THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF ILLINOIS 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
ND.N CIRCULATING 
 
 CHECK FOR UNBOUND 
 CIRCULATING COPY 
 
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, 
 
 Agricultural Experiment Station 
 
 CHAMPAIGN, FEBRUARY, 1892. 
 
 BULLETIN NO. 19. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS, 1891. 
 
 THE CHINCH BUG IN ILLINOIS, 1891-92. 
 
 EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS, 1891. 
 
 This article gives results of experiments with oats conducted dur- 
 ing 1891, in regard to rate of seeding, depth of sowing, and comparison 
 of varieties. Comparisons are also made with results of similar experi- 
 ments in previous years. 
 
 The trials were all made on the fertile, dark-colored prairie soil of 
 the Station grounds. The season was unusually favorable for oats. In 
 central Illinois, as well as over much of the United States, larger yields 
 were reported than for many years past. The weight per bushel was 
 also very large. The rainfall during the season of growth was unusu- 
 ally light 6.51 inches for April, May, and June, while the average for 
 these months for ten years has been 12.68 inches. The rainfall during 
 the autumn and winter preceding had also been very light 11.17 inches 
 for the six months from October to March. The average temperature 
 for the three months of growth was nearly the same as in 1890 
 
 RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE. 
 
 
 Average o 
 
 I 10 years. 
 
 i8i 
 
 *9- 
 
 i8( 
 
 JO. 
 
 18 
 
 ?i- 
 
 
 Rain, 
 in. 
 
 Temper- 
 ature. 
 
 Rain, 
 in. 
 
 Temper- 
 ature. 
 
 Rain, 
 in. 
 
 Temper- 
 ature. 
 
 Rain, 
 in. 
 
 Temper- 
 ature 
 
 April . . . 
 May .... 
 June . . . 
 
 3-19 
 4 45 
 5-04 
 
 52.4 
 64.6 
 7i 
 
 0.61 
 5-52 
 6.81 
 
 52 
 
 59-3 
 65-5 
 
 4.11 
 3.56 
 3-8 
 
 52-3 
 58.3 
 74.6 
 
 3-54 
 
 0.89 
 2.08 
 
 52.8 
 58.4 
 72 
 
 
 12.68 
 
 
 12.94 
 
 
 11.47 
 
 
 6.51 
 
 
34 BULLETIN NO. 19. [February, 
 
 and as the average for ten years, except in May, in which it was 6.2 
 degrees cooler. 
 
 In all cases, except in testing the effect of depth of covering, the oats 
 were sown broadcast by hand. 
 
 The largest yield of grain was from sowing 3.5 bu. per acre, 
 with little variation between the plats sown at rate of 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4 
 bu. per acre. The average yield for four years was slightly larger 
 when 3.5 bu. were sown, with comparatively little difference whether 
 2 2.5, 3, 3.5 or 4 bu. were sown. For the four years' sowings, one 
 or one and one-half bu. gave smaller average yields than any of the 
 heavier seedings. The weight of the grain per bushel was less in the 
 case of the light seeding. The yield of straw increased with the increase 
 in rate of seeding. For the two preceding years the lightest seeding 
 gave the largest yield of straw. For the four years there was compara- 
 tively little difference in the yield of straw. 
 
 The results of the trials of different depths of planting were affected 
 by other causes, yet seemed to give best returns from covering two 
 inches deep, but without great variation from covering one to four inches 
 deep. In trials for four years the best results have not come from cover- 
 ing the same depth in any two years. 
 
 In tests of 44 varieties on 55 plats the average yield per acre was 
 66.6 bu. of grain, weighing 33.5 Ib. per bushel and 2,840 Ib. of straw. 
 Four varieties gave more than 80 bu., and but one less than 50 bu. per 
 acre. Nineteen varieties on 21 plats gave an average yield of 74.7 bu., 
 with averaging weight of 34.12 Ib. per bushel. 
 
 In the seed sown there was an average of 71.7 per cent of kernel 
 in the berry, and of 70.3 per cent in the crop. The Virginia winter, 
 with the smallest yield and the lightest weight per bushel, had the largest 
 per cent of kernel in the crop. The smallest per cent of kernel in the 
 crop was 62.1 in a plat of welcome badly down; the other plats of wel- 
 come had a large percentage. Omitting these exceptional plats the great- 
 est difference in per cent of kernel in seed was 16; in the crop, 11.8. 
 
 The early maturing varieties stood first in average yield of both 
 grain and straw, weight per bushel, and size of kernels, but lowest in per 
 cent of kernel. In 1890 these varieties gave the most grain but the 
 least yield of straw and the lowest per cent of kernel. 
 
 The varieties with closed panicles gave a somewhat larger yield of 
 
 both grain and straw and a larger per cent of kernel than those with 
 
 open panicles. In 1890, there was little difference in yield. 
 
 The white varieties gave the largest average yield of grain and the 
 
 smallest per cent of kernel; the black stood second in both respects; the 
 
 few dun-colored stood lowest in yield and highest in per cent of kernel. 
 
 In 1889, the order was the same throughout. In 1890, the dun-colored 
 
 varieties stood first and the white last in yield. 
 
 No one variety has been shown to be greatly superior to all others. 
 
 A different variety stood first in yield in each of the three years. 
 
,8 9 2.] 
 
 FIELD EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS, l8ai. 
 
 35 
 
 Not counting an exceptionally late variety, there was a difference 
 of 24 days in date of cutting. Five varieties were cut July 6th and two 
 July 3oth. Of the 55 plats 28 were cut between July i6th and 2oth. 
 
 The trials for three years do not show that the yield is determined 
 either by the length, plumpness, or weight of the berry, or by the weight 
 per bushel of the grain. The varieties with long, slender, light berries, 
 and light weight per bushel, have had the largest per cent of kernel, 
 and hence, the highest food value. 
 
 Experiment No. 12. Oats, Quantity of Seed per Acre. 
 
 The land used for this experiment had been in corn for three years, 
 and was plowed and harrowed the day before the seeding. 
 
 April 1 6th 7 contiguous plats, each i x 16 rods, were sown broad- 
 cast with welcome oats, at the rate of from one to four bu. per acre, 
 and covered by harrowing twice with a slant-toothed harrow. 
 
 When harvested, plat i, which was sown at the rate of one bushel 
 per acre, was slightly green. Each succeeding plat became more ripe 
 to that of the thickest seeding, which was fully ripe and about 5 per 
 cent lodged. 
 
 The following table gives the yield per acre of both grain and 
 straw for each of the four years the experiment has been in progress; 
 also the averages of the four years. For particulars of former seasons 
 see bulletins No. 3, 7, and 12. 
 
 YIELD OF OATS FROM DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF SEED, 1888, '89, '90, '91. 
 
 Seed 
 per 
 a., bu. 
 
 Grain, per acre, bu. 
 
 Straw, per acre, Ib. 
 
 Lb. per bu. 
 
 1888. 
 
 1889. 
 
 1890. 
 
 1891. 
 
 Av. 
 
