The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-11-15
DROUTU AND THE llESSlAN
Fly.

Drouth and the IlcSsian fly did con-
siderable damage to the wheat grown
in 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
izations, as individual effort can ar-
cOmphsh but little unless supported by |
cooperation. The llcSsian fly is IN
old pest that is so well known and has
done 80 much harm that farmers should
have organized years aG" Tor lis cN'
termination. The adult insect is
about the size of Il mosquito, and IN |
this section the females deposit their |
eggs upon the fall wheat. 1t will ais"
attack rye and barley. The cy%s are
deposited upon the under surface OF |
the leaves and hatch in about four or
five days, the magG0lN then working |
their way down between the >hrathS |
to points Of the stalks near the ground. |
where the "ruparium:' er "tlat seeds
are formed. The larvae remain inactive
on the slubblc during the winter,
but issue as adults in the spring. They
then lay eggs for the summer brood,
which form the familiar "iaX sccds,'
before harvest time, remaining on The
stubblc during the summer and pro.
ducing adults in the fall. Their work
wcakcns 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 Il 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 rs to cause them Il
loss. But this reduction not only aG-
fcctS the farmers, but also reduces the
whca; supply of the country, aS the fly
is known over large area. and any
danger to the bread supply is a matter
of concern to all classes.
As the insect remains in the stubhlC
the duty of every farmer, after he has
harvested his field, is tu pIow the hand
or burn ii over. if possible. THE land
should he rolled with heavy I,l,,r
after plowing. All chan and >yr,ru-
ingS should be burnt Wet wealth, +
favors the development of the insects.
There are parasites which prey upon
the pests. and they cauMut escape dc.
s,rurt;on uulnss fin. hrr,,i,,., -, ~.
hclL is Jonr snn,vl,- ',,r Tn. 5,',,
undo or ,r,von,;,,., l,,,...... ;,,...,,,
nr drill, the s,,I ~ '.,, ,,.,.i},.
Su,.h ,lviro ,,,,,. W.. ....,,,t:.,i,. H..
now I'm, il ! No, n;. ot ,;.r,. -. t,.,,
that fact III view. Farmers should
nrc any in.;j,a,i,r. N.nv ,.. tL,,,,
are undcr the imr,,..f,, when ,I,
Urs,iau fix aup,a,,s that i .,,,,.. .ni.
lrnlv when IN fa,.r (. l,.,;,,, ,,n ,,l,..,,
in ,Lc fall and rrmoiu. ,,,,,; r,.,i, f...
work The buruir,, nf Ih, .,,l,l'.' f...4
after harvest. or n,nv,n,. and r,f.,u.,
>houIJ never lac n,r,,ct,d ,,.,,.r-
alive effort in y crmulJr,iv W.. rA
any farmer community Of fine NOS, #
the work is dome sy>1rnaIj,oI,y. Il !.
lhc careless one. here and ,h,rr who
nroun,o,rs ,hr insects and tDrus Them
loose unon ,hc community \ sir.,,r
seasons work unon thc rv,rrniI,,-
zion uf ,hr lIrs,;,i, nv vn,,,I ,.r,,r. tl,,
State If ,hc nni,,rrr and !, :. r,t 'r
M, J;o;.rl, .,,o, ,ii -, !, If IN ,.,,,,.,
,,;,, ,,r;,,. i, no n,,4or
vr,"., ,,l,,,,, l,,,, i,,'',,...,
l,tr Tins vr,r in nrJrr ,n avail ~. r,
,nJ u L,. mn, mai, l,.ir,j,, ,,r,,,,.,t,
thcrn may hr foynrohIr wno,In,. w. w.
,woo,nn,r anil tbns,.,,o,,,,. ..,Jl ,,,,,;l
ShoriI ,hn yrornl hn royn,,L ,.;,i,
.nnw, !; Win 9,ynrI ,,rn,o,,;,., .'.,',,,',
nnII rr, uhn,hor ,rnn.,, ,.,''''''t ''n
vn,l or nn, ,hnrn !. ono .,,'.;,l ,'n
,n;,or ,hn, .;ll ,,i,o ,,. ,l,n,, .,|,l
n,w lir,. - ,h. E,,r;r., ulirh :. ,,;,n.,..
r., $500,
ncr acre after dauucr Of r..r il ny,.