In consultation with your Secretary, it was thought best, in view of the alarming character of the attack, that general attention should be called to it throughout the infested region, and instructions given as to the best means for arresting it, particularly such as should be at once resorted to, in order to reach as large a portion as possible of the present brood. A circular of this character was accordingly prepared.. An edition of three thousand copies was printed, and they have been very generally distributed throughout the portions of the State where the attack had been observed, together with such contiguous territory as it may be expected to reach in another season. The circular is herewith presented: NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY. Directions for Arresting the Chinch-bug Invasion of Northern New York. Portions of St. Lawrence county, New York, are now suffering from a serious attack of the chinch-bug (Blissus leucopterus)- perhaps the most injurious of our insect enemies. It has already, in the third year (probably) of its introduction, and the second year of the observation of its attack, spread to such an extent, and shown such a rapid increase under very unfavorable conditions, that a continued increase in its diffusion and destructiveness is probable, unless effectual measures can be taken to prevent it. At present, only timothy and other grasses seem to have been attacked. Wherever attacked, the root is destroyed, and the grass, consequently, is entirely killed. With its increase, its ravages would extend to wheat, rye, barley and corn, which are its favorite food-plants. Its extension over the State of New York, as now threatened, would be attended with an annual loss of millions of dollars. It seems practicable, at this stage, to prevent this extension, by earnest and combined effort throughout the district now invaded. The most favorable time for this effort has already passed; but much may be accomplished by immediate action. As it is of very great importance that this destructive insect-the terror of our Southern and Western farmers—should not be permitted to obtain a permanent footing in our State, hitherto free from its depredations, a prompt and full compliance with the following directions is strongly urged: 1. Let every farmer in St. Lawrence county and adjacent counties in Northern New York (particularly in the western portion of St. Lawrence and northern of Jefferson), examine his meadows for patches of dead grass, looking as if winter-killed, indicating the attack of the insect. As an aid to its ready recognition, the infested areas upon the [Sen. Doc. No. 60.] 8 farm of Mr. H. C. King, of the town of Hammond, St. Lawrence county, may be examined." 2. If the attack is detected, burn the dead grass and its surrounding border of fifteen or twenty feet not yet showing attack. This may be effectually done by first applying a covering of straw. A favoring wind is desirable for the purpose. 3. Plow the burned area (better still if the plowing extends beyond this limit and embraces the entire meadow) in broad and deep furrows, turning the sod completely and flatly over, not permitting it to lie in ridges. 4. To insure the more effectual burying of the insects that may be at present feeding upon, or preparing to pass the winter among, the roots of the grasses, harrow the plowed surface slightly, and follow with a heavy rolling. 5. Where the meadows will not permit of plowing as above, gas-lime, wherever it can be conveniently obtained from the gas-works at Ogdensburg, Watertown, etc., may be distributed over the ground, at the rate of 200 bushels to the acre. The gas-lime would also serve as a valuable fertilizer. Of the above directions, the first four should be followed at once. The application of gas-lime might be postponed until the month of November, before the setting in of winter, or to the early spring. It should be confined to the dead and infested portions of the meadows, as in its fresh state it would kill the grass. In the winter, during February, it may safely be distributed over the entire fields, where it would probably serve the additional purpose of a preventive of a spring attack. New attacks and more widespread distribution may be looked for about the first of June in the ensuing year. Directions for meeting these, by other methods, will be given hereafter. It is hoped that every one interested will cheerfully comply with the above directions, and not render necessary a resort to compulsory legislation, which would undoubtedly call for a large increase of labor and expenditure. The agricultural interests of the State of New York may justly demand that, if possible to prevent it, the chinch-bug shall not be allowed to gain a permanent footing as a grain and grass destroyer within its borders. Its injuries in the State of Illinois, in a single year, were estimated at seventy-three millions of dollars almost five times the amount computed for the wheat-midge ravages in New York, at the time of its greatest destructiveness. OFFICE OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST, October 18, 1883. The CHINCH-BUG in natural size and as enlarged (about ten diameters). Color: black, with white wing-covers, having a black subtriangular spot on the outer margin of each, and two black veins nearer the base. The legs, the sucking-tube, and the base of the antennæ, are deep honey-yellow; the feet and the last joints of the antennæ are black. Length, about three-twentieths of an inch. The young, appearing early in June and late in August, are blood-red, with a white band across their middle; later they change to brown and afterward to black. I regret to have to report that the response given to the directions of the circular have fallen short of their requirement. Plowing under the infested areas has been quite general, but I do not learn that it has approached the thorough character recommended. Burning has not been resorted to, except upon the farm of Mr. King. The application of gas-lime will probably not be made, to any great extent, as it is reported as not easily to be obtained. Perhaps no other result should have been anticipated at this stage of the attack, or before the absolute necessity of vigorous action should be unmistakably apparent. Former experiences show that our farmers, as a rule, are indisposed to yield ready compliance with recommendations simply, although calculated to save them from serious pecuniary loss, particularly if such recommendations involve any expenditure beyond that of quite a limited amount of extra labor on their part. It would, therefore, seem to be a wise economy for the State whenever a continued extension of any formidable insect attack presents itself, that a prompt resort be had to effectual preventive measures, through legislation compelling the action desired and not otherwise to be had. Several laws for the prevention and destruction of injurious insects exist upon the statute books of European countries. In our own State and others there are laws against noxious weeds; and it would indicate an enlightened progress if there were also those controlling the unlimited spread of some of our more harmful insect pests. The distribution of the above circular has brought to light the existence of the chinch-bug attack very generally throughout the western angle of St. Lawrence county; its presence on almost every farm in the town of Alexandria in Jefferson county, and elsewhere in other northern towns of the same county; and also upon Deer river in the northern portion of Lewis county. The re-appearance of the insect the coming season will be watched with much interest, as a test of the efficacy of the partial efforts put forth for its destruction. Although the late autumn and the winter up to the present have been favorable to its continuance, still I hope that the means already resorted to and those hereafter to be taken, will check the further distribution of this most dangerous pest throughout the State, and destroy it where it now exists. CONCLUSION. Not further anticipating the details of other insect studies which have engaged my attention during the past season, to be hereafter given in my regular annual report, I would state in conclusion : The increasing recognition from various sources of the value of the investigations which are being made by this Department, are very gratifying to your Entomologist. They will serve to prompt him to, if possible, more earnest effort in the future, to the end that the great value to the State to the study of the insect world may continue to become more and more apparent until it shall be recognized by all in a cordial sympathy and aid extended to it. Respectfully submitted, J. A. LINTNER. OFFICE OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST, } |