 1888. 
 
 1889. 
 
 1890. 
 
 iSgi. 
 
 Av. 
 
 1889. 
 
 1890. 
 
 1891. 
 
 i 
 i-5 
 
 2 
 2-5 
 
 3 
 3-5 
 4 
 
 52-5 
 59-4 
 61.4 
 63.8 
 61.9 
 625 
 60.6 
 
 36.3 
 33-i 
 42.5 
 43-8 
 47-2 
 52-1 
 50.6 
 
 25-3 
 
 21.6 
 
 17-5 
 29.1 
 
 27-5 
 
 24.7 
 
 21.9 
 
 36.7 
 
 56.9 
 
 74-8 
 72.6 
 76.6 
 79-7 
 7 6 -3 
 
 37-7 
 42.7 
 49".! 
 52-3 
 53-3 
 54-7 
 52.3 
 
 3820 
 4400 
 
 454 
 4860 
 5220 
 4400 
 4260 
 
 4600 
 3800 
 4000 
 3000 
 4400 
 4100 
 3200 
 
 2820 
 1740 
 1800 
 2460 
 1960 
 
 2000 
 2020 
 
 1275 
 1970 
 2748 
 2638 
 2790 
 3060 
 3110 
 
 3129 
 2978 
 3272 
 3240 
 3593 
 3390 
 3173 
 
 25.5 
 25 
 28 
 28 
 29 
 29-5 
 29 5 
 
 26 
 26.5 
 24 
 29 
 29 
 28 
 29 
 
 28.5 
 3i 
 3i-5 
 32 
 32-5 
 32 
 32 
 
 Experiment No. 75. Oats, Depth of Sowing. 
 
 April 8th 60 selected berries of welcome oats were sown in each of 
 twelve rows, ten feet long. The first two rows were covered one inch 
 deep, and each succeeding two rows one inch deeper, rows n and 12 
 being covered six inches deep. 
 
 June 1 6th the oats of rows i to 6 were looking fairly well; those 
 of rows 7 to 12, much smaller and of a yellow color. 
 
 The sparrows so interfered with the grain that the actual yield 
 could not be ascertained and only the number of panicles was counted 
 for each row. 
 
 The relative yield is calculated from the number of panicles, sup 
 posing the relation to be the same as in 1890. 
 
BULLETIN NO. 19. 
 
 [February, 
 
 NUMBER OF PANICLES AND RELATIVE YIELD OF OATS SOWN AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS 
 
 FOR FOUR YEARS. 
 
 Depth of 
 
 18 
 
 88. 
 
 18 
 
 3 9 . 
 
 18 
 
 90. 
 
 18 
 
 91. 
 
 sowing, in. 
 
 No. of 
 panicles. 
 
 Relative 
 yield. 
 
 No. of 
 panicles. 
 
 Relative 
 yield. 
 
 No. of 
 panicles. 
 
 Relative 
 yield. 
 
 No. of 
 panicles. 
 
 Relative 
 yield. 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 K 
 
 566 
 
 495 
 465 
 469 
 481 
 
 90 
 
 80 
 
 TOO 
 
 95 
 
 80 
 
 407 
 424 
 434 
 439 
 
 81 
 69 
 76 
 
 IOO 
 
 362 
 312 
 307 
 269 
 
 181 
 
 IOO 
 
 76 
 65 
 65 
 29 
 
 205 
 338 
 192 
 188 
 
 136 
 
 69 
 
 IOO 
 
 49 
 
 55 
 26 
 
 6 
 
 445 
 
 55 
 
 
 
 75 
 
 12 
 
 Qi 
 
 18 
 
 Experiment No 84. Oats, 7est of Varieties. 
 
 The same varieties, 44 in number, have been tested on 55 plats in 
 1891 as in 1890. The seed, which was from the crop of 1890, was some 
 mixed, notwithstanding the care taken to keep the varieties separate. 
 
 The land used in this experiment consists of three tracts. Tracts 
 (a) and (b), separated by a space of 20 feet, and containing plats i to 
 40, had been in corn for three years. Tract (c), which was 30 rods 
 northwest of (b), contained plats 41 to 52, and had been in corn in 1890 
 and in oats in 1889. The land was all fall-plowed without removing 
 the stalks. 
 
 April 8th plats i to 28 were disked lengthwise, sown broadcast 
 with oats at the rate of 2^ bu. per acre by weight, disked cross- 
 wise, seeded with clover, and harrowed lightly with a slant-toothed har- 
 row. April 1 3th plats 29 to 52 were sown, the treatment and quantity 
 of seed being the same as of the other plats. 
 
 DUPLICATE PLATS. 
 
 In order to determine the degree of inaccuracy incident to the ex- 
 periment, seven varieties were sown on duplicate plats, as shown in the 
 following table. The duplicates were so arranged as to give the maxi- 
 .mum variation likely to occur on the tracts used. 
 
 Leaving out of consideration plat 38, of welcome, which was nearly 
 all lodged, the average difference in yield of grain between two plats 
 of the same variety was 6.6 bu. per acre; the least difference, i bu., and 
 the greatest difference, 19.9 bu. 
 
 A yield of 6.6 bu. per acre by one variety above that of another 
 does not therefore necessarily indicate that, for this season, the one 
 is superior to the other. The varieties giving the largest yield, and also 
 those yielding the least, were widely distributed over the tracts used. 
 
 The average difference in the weight of a bushel of oats from plats 
 of the same variety was about 6-7 lb.; the greatest difference, \y 2 Ib. 
 There seems to be no relation between the yield of oats and the weight 
 per bushel, the size of berries, or the per cent, of kernel. 
 
FIELD EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS, 1891. 
 
 37 
 
 YIELD OF DUPLICATE PLATS IN 1891. 
 
 
 Yield p 
 
 er acre. 
 
 Lb. 
 
 Lb. 
 
 
 No. 
 
 Wt. 100 
 
 Percent. 
 
 Name of variety. 
 
 Grain, 
 bu. 
 
 Straw, 
 Ib. 
 
 for each 
 Ib. grain. 
 
 r 
 
 in. 
 
 per 
 sq. ft. 
 
 berries, 
 grams. 
 
 in 
 berries. 
 
 Welcome . ... 
 
 75 
 
 2840 
 
 1.18 
 
 33.5 
 
 41 
 
 37 
 
 2 56 
 
 70.4 
 
 
 72.5 
 
 3240 
 
 i .4 
 
 34.25 
 
 42 
 
 45 
 
 2.48 
 
 71 .7 
 
 ,i 
 
 52 1 
 
 2705 
 
 .62 
 
 QC 25 
 
 
 3O 
 
 2 51 
 
 62 I 
 
 ,. 
 
