have been received from the
southeastern counties excepting CherO-
kee, which reports a light attack of the
fly. The other counties reporting its
presence are COWley, Morris, Davis,
Riley, POttaWatOmie, Wabaunsee, Shaw
nee, Douglas, Johnson, WyandOtte, Leav-
enWOrth, AtchisOn, Jackson and DOni-
phan. Thus there is not only an I'M
broken line of the enemy from Sumner
north to Washington, but also from Sum
ner northeast to DOniphan in the north
eastern corner of the State. The counties
reporting the most serious injury are
DOniphan, Atchison, LeaVenWOrth, Wa
baunsee. Davis, Riley, Morris, Dickinson
and Marion. The following extracts
from correspondence will be of interest
IN this connection:
r.. r. Clemens, Aida, Davis county:
This is their first appearance here, and
1 should judge would decrease the yield
from 10 to 20 per cent.
j. III. Johnson, HarveyVille, Wabaun-
see county: "Since the1Sth of November
1 have been nearly all over the county
and found Hessian fly wherever went.
With the exception Of a few fields of very
early sOWn wheat, they have not done
any material damage; the late sOWn looks
very Well.'
Z. R. Brown, Atchison: "Our growing
wheat crop has been seriously injured by
the Hessian fly. From present indica-
tons the wheat crop viii be q failure.
Much Of 1t died before the hard winter
set in. In the early fall 1t was seriously
affected by what many supposed to be
rust, but it turned out to be the work OF
the Hessian fly"
Joshua Wheeler, NOrtOnville, Jefferson
county: ''The only insect that has troubled
the wheat In this county has been the
Hessian fly. The extent Of the damage
is somewhat difficult to learn. In this
part of the county it is quite limited. All
the early 6OWn wheat is somewhat dam
aged. Wheat sOWn after September %
does not seem to be damaged at all"
J. L. Shore, Skiddy, Morris County:
There is great complaint Of the Hessian
fly in the wheat crop and many fields are
badly injured. The eggs are laid In the
foliage, and some resOFted to pasturinq
the wheat, thinking if grazed close that
many Of the eggs might be stripped OF