The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-11-14
DROUTH AND THE HESSIAN
Ely.

DROUTH AND THE HESSIAN
ELY.
Drouth and The IIcssian ny did con-
siderable damage TO the wheat crown
i'll Pennsylvania and ncighboring States
this year, and also in 1899. The fly
pest is one that demands consideration
at the meetings of all farmers organ
iHations, as individual effort can aC-
compllsh but little unless supported by
cooperation. The IIessian ilv is an
old pest that is so well known and has
done 80 much harm that farmers should
have organized years ago for its OK.
termination. The adult insect is
about the size of a mosquito, and in
this section the females deposit their
eggs upon the fall wheat. 1t will also
attack ryo and barley. The eggs are
deposited upon the under surface Of
the leaves and hatch in about four or
five days, the maggols then working
their way down between the sheaths
to points OF the stalks near the ground,
where the ''puparium, - or "tlat seeds
are formed. The larvae remain inactive
Oh the stubblc during the winter,
but issue as adults in the spring. They
then lay eggs for the summer brood &,
which form the familiar "ilaX Seeds
before harvest time, remaining on the
stubblc during the summer and pro.
ducing adults in the fall. Their work
weakcns the stalks and causes the
wheat to lodge. The swelling on the
young wheat near the base of the stalks
indicates their presence. Some fields
seem TO escape the fly, while others
are attacked, and the amount of moiS-
turc is a factor. The destruction caused
by this enemy Of wheat is enormous in
some sections, Pennsylvania farmers
having their yields Of wheat so greatly
reduced this year as to cause them a
loss. But this reduction not only af-
fccts the farmers, but also reduces the
wheat supply of the country, as the fly
is known owe q large area, and any
danger to the bread supply is a matter
OF concern to all classes.
AS the insect remains in the stubblc
the duty of every farmer, after he has
harvested his field, is To plow the land
or burn ii over, if possible. The land
should be rolled with II heavy roller
after blowing. All chaff aud screen.
ings should be burnt. Wet weather
favors the development of the insects.
There are parasites which prey upon
the pests, and they cannot escape de.
struction unless the burning of the
field is done somewhat late. The best
mode of preventing damage is to SOW
or drill the seed us late as possible.
Such advice may not be applicable Just
now, Il ii is not out of place to keen
that fact III view. Farmers should
examine their field and notice if there
are any indications. Many of them
are under the impression when the
l~lessian fly appears that it comes sud
denly, when IN fact it begins on wheat
in the fall and remains until ready for
work. The burning o he stubble field
after harvest, or plowlng and rolling,
should never be neglected. Co-opcr-
alive effort in a community will rid
any farmer community of the pest if
the work is done Systematically. 1t is
The careless one, here and there, who
propaSateS the insects and turns them
loose upon the community. A single
seasons work upon the cXtcrmina-
ton of the Hcssian fly would clear the
State of the nuisance, and it is not at
ali difficult to get rid Of it if all farmers
will unite III the matter.
Where wheat has been seeded down
late this year, in order to avoid the ny.
and 1t has not made desirable growth.
there may be favorable weather be-
tween now and the severely cold period.
Should the ground be covered with
snow it will afford protection against
cold. But, whether wheat starts off
well or not, there is one special fer
tilizcr that viii give the plants almost
new life in the spring, which is nitrate
OF soda. An application of 100 pounds
per acre, after danger of frost is over
in sprihg will give a deep green color
to the plants, and they will grow rapid
ly. The cost of the nitrate will be re.
turned in the increased yield of the crop,
as well as save a sickly lot of plants
from destruction. Some farmers 90
over their fields IN the spring with a
smoothing harrow, and if necessary
the fed is rolled. When APPLYING
nitrate 1t will be an advantage to har-
row before so doing. The drouth is
not so damaging to wheat if the pre-
paration of the land was thorough at
time of drilling the sceo, nor are the
plants thrown out of the ground if the
land ID well drained. A good wheat
crop pays as well nov as formerly.
even with lower prices, as labor.savlng
machinery reduces the expense, but
where farmels make the princiy al mis-.
take IS in not applying fertilizers more
literally, as well as using manure, for.
according to statistical reports, the use
OF fertilizers is not general, considering
the number Of farms.-PhilnlelDhiG
Record.