 73 7 
 
 35OO 
 
 .48 
 
 32.75 
 
 41 
 
 34 
 
 2 63 
 
 68 2 
 
 Texas red 
 
 63 4 
 
 2IIO 
 
 .04 
 
 33 
 
 37 
 
 39 
 
 2.62 
 
 74.7 
 
 
 56 6 
 
 27 CO 
 
 C2 
 
 24 c 
 
 
 
 
 
 .1 
 
 58 7 
 
 244.O 
 
 7 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 
 
 ., 
 
 64 4 
 
 2^8o 
 
 25 
 
 33 . 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pringle's progress. . 
 Early Dakota 
 
 83.4 
 74-7 
 56.6 
 
 2850 
 2450 
 247O 
 
 .07 
 
 03 
 .36 
 
 28 
 27.75 
 30.75 
 
 38 
 33 
 38 
 
 38 
 32 
 46 
 
 2.34 
 2.65 
 2.03 
 
 67.9 
 64.5 
 73-4 
 
 
 70 8 
 
 280^ 
 
 28 
 
 31 25 
 
 aq 
 
 32 
 
 2.15 
 
 74 5 
 
 New red rust proof. 
 Canadian black. . . . 
 Black Russian 
 
 61.9 
 67.4 
 
 52.3 
 59-2 
 80.8 
 
 2040 
 
 2425 
 3005 
 
 2925 
 
 3495 
 
 .03 
 .13 
 
 79 
 54 
 35 
 
 31 
 31-75 
 32 
 
 30.75 
 31 .75 
 
 35 
 35 
 40 
 38 
 4 2 
 
 CO N W> CO f 
 
 5 CO CO CO ^ ^ 
 
 2.7 
 
 2.86 
 
 2.33 
 
 2.28 
 
 2.22 
 
 74-3 
 72.5 
 73 
 76-3 
 71.4 
 
 
 60.9 
 
 2010 
 
 03 
 
 30-75 
 
 35 
 
 29 
 
 2-37 
 
 71-4 
 
 SYNOPSIS OF VARIETIES. 
 
 The same scheme is used in the table, on page 38, as in bulletin 
 No. 12, for the crop of 1890, and, with the following exceptions, the 
 classification is the same: 
 
 The varieties, Texas rust proof, Texas red, and new red rust proof, 
 have been changed from the early-matiiring to the medium, the last 
 coming also in the late. The variety welcome comes in both the early 
 and the medium. Canada white and Swedish have been changed from 
 the open panicled to the closed; prolific side, common mixed, white 
 Russian, improved white Russian, and black Highlander from the closed 
 to the open; prolific side from berry long to short and Swedish from 
 short to long. 
 
 The early-maturing varieties are those harvested July 6th to I4th; 
 the medium, July i6th to 2oth, and the late, July 24th to 3oth, excepting 
 Virginia winter, which was harvested Aug. 7th, and, being a winter 
 variety, may be left out of the account. 
 
 YIELD. 
 
 The yield of grain was unusually large, being for the 55 plats an 
 average of 66.6 bu. per acre, and the yield of straw was 2,840 Ib. per 
 acre. In 1889 and 1890, respectively, the average yield of grain per 
 acre was 41.2 and 35.2 bu. and of straw, 2,394 arid 3,063 Ib. For de- 
 tails, see tables on pp. 39-41. 
 
 QUALITY. 
 
 The average per cent of kernel in the berries of the seed was 71.7; 
 of the crop, 70.3, which was a decrease of 1.4 per cent. 
 
BULLETIN NO. 19. 
 
 [February, 
 
 SYNOPSIS OF VARIETIES. 
 
 Yield, bu. 
 
 
 
 Berry long. . 
 
 Early Dakota 
 Pringle's progress ... . 
 
 'White Swede 
 Early Lackawanna . 
 
 .63-7 
 79 
 
 -72.31 
 .66.2 
 
 - 7I3 
 
 
 
 r Panicle open. . j White ^ 
 
 White bonanza 
 Second premium 
 Welcome 
 
 70-3 
 .72 
 .74 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 White Victoria 
 Clydesdale 
 
 .66.6 
 
 73 i 
 
 
 
 
 [ Berry short. 
 
 Hopetown 
 
 67 7 
 
 r 6g 8 
 
 
 >, 
 
 
 White wonder 
 
 .58.7 
 
 
 
 rt ^ 
 
 
 Prize cluster 
 
 7- 5 
 
 
 
 W 
 
 
 Badger queen 
 
 70 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 White Belgian .... 
 
 70 Q 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hargett's white . . . 
 
 61.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 Centennial 
 
 .62.3 
 
 
 
 
 Panicle closed -\ ^Vhite -\ Berry short 
 
 Canada white 
 
 6^ Q 
 
 
 
 
 
 ' White schonen 
 
 .67.2 ' 
 
 | 
 
 
 
 
 American banner 
 
 -73 i 
 
 70 i 
 
 
 
 f White -^ 
 
 ' American triumph 
 r Welcome 
 
 .69.7 
 
 .62. 4' 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Prolific side 
 
 56 7 
 
 
 
 
 k Berry short . 
 
 Wide awake 
 
 58 3 
 
 03.2 
 
 
 
 -Panicle open. . j 
 Black. <J Berry long. . < 
 
 Improved American . . . 
 Black Tartarian 
 
 75-2 
 .58.3 
 
 
 
 
 
 ( Texas rust proof 
 
 72 2 
 
 
 rJ 
 
 
 ^Dun. . j Berry long. . - 
 
 Texas red 
 
 .60.8 
 " 
 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 1' 
 
 f Berry long 
 
 New red rust proof . . . 
 f Swedish 
 
 .6l .9 
 
 .6s 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 i Japan 
 
 75-8~ 
 
 
 
 
 White 4 
 
 Baltic white 
 
 67 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 Probstier 
 
 6s 
 
 68 
 
 
 
 [ Berry short 
 
 i Egyptian 
 
 64 i 
 
 
 
 
 . Panicle closed. - 
 
 f Black Russian 
 
 70 8^ 
 
 
 
 
 Black { Berry long. . 
 
 j New Dakota gray 
 ^ Black prolific 
 
 85 
 .68.7 
 
 72.7 
 
 
 
 
 ^ Prince Edward' s Island 
 ( Common mixed . . . 
 
 .66.2 
 
 67 2 
 
 
 
 
 f White { Berry long 
 
 \ White Russian 
 
 .76.4 
 
 (74.6 
 
 
 j' 
 
 Panicle open.. Black .; Berry long 
 
 i 
 
 ( Imp. white Russian . . . 
 
 { Canadian black 
 '( Black Highlander 
 
 ( Virginia winter 
 
 .80.3 
 
 55.8 
 65.9 
 
 IS 9 
 
 -60.9 
 
 
 
 ^Dun. . \ Berry long. . 
 
 1 New red rust proof. . . . 
 
 .67.4 
 
 \ 
 
 I Panicle closed. <{ White ! Berry long. . 
 
 ^? ld f n ^ ant * de - V ' ' ' 
 Giant yellow French . . . 
 
 2 \ 
 
 68.6 
 
 Omitting the variety Virginian winter, Canadian black has the largest 
 per cent of kernel in both seed and crop; and, omitting plat 38 of wel- 
 come, which was badly down, Clydesdale has the lowest per cent of 
 
1892.] 
 
