The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-07

the uQQeC SuTIaCe Ol Tue ledfeS uuu
hatch in about four or five days, the
maggots then working their way be-
tween the sheaves to points Of the
stalk near the ground, where the ''pu-
parium," or fiat Seeds" are formed.
The larvae remain inactive on the
stubble during the winter, but issue
as adults in the spring. Then they lay
their eggs for the summer brood, which
form the familiar "flax Seeds" before
harvest time, remaining on the stubble
during the summer and producing
adults in the fall. Their work weakens
the stalks and causes the wheat to
lodge. The swelling On the young
wheat near the base Of the stalk indi-
Gates their presence. Some fields seem
to escape the fly, while others are at
tackled, and the amount of moisture is
also a factor. The destruction caused
by this enemy Of wheat js enormous in
some sections, farmers having their
yield Of wheat SO greatly reduced as to
cause heavy loss, and this reduction
not only affects the farmers, but also
reduces the wheat supply Of the coun-
try, as the fly is known over large
area. any danger to the bread supply
being Il matter Of concern to all
classes.
AS the insects remains in the stubble
the duty Of every farmer after he
has harvested his field is to plow the
land or burn it over if possible. The
land should be rolled with heavy
roller after plowing. All chaff and
screenings should be burned. Wet
weather farors the development of the
insects. There are parasites which
prey upon the pests and they cannot
escape destruction unless the burning
Of the field is done somewhat late. The
Pennsylvania Experiment Station rec
ommends that the best mode Of pre-.
venting damage is to SOW or drill the
seed as late as possible. Such advice
may not always be applicable, but it is
not out Of place to Keep that fact In
| view. Farmers should examine their
fields when the wheat is well under
way and notice il there are any indica-
tions. Many Of them are under the
impression, when the Hessian fly ap-
pears. that it comes suddenly, when in
| fact it begins on wheat In the fall and
remains until ready for work. The
burning Of the stubble field after har-
vest or plowing and rolling. should
never be neglected. Cooperative. ef-
forts in a community will rid any farm
ing community of the pest if the work
is done systematically. 1t is the care
| less one, here and there, who propa-
gates the insects and turns them loose
upon the community. A single Sea-
! sons work upon the determination Of
the Hessiaii fiy would clear commun-
| ity of the nuisance, and 1t Is not at all
difficult to get rid OF it if all the farm
crs will unite in the matter.
When wheat is seeded down late this
year, in order to avoid the fly. and it
has not made desirable growth, there
may be favorable weather between
seeding and the severe cold weather.
Should the ground be covered with
snow 1t will afford protection against
cold, but, whether wheat starts oil
we'll or not. there is one special fertil.
izer that will 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 the spring. will give a deep green
color to the plants and they will grow
rapidly. The cost Of the nitrate will
be returned in the increased yield OF
the crop, as well as save q sickIy lot Of
plants from destruction. Some farm
ers 20 over their fields in the spring
with q smoothing harrow. and il nec'
essary the field is rolled. When ap-
plying nitrate it will be an advantage
to harrow before SO doing. The drouth
is not. so damaging to wheat If the
preparation Of the land is thorough at
time Of drilling the seed: nor are the
=, plants. thrown out Of the ground if the
land Is we'll drained. A good wheat
crop pays as we'll now rs formerly,
even with lower prices, as labor-saVing
machinery reduces the expense; but
where farmers make the principal 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.-PhiIadelphia
Record.