The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1914-07-02
To Combat Hessian Fly this Fall

Washington, June ~ Has your
wheat been infested by she Hessian
fly this season." is a question that the
U. S. Department oi Agriculture is now
asking farmers. The information is
desired that there may be general CO.
operation between all concerned in re-
ducing the devastations Of the fly.
There is every indication that the pest
will be unusually troubleson TO the
crop this fall.
Every wheat grower in the country
who suspects that his crop has been
infested is requested to send his name
to the Departments Bureau Of Ento-
mology at Washington, D. c., with
request for a question blank. The
questions to be answered are merely as
to whether the wheat growers crop
was infested at certain seasons, The
farmer will then be asked to forward
some Of the infested wheat plants ior
examination, postage paid by the gov
eminent. He will also be asked to
give his name, address, and the nearest
railway station.
The department is cooperating with
various state experiment stations in this
campaign against the Hessjan fly, and
in some cases the infested straw will
be sunt by the farmer TO local stations
lor examination. The wheat grower
can slearn just where his sample Of
straw is to be sent when he sends his
hame to the department, indicating
his willingness TO send the sample.
The department encourages the sender
not to be afraid to forward too much
Of the straw, even though it has 10 be
sent by parcel post. The upper part
OF the straw need not be sent, but
enough above the ground should be
included to get the insect in what is
known as the "fiaxseed" stage, when
the larva is incased in a hard, brown
skin, and somewhat resembles fax
seed. The insects will remain for a
considerable time in the haxseed state
during a drouth and will only emerge
after rains have moistened the soil.
Dry weather in the late summer tends
TO keep the insect in that stage, which
| is a fact Of special importance in the
north, where the wheat must be sown
early enoogh to enable the plants TO
tand the winter.
Probably no other insect causes more
damage TO the wheat crop in the
United States than the Hessian fly,
although there are certain years when
the chinch bug exceeds the fly in its
devastatons. During the seasons
when the fly is especially abundant
hundreds Of thousands Of acres OF wheat
may be either totally destroyed or so
badly injured as TO reduce the yield
so to IS per cent. The monetary
losses run far up into the millions.
A number Of years ago there was in
Kansas general cooperation between
grain dealers, millers and farmers to re-
strict the ravages of this dangerous in
sect. According to their own estimate
over million dollars we're saved by
prompt action and thorough measures.
This year the department hopes 10 Sc
cure general cooperation throughout
the country in combating the pest.
There are indications that its ravages
may be severe. Alredy in Iowa and
Oklahoma there have been threatening
outbreaks Of the insect.
Not only are federal aud state or
ganizations Of the government! cooper
ating in this campaign but others, such
as the National Miller's Federation are
working to secure better control ovei
the Hessian fly. The individual whea
grower is asked to send his samples o
infested straw before the middle o
September, or sooner if possible. l
you are a wheat grower, send you
name at once to the Bureau OF Ento
mology, Department Of Agriculture
Washington, D. c.
|
Unable 10 protect their anointet