 FIELD EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS, 189!. 
 
 39 
 
 COMPARATIVE YIELD OF VARIETIES OF OATS 1891. 
 
 Plat 
 No. 
 
 Name of variety. 
 
 Comparative yield. 
 
 23 
 5 
 
 21 
 46 
 
 45 
 27 
 33 
 3i 
 52 
 47 
 35 
 13 
 
 22 
 
 6 
 
 I 
 
 10 
 
 18 
 5 
 17 
 16 
 
 9 
 36 
 43 
 24 
 42 
 
 14 
 5 1 
 44 
 34 
 
 28 
 
 12 
 25 
 
 7 
 4i 
 29 
 3i 
 30 
 8 
 
 20 
 
 3 
 
 19 
 
 49 
 
 '48* 
 
 15 
 37 
 32 
 26 
 
 4 
 39 
 40 
 
 New Dakota gray .... 
 Pringle's progress 
 Black Russian 
 
 85 
 
 83-4 
 80.8 
 
 80.3 
 76.4 
 75-8 
 75-2 
 75 
 74-7 
 73-7 
 73-4 
 73 - 1 
 72.5 
 72.3 
 72.2 
 72 
 70.9 
 70.8 
 70.6 
 70.5 
 70-3 
 69.7 
 69.2 
 68.7 
 68 
 67.7 
 67.4 
 67.2 
 67.2 
 67.2 
 66.6 
 66.2 
 66.2 
 
 65^9 
 65 
 65 
 64.1 
 
 63-9 
 62.3 
 61.9 
 61.1 
 60.9 
 60.8 
 59-2 
 58.7 
 58.3 
 58.3 
 56.7 
 56.6 
 52-3 
 1.5. <3 
 
 
 
 
 Imp. white Russian. . . 
 White Russian 
 Japan 
 
 
 
 
 Improved American.. 
 Welcome 
 
 
 
 Pringle's progress 
 Welcome 
 
 
 
 American banner 
 
 
 Clydesdale 
 
 
 Welcome 
 
 
 White Swede 
 Texas rust proof 
 
 
 
 Second premium 
 White Belgian 
 
 
 
 Harly Dakota 
 
 
 Badger queen 
 
 
 Prize cluster 
 
 
 \Vhite bonanza 
 
 
 American triumph .... 
 Giant yellow French . . 
 Black prolific 
 
 
 
 
 Golden giant side 
 Hopetown 
 
 
 
 New red rust proof. . . 
 Common mixed 
 
 
 
 White schonen 
 
 
 Baltic white 
 
 
 White Victoria 
 
 
 Prince Edward's Is. . . 
 Early Lackawana 
 Black Highlander 
 Probsteir 
 
 
 
 
 
 Swedish 
 
 
 EervDtian 
 
 
 Canada white 
 
 
 Centennial 
 
 
 New red rust proof. . . 
 Hargett's white 
 
 
 
 Black Russian 
 
 
 Texas red (Av. 4 plats) 
 Canadian black 
 
 
 
 
 \Vhite wonder 
 
 
 Black Tartarian 
 
 
 Wide awake 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Canadian black 
 
 
 [Virginia winter 
 
 -_ 
 
 kernel in the seed, and Pringle's progress the lowest in the crop. The 
 greatest difference in the seed of two varieties is 16 per cent; in the 
 crop, 1 1. 8 per cent. 
 
4 o 
 
 BULLETIN NO. 19. 
 
 [February, 
 
 g I 
 i s 
 
 S o 
 
 &* 
 
 b 
 
 o < 
 
 a & 
 
 O Ot^O O ' O \S.^ O 
 
 No. of stubs on 
 i sq. ft. 
 
 I s * r-^vo POO 
 
 M inronr^ 
 
 J-. 
 
 fc 8 
 
 .j be 
 
 In crop. 
 
 i ^f ^t- N oo i^oo in M ^- ro 
 
 ro t^vO oo o ^O t^- O ^ O^oo t^- t^oo O in o^ M M 
 vo t^ t^*vO O ^O vO vO O O ^O r^ t^ v 
 
 In seed. 
 
 In crop. 
 
 In seed. 
 
 Ripe and cut 
 July. 
 
 Height, inches. 
 
 Lb. per bu. 
 
 Lb. straw for 
 each Ib. grain. 
 
 ^ o\oo vo t~ vo M ro t^-co 
 
 N m ^- m 
 
 m rj- t-^oo 
 
 1010 into 
 
 101010 u->ioin>o 
 
 t-- T)- roo r^ a> M 
 
 O\ O O fO O m ^ 
 
 Yield per acre 
 
 Straw, Ib. 
 
 Grain, bu. 
 
 OOOOQinOinOinoooinoinoO'nininOO 
 mi-i Tt-t^vn<Noo t^mM TJ-M o M N NOO t>-oo M a> -^-vo 
 
 NnO-^-OON^<NCiOOOOOO 
 
 tt-5 g 
 
 Kiiii 
 
 ^^w^WU^c/5^^Uffi^Pu^ffiUM>Z 
 
 No. of plat. | 
 
 ro^invO t^OO 
 
 JXOO CTiO i-. N ro 
 
1892.] 
 
 FIELD EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS, 189!. 
 
 4 1 
 
 _rt as J^ jti as a3_rt rt_rt_rt j^rS ,3 g ^ g 
 
 '''' 
 
 ro ro ro <*- CM fO ro ro 
 
 1$ 
 
 moo oo 
 
 O> O> M M O 00 
 vO O C^ t^ C^VO 
 
 m t-^oo ro m TJ-OO TJ- H H ro ro <^ ^roo oo VQ vo 
 
 CM ro M mrom^-M -3-00 
 
 O OvOOvOvOOvOOvOvOvOvO Ovo 
 
 ro O ro rt-oo O 
 
 "tf- "fr- ^ 1- <* 
 
 ro ro ro ro ro 
 
 OOmmOOOO 
 : CM oo O rom-<j-a\cM 
 m CM vo <* 
 
 Ommomoomommoooo 
 Tt-in-^-CM o M inc^iOoo Tfrj-t-^Tfin 
 
 t-> CM t-xOO CM M 
 
 oovovo 
 O O n 
 
 OiOO ^l-t>.VO 
 
 vo vo m t^vo 
 
 CM N mmoo a> t>.vo O ro 
 mmiOMvovovovo t^oo t>- mv 
 
 ^ '.'...'.'. 
 
 G 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 :* : 
 
 " IH 
 
 B 
 
 OH 
 
 6 a 
 
 
 (i) 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 8 : ' 
 
 a . ai 
 
 f "rt t/3 
 
 : : :S 
 
 
 
 j ' g ] \ 
 
 aiSS 
 
 -^^9 
 
 d 
 I 
 
 
 *0 OJ 
 
 3-S 
 
 d 
 
 N 
 
 2 
 
 "c 
 
 ct 
 
 fe C 3 
 x cfl n^ 
 
 I'll. 
 
