The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-22
FLY PROOF WHEAT
Insect Pest Is Ravaging the
Wheat Fields.
Government Discussing Plans to
Circumyent 1t.
LATE S0WN GRAIN
LATE SOWN GRAIN.
Farmers May Put Their Wheat
in Ground in October.
This Would Prevent the Spring
Crop of Flies.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 22.-Reports
are coming in from various sections OF
/ Kansas to the effect that many farmers
are preparing to plow up their wheat,
owing to the depredations of the Hes
sian fly. Similar reports come from all
over the country. The Hessian fly has
not seriously bothered American farm
ers during the past few years, but the
pest appeared in nearly every section
this fall in a very formidable way.
An insect that is able to do $l,OOO,VeO
worth of damage to the farmers OF the
United States in a single year may well
be regarded as one of the most danger
Gus and destructive Of the many Toes
against which the agFiculturlSts OF tn's
country are compelled to fight for a liv-
ing This is the record of the Hessla1
fly, which is second to the famous
chinchbug in the destruction of crops
throughout more than One-half of the
grain-growing districts of the United
States, and it's ravages in the wheat
fields in other countries have long been
known and experienced. Hence the de-
partment of agriculture has for some
time past made this subject a serious
study.
At present the Hessian fly has a very
wide distribution throughout the grain
growing region of Europe and America
There is evidence of its having existed
from prehistoric time in the countries Of
southern Europe, adjacent to the Medl-
terranean sea, and was introduced into
this country near New York on Long
Island by the Hessian soldiers during
the war of the revolution in 1875 and
1777. The pest infested the straw used
for the soldiers bedding and soon spread
from their camps Observations showed
that a spread from that section into the
adjacent territory was approximated at
the rate of 20 miles per year.
The facts concerning its distribution
throughout the United States are of
great Importance in connection with the
wheat industry, as each year of its
spread added continual and greater
losses. From the time of its introduc-
tion, its distribution followed the expan-
sion of the wheat districts associated
with the development and settlement of
the Mississippi valley. It's eastward
spread seems to have placed its ex-
treme limit in Maine, at Bangor. South
ward it has gone as far as the northern
part of South Carolina, and in its ex
treme southern limit in Texas it reach
es nearly to the gulf. Westward it oc-
ours throughout a greater portion Of
Kansas, the eastern part of Nebraska,
and northWard, according to Webster.
the noted entoTnologist, it has been
found in North Dakota and Minnesota
On the Pacific coast it has raVaged the
wheat crops of California and Oregon TO
some extent in late years. Scientists be-
lieVe the dispersal of this insect pest in
the wheat-growing districts of Idaho,
Washington, and other points, where
wheat culture is carried on in isolated
districts, will be fortified against by rea-
son of the extended ranges of noun
tains or stretches of arid lands.
The only way in which the presence of
the pest is recognized is by it's char
acteristic breaking down of the wheat
after the plant has grown to some con-
siderable height. In feeding upon it the
fly punctures the blades and the stem
or reed of the plant at its base, which
causes it to break and die. During the
late fall the fly deposits it's eggs upon
the Stubhle wheat, on grasses, and upon
the ground. The larvae having wonder
full vitality, in extreme cold sections lies
until the middle of April or first Of May
when it matches the spring brood. 1t is
this brood that plays havoc with the
spring wheat, as they mature very soon
after Matching. This brood lays its eggs
on the stalk, and by the time the winter
wheat is reaching maturity they have
transferred their operations to it.
The Hessian fly presents variations
not only in number of, brOOds, from one
to possibly five or six, depending upon
the latitude, but by retardation under
conditions peculiar to each year. 1t has
long been known that this pest flourish
eS best when the ch1nch bug 1OuriSheS
least-that is, the wet weather favors it.
Moisture favors the well being of the
larvae stage, and drought does it no in
jury.
wheat crops each year, the Hessian fly
preyS upon crops of rye, barley and
various varieties of grasses It has been
that this pest feeds on grasses. and it's
attacks have been confined exclusively
to California, where much havoc was
played.
The State Journal representative in
obtaining information for the Kansas
farmers to fight the pest, the govern
ment claims there need be no longer a
source of loss by the Hessian fly under
a proper system of agriculture. The
best preparat ton of the farmer, however
to contend with the insect involves for
him a thorough knowledge of the condi-
tions favoring or obstructing the action
of the insect, and to this end he should
be particularly familiar with the con-
ditions of acceleration or retardation of
DEVELOPMENT as affecting the time of
appearance of the various broods.
In harvesting the grain in July and
August it is recommended by the de-
partment that it be cut quite high and
the infested stubble fields fired as a
measure to destroy the puparis before 1t
has reached its mature state. Along
with the burning of the stubble the chaff
and screenings after threshfng should
likewise be destroyed In wet weather
when the burning of the stubble is inn
practica Bile, then it should be pIOWed IN
and compacting the earth in this man.
ner the issuing of flies which may de-
svelop from the puparia in the earth is
prevented. Volunteer wheat at this time
of the year should be plowed under as
it furnishes food for the insect when all
other sources of food are exhausted.
In the winter wheat regions when
early spring sowing is practical. and
the crops show evidences of being in
tested it should be Dlowed under at
sowing of fall wheat has been one of
the principal resources against Hessian
flies and the investi cations of leading
entomologists show they agree in a