The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-06-26
THE HESSIAN FLY

An Agricultural Pest which Is an Import
ant Factor in Fixing tho Price of Wheat
This pest received its name from the
fact that it was first observed in 1776
on Staten Island. near the place where
the Hessian troops disembarked under
the lead of Sir William Howe. 1t is
small insect the body being only about
one-tenth Of an inch long. but it works
immense damage. 1t generally natures
two broods in the year, the first ap-
pearing about the Esd of May in the
Southern States, and some what later
farther north The eggs, about one
fiftieth of an inch in length, are placed
in the longitudinal creases of the leaves
of both varieties of wheat very soon
after the plants make their appearance
above the ground, sometimes more than
twenty being feend on single leaf. In
few DAYS the Larvae are Matched out.
and fix themselves between the leaf and
the main stalk. Just below the surface of
the ground, where they obtain nourish-
ment by sucking the juices of the plant
1t takes about six weeks for the grub to
obtain his full growth, and during that
time two or three are sufficient to kilf
the plant. 1t is often found. however,
that the plant is not completely killed,
but only stunted, and the full measure
of damage wrought is not discovered
till the thrashing-out process shows
that there is practically no grain left in
the ear torewarG the farmer for his toll.
The worst thing about the Hessian
fly has vet to be told. Most insects
eonfine their dcpredations to a single
season. Their ravages of one harvest
time may be followed by an abundant
yield the very next year. But the Hes
sian fly is not content to destroy during
one season. The grub relaxes into the,
pupa state, when it somewhat resem-
bles grain of flaxseed. and lies in the
stubble till the following spring or is,
carried away IN the straw to be ready
for . resumption of hostilities else
where. This has been repeated for as,
many as five q six years before the vi
tality OF the pest has yielded to the in
evitahle and left the farmer at peace.
L becomes an important question il
the Hessian fly will repeat history in
this particular. II it should do so the
business of vheat-raising in the United
CCokCr iOf oAPOie
have received check of no
small magnitude. and the Ameri-
can farwer may even find that he
has. nearly al he can do to supply the
growing wants of the home population
With such vast exparse of territory as
is nox devoted to wheat culture in. this
country there is room for hope that
things win not come to this,worst phase
especially .s the wide areas of the
Northwest appear to be free from the
scourge. But it is worth while TO look
ahead and survey the possibilities Of the
case, and all the more 50 as our wheat
market has long been depre ssed fan be-
low its average level. With the REDUCED
Weld for this year only, which now
seems to be certain. lis folly to. dsspise
the moderate surplus that remains over
from the last crop. But if this should
prove to be only the first in q. series of
wears of comparative scarcity there
would be ample opportunity TO deplore
the short-sighted policy that has recent
tx been exhibited in tho wheat trade.
and which finds parallel in the folly
Of the wage-woriser who refuses 10 earn
smother dollar so long as he has ANY,
thing remaining from his last We
wages.-ChicaGp Tribune.