 "1 fl ' rt ^ 
 S '55 "o 3 
 
 en ^ ui 
 
 2 ! 
 
 a. 
 
 j : 
 
 T3 T3 
 . w .D ?3 
 
 i 
 
 rt 
 <u ^ 
 
 V-. 4) 
 
 ro-Ororororororororo 
 
4 2 
 
 BULLETIN NO. 
 
 [.Ft bruary, 
 
 From the table of varieties classified, below, it will be seen that the 
 early-maturing varieties are superior to either the medium or late in the 
 average yield of both grain and straw, the weight per bushel and size of 
 berries; but are inferior to either of these in per cent of kernel. As to 
 berries short plump, and long slender, there is very little difference in 
 yield, a noticeable difference in weight per bushel in favor of the short 
 plump, and a difference of 2.1 per cent in kernel in favor of the long 
 slender. 
 
 As to berries, white, black, or dun-colored, the white gave the 
 largest yield of grain and the smallest per cent of kernel; the dun- 
 colored gave the smallest yield and the largest per cent of kernel. 
 
 As to panicles open or closed, the latter is superior in yield of both 
 grain and straw and also in per cent of kernel. 
 
 As to weight per bushel, those which weigh less than 32 pounds are 
 superior in both yield and per cent of kernel. Nothwithstanding the 
 common belief to the contrary, those oats which weigh least to the 
 bushel have usually the highest per cent of kernel, and, consequently, 
 the highest food value. Take, for a striking example, the variety Vir- 
 ginia winter. This season it was least in yield of grain, 15.9 bu., and in 
 weight per bushel, 22*^ Ib., but highest in per cent of kernel, 78.8. 
 
 YIELD, WEIGHT, PER CENT. OF KERNEL IN VARIETIES AS CLASSIFIED, 1891. 
 
 Classification. 
 
 2 
 p 
 
 a 
 
 u 
 P 
 
 w 
 
 Yield per 
 acre. 
 
 Lb. straw for each 
 Ib. grain. ...*.. 
 
 r 
 
 cr 
 
 K 
 
 cr 
 
 o 
 
 No.stubsonisq.ft 
 
 ffi 
 
 2. 
 CQ' 
 cr 
 
 Wt. of 100 
 berries in 
 grams. 
 
 Percent, of 
 kernel in 
 berries. 
 
 crO 
 
 82. 
 
 - B 
 
 r 
 
 a % 
 
 11 
 
 d." 
 
 0) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 i 
 
 o 
 
 d 
 
 
 
 3 
 9 
 
 Maturing early 
 
 20 
 25 
 
 9 
 25 
 29 
 38 
 9 
 7 
 4 1 
 i3 
 38 
 16 
 
 33 
 
 21 
 
 35 
 19 
 30 
 24 
 
 69 
 
 66.4 
 67-3 
 67.3 
 67.7 
 68.5 
 66.4 
 63.5 
 67 
 69.2 
 67.2 
 68.2 
 
 67.8 
 
 67.1 
 67-3 
 67.9 
 66.4 
 68.8 
 
 2919 
 2844 
 2699 
 2964 
 2914 
 2862 
 
 3155 
 2371 
 2769 
 3094 
 2874 
 2784 
 
 2794 
 
 2931 
 
 2787 
 2959 
 
 2976 
 
 2741 
 
 1-33 
 34 
 27 
 .38 
 .28 
 
 3i 
 49 
 .18 
 30 
 39 
 34 
 
 .20 
 .29 
 
 .38 
 .30 
 .36 
 30 
 .36 
 
 35-4 
 33-6 
 30.7 
 36.5 
 3i.4 
 34-5 
 31.2 
 32.8 
 33-8 
 33-7 
 35-3 
 30 
 
 34.26 
 
 32.98 
 32.49 
 36.09 
 33-2 
 34-4 
 
 36 
 36 
 35 
 35 
 36 
 35 
 37 
 36 
 36 
 34 
 35 
 36 
 
 35 
 
 36 
 35 
 36 
 36 
 35 
 
 43 
 4 1 
 34 
 44.1 
 
 38.5 
 42 
 40 
 36 
 4 1 
 4 1 
 43 
 38 
 
 4i 
 
 4 1 
 39 
 43 
 40 
 
 42 
 
 2.28 
 2.29 
 2. 4 
 2.32 
 2-33 
 
 2.34 
 
 2.12 
 
 2.66 
 2.31 
 2.35 
 2-34 
 2.29 
 
 2.48 
 
 2. II 
 2.36 
 2.26 
 
 2-37 
 2.28 
 
 2.60 
 
 2.46 
 
 2.59 
 
 2.62 
 
 2.31 
 2.57 
 
 2.33 
 2.70 
 2.63 
 
 2-47 
 2.60 
 2.41 
 
 2-57 
 
 2.48 
 2-49 
 2.63 
 2.49 
 2-59 
 
 68.2 
 
 72.5 
 76.9 
 68.7 
 
 74-4 
 70.6 
 
 74-5 
 74-4 
 71.2 
 
 73.3 
 70.5 
 74.i 
 
 7i.8 
 
 71-3 
 74.2 
 
 67.3 
 73-6 
 69-4 
 
 68.7 
 71.1 
 70.8 
 69 
 
 71 i 
 69.6 
 70.6 
 74-2 
 69.9 
 70.6 
 69.9 
 70.6 
 
 72.6 
 
 69.5 
 71.2 
 68.2 
 72.4 
 67.5 
 
 Maturing medium 
 
 Maturing late . ... 
 
 Berries, short plump 
 
 Berries, long slender 
 
 Berries white 
 
 Berries, black 
 
 Berries, dun-colored 
 Panicles, open 
 
 Panicles, closed 
 
 Wt. per bu., 32 Ib. or more. . 
 Wt. per Ib., less than 32 Ib. . . 
 Wt. of seed per 100 berries, 
 2 . 25 grams or more 
 
 Wt. of seed per 100 berries, 
 less than 2 . 25 grams 
 
 Kernel in seed, 70$ or more. . 
 Kernel in seed, less than 70$. 
 Kernel in crop, 70^ or more . . 
 Kernel in crop, less than 70$. 
 
 Thirty varieties have been tested for three years and 14 additional 
 ones for two years. 
 
1892.] 
 
 FIELD EXPERIMENTS WITH OATS, 189!. 
 
 43 
 
 The table gives the yield of both grain and straw for each year, 
 also the rank according to yield of grain of the 30 varieties for each of 
 three years and of the 14 for each of two years. The average yield of 
 
 YIELD OF STRAW AND OF GRAIN OF THIRTY VARIETIES FOR THREE YEARS, AND OF 
 
 FOURTEEN VARIETIES FOR TWO YEARS. 
 
 Name of Variety. 
 
 Straw per acre, Ib. 
 
 Grain per acre, bu. 
 
 1889. 
 
 1890. 
 
 1891. 
 
 Av. 
 
 i! 
 
