The Colfax chronicle., 1904-11-26
cRoP-DEsTRoYlNo PEST.
The Hessian Fly, It's Habits and Best
Way to Get Rid of the Per-
nicious Insect.

/
Prof. Lawrence Bruner, of the Univer.
sity of Nebraska, is the author of a
bulletin just issued from the state uni
versity agricultural experiment station
which gives a complete summary of the
habits of the Hessian fly and names sew
eral remedies for its extinction. He says
in the bulletin:
Although the Hessian fly has been
known for number of years to occur
within the state, it has done compara-
lively little damage in the past. During
recent years, however, it has shown
more of tendency toward multiplying
in dangerous numbers. Especially has
this been true in southeastern Nebraska,
where considerable injury has already
resulted. In order that the wheat grow
ers of this and adjoining sections may
not be taken entirely unawares should
the insect spread and continue to in
crease the experiment station authori-
ties have thought best to distribute this
brief circular treating on the subject.
This insect is diminutive, dark
coiored fly, much smaller than a little
mosquito, to which latter it bears a
general resemblance Its habit of laying
eggs on young plants of wheat. barley
and rye renders it dangerous farm
pest. Especially is this true of it in re-
gions where winter grains are grown. It
may also become pest at times even
wnere spring wheat alone is raised. but
there is little danger that this last will
occur.
The ny appears during spring and
fall, but a few of the mature insects NAV
be seen throughout the summer as well.
Here in Nebraska the spring brood may
De found late in April, during May and
the hrst part of June The autumn flies
issue late In August, throughout Sep-
tember and the first part of October
appearing later in spring and earlier IN
iali northward. The eggs are deposited
both in spring and fall on the upper side
of the leaves and the young. as soon as
natcned, make their way down the plant |
TO near the ground. where they lodge |
beneath the sheaf of leaves"
AS remedies Prof. Bruner suggests the
Burn the stubble when possible. This
s particularly desirable when for any
purpose shallow plowing is unavoidable,
I the stubble is left long it will burn
more easily. Some farmers are willing
o go to the trouble of spreading straw
rom thrashing over the stubble. thus
nsurlng the burning and at the same
line getting rid of some 'flaxseeds'
which may have lodged on the surface of
ne straw pile at the time of thrashing.
Fall blowing of the stubble in such a
ray that the straw is completely turned
nder.
"All screenings and litter about the
hrashing machine should be cleaned up
nd either fed Immediately or burned,
,aving no litter from the thrashing on
ne Held. There is no absolute need of
urning the straw pile. The flies emerg-
lg from the 'faxseeds' in the center Of
ne pile will never reach the surface.
Since the fly lays its eggs. as a rule.
ear the locality where it emerges from
ne naxseed, 1T is best not to plant wheat
the same ground two years in success
on where rotation is possible. varie.
es of wheat that produce stout stalk
re the least affected by this pest.
Cooperation is absolutely necessary,
r, however careful one may be. If his
sighbor is not so the latter's fields will
lord supply of this pest for the for
er. Since this pest issues from the
axseed' early in May (oreven in ApriD.
stubble field left for corn land and not G
cwed up to May 10 or later has prob
'iy discharged its quota of flies ready
mischief before plowing.
The practice of sowing narrow strips s
grain across the field early in the fall J.
act as decoys and later blowing them !,
der. has at times proved beneficial. u
e decoy planting should be done late $
August or in early September. Pas 9
ring early sown fields with sheep has