 W 
 
 g 
 
 tr 
 
 20 
 17 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 30 
 
 I 
 6 
 
 M 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 ii 
 
 7 
 18 
 
 12 
 10 
 23 
 
 5 
 15 
 13 
 24 
 19 
 16 
 28 
 25 
 
 22 
 21 
 9 
 26 
 
 29 
 27 
 
 58 9 . 
 
 il 
 
 X 
 
 V 
 
 
 ?r 
 
 5 9 o. 
 W 
 
 it 
 
 PO 
 
 V 
 
 o 
 ?r 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 23 
 
 8 
 15 
 13 
 10 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 12 
 26 
 II 
 17 
 
 3 
 
 21 
 
 18 
 18 
 
 22 
 
 16 
 
 20 
 26 
 
 9 
 *4 
 24 
 25 
 27 
 29 
 28 
 30 
 
 3 
 13 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 5 
 10 
 
 4 
 
 12 
 
 8 
 6 
 
 9 
 ii 
 
 14 
 
 ! 9 i- 
 
 w 
 
 c 
 
 Av. 
 
 W 
 
 o 
 
 jo Varieties tested 3 years. 
 Pringle's progress 
 
 1700 
 
 220O 
 32OO 
 2700 
 I60O 
 2800 
 2OOO 
 2400 
 2200 
 2500 
 2400 
 23OO 
 20OO 
 2350 
 2500 
 2000 
 2500 
 3OOO 
 2300 
 2200 
 2500 
 2IOO 
 23OO 
 27OO 
 2400 
 2400 
 220O 
 29OO 
 2800 
 2800 
 
 2580 
 3980 
 2840 
 3 660 
 3320 
 3300 
 2560 
 3820 
 2960 
 2660 
 3200 
 2740 
 I30O 
 
 3213 
 3220 
 2640 
 3740 
 3360 
 3320 
 3800 
 3260 
 2540 
 3120 
 3020 
 2640 
 2700 
 2720 
 4180 
 3960 
 3000 
 
 3200 
 2760 
 3780 
 22OO 
 3010 
 3670 
 4000 
 3350 
 2550 
 3080 
 2580 
 2580 
 3320 
 3790 
 
 2650 
 3760 
 2682 
 
 3435 
 2250 
 
 2445 
 2950 
 
 2752 
 3000 
 
 2775 
 3025 
 2430 
 3080 
 3071 
 3055 
 2232 
 2270 
 
 2715 
 2590 
 4520 
 2440 
 2320 
 3270 
 3050 
 3125 
 2685 
 2375 
 2965 
 2915 
 2410 
 
 2815 
 2470 
 3170 
 3225 
 2910 
 
 4 I 5 
 2490 
 
 2505 
 3275 
 2980 
 2770 
 3280 
 2320 
 2665 
 
 2310 
 
 3313 
 2907 
 3265 
 2390 
 2848 
 
 2503 
 2991 
 2720 
 2645 
 2875 
 2490 
 2127 
 2878 
 
 2925 
 2291 
 
 2837 
 3025 
 
 2737 
 3507 
 2750 
 2320 
 2897 
 2923 
 2722 
 2595 
 2432 
 3348 
 3235 
 2737 
 
 3007 
 2615 
 
 3475 
 2712 
 2960 
 396o 
 
 3245 
 2927 
 2912 
 3030 
 2675 
 2930 
 2820 
 3227 
 
 40 
 41.3 
 51-3 
 47.5 
 30 
 
 53-8 
 46.3 
 42.5 
 44.1 
 
 50.3 
 42.8 
 
 46.3 
 40.6 
 42.6 
 43.4 
 36.9 
 47.2 
 42.1 
 42.5 
 36.9 
 4 
 42.1 
 
 31-9 
 35-6 
 36.9 
 37-2 
 43-8 
 33-8 
 30.6 
 32.2 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 i 
 17 
 
 10 
 
 5 
 
 22 
 
 29 
 II 
 
 25 
 
 9 
 
 8 
 a8 
 
 4 
 
 12 
 
 J 4 
 13 
 15 
 
 16 
 
 21 
 27 
 23 
 
 18 
 26 
 19 
 
 20 
 30 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 
 14 
 12 
 
 3 
 6 
 
 8 
 4 
 9 
 ii 
 
 10 
 
 13 
 
 7 
 
 48.1 
 
 39-4 
 
 48.8 
 
 40.3 
 55.9 
 34-4 
 37-5 
 40.6 
 33.8 
 25-5 
 37-2 
 30.6 
 37 8 
 38 
 26 6 
 
 45 
 31-9 
 35-9 
 35-9 
 35-9 
 35-6 
 35-6 
 33-8 
 27.8 
 33-4 
 34.4 
 28.6 
 
 34-4 
 33.8 
 
 20 
 
 41 
 49-7 
 26.5 
 3I.I 
 36.9 
 35-3 
 36.3 
 
 33-2 
 36.4 
 32.8 
 
 3L9 
 32 
 3-9 
 35-3 
 
 79 
 8 5 
 63-7 
 75.8 
 72.2 
 69.2 
 
 70.3 
 70.8 
 
 73-1 
 75.2 
 70.5 
 73-4 
 70.6 
 68.4 
 
 76.4 
 64.6 
 67.2 
 67.7 
 64.1 
 68.7 
 65 
 58.7 
 70.9 
 
 69.7 
 62.3 
 61.1 
 58.3 
 55-7 
 58.3 
 15-9 
 
 72 
 60.8 
 80.3 
 
 72.3 
 66.6 
 67.2 
 
 65.9 
 68 
 
 63.9 
 66.2 
 67.2 
 66.2 
 65 
 56.7 
 
 55-7 
 55-2 
 54-6 
 54-5 
 52.7 
 52.5 
 51-4 
 51-3 
 50.3 
 50.3 
 50.2 
 50.1 
 49-7 
 49-7 
 48.8 
 48.8 
 48.8 
 48.6 
 47-5 
 47-2 
 46.9 
 45-5 
 45-5 
 44-4 
 44-2 
 44-2 
 43-6 
 41-3 
 40.9 
 22.7 
 
 56-5 
 55 2 
 53 
 5i 7 
 51-7 
 51-2 
 51.1 
 50.6 
 50.1 
 49-5 
 49-5 
 49.1 
 48 
 46 
 
 New Dakota gray 
 
 Early Dakota 
 
 Japan 
 
 Texas rust proof 
 
 Giant yellow French 
 
 White bonanza 
 
 Black Russian 
 
 Clydesdale 
 
 Improved American 
 
 Prize cluster 
 
 American banner 
 
 Badger queen 
 
 "\Velcome 
 
 White Russian 
 
 New red rust proof 
 
 Common mixed 
 
 Hopetown 
 
 Egyptian 
 
 Black prolific 
 
 Probstier . ... 
 
 White wonder 
 
 White Belgian 
 
 American triumph 
 
 Centennial 
 
 Hargett's white 
 
 Wide awake . 
 
 Canadian black 
 
 Black Tartarian 
 
 Virginia winter 
 
 14. Varieties tested 2 years . 
 Second premium white. . . 
 
 Texas red 
 
 
 
 
 Improved W Russian 
 
 
 
 
 White Swede 
 
 
 
 
 White Victoria 
 
 
 
 
 Baltic white 
 
 
 
 
 Black Highlander 
 
 
 
 
 Golden giant side 
 
 
 
 
 Canada white 
 
 
 
 
 Early Lackawana 
 
 
 
 
 White schonen 
 
 
 
 
 Prince Edward's Island 
 
 
 
 
 Swedish 
 
 
 
 
 Prolific side 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
44 
 
 BULLETIN NO. 
 
 February, 
 
 both grain and straw is given for the two or three years, as the case may 
 be, and the varieties of each class are arranged in order of yield of grain, 
 beginning with the highest. 
 
 To show that no one variety is unquestionably better than all others 
 (such extravagant claims are not unfrequently made by seedsmen), see 
 the following table, giving the yield and comparative rank of seven 
 varieties out of 30 for each of the three years, during which this experi- 
 ment has been conducted. It will be seen that a variety which holds a 
 high rank one year may fall to a very low one in the years following, 
 or vice versa. 
 
 For example, in 1889, Texas rust proof stood at the very foot of 
 the 30 varieties, and in 1890 ranked as the first of 44 varieties, while for 
 this season it ranks as 
 
 VARIATIONS IN RANK AS TO YIELD OF SEVEN VARIETIES IN TH R EE YEARS. 
 
 Name of variety. 
 
 1889. 
 
 1890. 
 
 1891. 
 
 Bu. oats. 
 
 Rank. 
 
 Bu. oats. 
 
 Rank. 
 
 Bu. oats. 
 
 Rank. 
 
 New Dakota gray . 
 
 4i.3 
 40 
 
 51.3 
 53-8 
 42.6 
 30 
 50.3 
 
 17 
 
 20 
 2 
 
 I 
 12 
 30 
 
 3 
 
 39-4 
 
 48.1 
 48.8 
 34-4 
 38 
 55-9 
 25-5 
 
 7 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 J 7 
 8 
 i 
 29 
 
 85 
 79 
 63.7 
 69.2 
 68.4 
 72.2 
 75-2 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 23 
 
 15 
 17 
 
 8 
 5 
 
 Pringle's progress 
 
 Early Dakota 
 
 Giant yellow French 
 
 Welcome 
 
 Texas rust proof 
 
 Improved American 
 
 G. E. MORROW, A.M., Agriculturist. 
 
 F. D. GARDNER, B.S., Assistant- Agriculturist. 
 
 THE CHINCH BUG IN ILLINOIS, 1891-1892. 
 
 The almost uniformly high temperature of the spring and summer 
 of 1890 and 1891 in northern and in southern central Illinois, combined 
 with light rainfall, amounting in some counties to little less than contin- 
 uous drouth, favored unusually the development of the chinch bug in 
 these sections; and, if similar conditions should prevail for another season, 
 serious loss can hardly fail to ensue, especially in the northern part of the 
 state. 
 
 South of central Illinois, the region threatened is a belt of counties 
 extending from about the line of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad 
 northward to the latitude of Springfield, and local injury is possible for 
 some distance north of this. To the north, the infested district is a 
 roughly triangular area in the northeastern corner of the state, of which 
 Stephenson County marks the western angle and Kankakee County the 
 southern. The distribution of injury within these limits is, of course, 
 extremely variable, as is shown by the following examples of field notes 
 and correspondence; first for southern Illinois, and then for the northern 
 part of the State. 
 
1892.] THE CHINCH BUG IN ILLINOIS, 1891-92. 45 
 
 WASHINGTON. Nashville, July 8. "Very destructive tocorn in places." Dec. 7. 
 Bugs generally diffused in limited numbers. Ashley, Dec. 7. Bugs generally diffused. 
 Injury to wheat slight; corn more hurt. 
 
 CLINTON. Carlyle, April 8 and 9. Hibernating in rail fences, corn shocks, etc. 
 Second year here. Corn and wheat suffered some in 1890. Dec. n. A few bugs. 
 No harm done. 
 
 MARION. Vernon, July i. "Leaving wheat for corn. Threaten injury." Salem, 
 Dec. 9. A few bugs in corn. Odin, Sept. 27. In large quantities in one field of corn. 
 Dec. 10. Locally abundant. 
 
 BOND. Greenville, June 27. "Corn alive with them." Dec. 3. Reported present 
 in limited numbers last season. Effects seen mostly in corn; some wheat light weight. 
 Smithboro, July 10. "Destroying corn." Dec. 4. Report similar to that at Greenville 
 Chief injury to corn. 
 
 MONTGOMERY. Litchfield, May 27. Found bugs in most wheat fields along the 
 road for four miles south of town. Wheat damaged most on corn ground and in the 
 vicinity of places where corn shocks had stood over winter. Eggs abundant; a few 
 young bugs. June 2. Few eggs seen; young bugs very numerous. From ten to fit- 
 teen per cent, of wheat in vicinity where corn shocks stood is ruined. July 18. 
 Chinch bugs very abundant in and near woodlands on gray soil. Scarce on black 
 lands north of them. Several rows of corn killed in many fields adjoining small 
 grains. Scattered traces of insect disease, but not sufficient to promise any important 
 aid. Sept. 23. Bugs collected in corn fields. Every field entered contained bugs 
 enough to excite apprehension for next year. 
 
 SHELBY. Herrick, Aug. 24. Second brood of chinch bugs will seriously dam- 
 age corn; many stalks completely covered. Shelbyville, Nov. 16. Bugs present in 
 considerable numbers. Injuries mostly confined to corn. 
 
 CHRISTIAN. Morrisonville, July 4. " Leaving wheat for corn. Threaten great 
 damage." Taylormlle, Nov. 17. General diffusion of bugs reported. Some wheat 
 reduced to light weight; corn next wheat fields injured. 
 
 MACON. Blue Mound, May 25. Corn and wheat infested by chinch bugs. June 
 27. Bugs of all ages, mostly young, present. A quart can nearly full of them sent to 
 the office. 
 
 In addition to the above list, a general diffusion of chinch bugs is 
 also reported, with little or no injury, from the counties of Brown, 
 Champaign, Coles, Macon, Sangamon, Effingham, Macoupin, St. Clair, 
 Jefferson, Wayne, Clark, Lawrence, Edwards, White, Hamilton, Ran- 
 dolph, Pope, and Johnson. 
 
 St. Clair, Washington, Clinton and Montgomery counties reported 
 the bugs as being present in small numbers in 1890 also. A noticeable 
 feature of the injury to wheat in this part of the state is that it suf- 
 fered greater damage in the immediate vicinity of corn shocks, where 
 the shocks were permitted to remain over winter. - 
 
 In northern Illinois the prospect is more serious. Trips of investi- 
 gation made late in 1891 showed the bugs to have been destructive 
 locally in some nine counties for two years, and in a few places for 
 three years past. Spring wheat, rye, and barley have afforded them the 
 most acceptable breeding places. Destruction of these grains in areas 
 varying from a fraction of an acre up to two, three, or more, acres was 
 common all through the infested region ; and spring wheat was fre- 
 quently light in weight because of the attacks of the bugs. Oats were 
 quite generally infested, but did not suffer so severely as the other small 
 
46 BULLETIN NO. 19. [.February^ 
 
 grains, only now and then a small area showing noticeable injury. Corn 
 next to spring wheat, rye, or barley, suffered considerable damage, sev- 
 eral rows next such fields often being almost wholly worthless. Fields 
 at a distance from the small grains contained bugs in limited numbers 
 scattered all through them, but were not commonly damaged notice- 
 ably. The situation in these northern counties is shown more specific- 
 ally in the following brief abstracts of field notes and correspondence: 
 
 McHENRY. Marengo, Oct. 15. Second year of appearance. Great damage to 
 rye, oats, and corn; some rye and corn not harvested. Woodstock, Oct. 16. Abundant 
 all over the county. Wheat, corn, and barley attacked; corn not much hurt. Dam- 
 age greater than last year. 
 
 BOONE. Belvidere, Oct. 15. Bugs reported five miles from town, where rye 
 was being plowed down because of them. 
 
 WINNEBAGO. Rockford, Oct. 17. Abundant all through this region. Rye not 
 much harmed; barley severely attacked; wheat and corn attacked variously. One 
 crop of corn reported not worth gathering; another piece was half destroyed; and one 
 field of seven acres of wheat yielded fifteen bushels gross. Pecatonica, Oct. 18. The 
 bugs are in corn nearly a mile from the nearest stubble. Twenty acres of corn two 
 miles north of town quite spoiled by bugs coming out of rye. 
 
 STEPHENSON. Ridott, Oct. 19. Bugs passed from rye to corn, doing no very 
 marked damage to either. On bottom land found bugs on corn with no stubble near. 
 Lena, Oct. 20. Bugs generally present, but little complaint of injury. One farmer 
 reports bugs in wheat, going thence into corn and damaging it seriously. Warren, 
 Oct. 20. Traces of chinch bugs only. 
 
 KANE. Hampshire, Oct. 14. Chinch bugs appeared here two years ago; last year 
 in greater numbers than the year before. This year, barley, wheat, and corn damaged. 
 Wm. Warrington had three acres of wheat destroyed, and H. Gilkerson had fifteen 
 acres of wheat injured and three acres of corn destroyed. A neighbor of his had 
 three or four acres of spring wheat and two or three acres of corn destroyed. 
 
 DEKALB. New Lebanon, June 2. ' 'Abundant in wheat and barley. ' ' Genoa, Oct. 
 15. Chinch bugs reported in wheat, -Hungarian, and corn. They are also found in 
 the vicinity of Sycamore. Shabbona, Oct. 20. Chinch bugs common in corn. Some- 
 what injurious. 
 
 OGLE. Davis Junction, Oct. 14. Traces of bugs all along the road from here 
 to Stillman's Valley. Stillmaris Valley, Oct. 14. A few rows of corn next rye and 
 spring wheat injured. Payne' s Point, Oct. 15. Bugs went from rye into corn; both 
 damaged some. Barley injured also, one acre of corn destroyed, and seven acres 
 badly damaged. Oregon, Oct. 15. Five acres of corn east of town reported destroyed. 
 Ghana, Oct. 15. Bugs generally diffused between here and Payne's Point. Two or 
 three acres of corn destroyed by bugs coming from rye. Forreston, Oct. 15. Bugs 
 were flying thickly about this time last year. Hibernated abundantly in woods. Rye, 
 barley, spring wheat, and corn hurt about as badly last year as this. North of town 
 ten acres of rye ^as so badly damaged as to be plowed up. Five acres of corn badly 
 damaged; much rye, barley, and spring wheat cut before it ripened to save it from the 
 bugs. Reports from Mt. Morris, Baileyville, and Rochelle show the bugs to be gener- 
 ally distributed over the county. 
 
 WHITESIDE. Sterling, Oct. 21. Chinch bugs few, no important damage. 
 
 From the foregoing it is evident that the cereal crops of a consider- 
 able part of Illinois for the coming season are in danger unless weather 
 conditions intervene to destroy the chinch bug or to check its multiplica- 
 tion, and that with unfavorable weather this year, 1893 may well be 
 dreaded throughout a large part of the state as a year of impending 
 
1892.] THE CHINCH BUG IN ILLINOIS, 1891-92. Ah 
 
 agricultural disaster all the more difficult to bear because the agricul- 
 ture of Illinois, and especially that of northern Illinois, will be extraor- 
 dinarily conspicuous during that Exposition year. We have, therefore, 
 unusual reason to take prompt and thorough-going measures to ward 
 off the injury thus threatened. 
 
 Practical measures of defence available for the coming season are 
 limited to the present destruction of the bugs in their winter quarters; 
 to a diminution of their food supply by intelligent cropping; to the sup- 
 port of infested crops by the use of fertilizers and a liberal agricultural 
 method in general; to a destruction of the insects in small grain where 
 they appear very abundantly in patches; to an arrest of their movement 
 and a destruction of them as they pass from field to field at harvest; and 
 to measures for the prompt dissemination and rapid increase of their 
 natural contagious diseases. 
 
 The attack on the insect in its winter quarters is to be made by fire, 
 carrying the torch in early spring over headlands, thickets, and borders of 
 woods, and into the wintering places of the pest generally, just as far 
 and as thoroughly as practicable. The drier the rubbish and the earth 
 below, the more certainly will the fire reach the hidden insects. There 
 are commonly a few warm days in spring, just previous to the spring 
 flight of the bugs, when they are creeping actively about near the surface 
 of their winter harborage, at which time a fire running over the ground 
 will kill a greater number of them than if applied earlier. This operation 
 will be more general and easy where the fences are of wire, or where 
 an effective stock law makes fences needless. 
 
 The crops to be especially avoided in northern Illinois are spring C 
 wheat, barley, rye, Hungarian, and millet. 
 
 To support an infested crop against the drain of insect injury the 
 quickly acting soluble fertilizers, containing nitrogen and the phos- 
 phates, are the most desirable. The sowing of clover on wheat is a 
 beneficial practice quite generally known to farmers. 
 
 Where the bugs settle in the fields in spring in patches, it may be a 
 profitable practice to destroy the young there as they hatch and before 
 they spread, even at a sacrifice of the grain if necessary. A thorough 
 wetting of such patches with the kerosene emulsion will be effective for 
 this purpose. It may be necessary in some cases to cover such areas 
 with straw or dry straw-stack waste, to be burned over afterwards. 
 
 As they move from field to field their passage may be arrested and 
 the chinch bugs killed by several procedures more or less generally 
 known. A deep furrow plowed round the field (to be kept cleaned out 
 by hand if necessary), in which the accumulating chinch bugs may be 
 killed mechanically or by the kerosene emulsion is, perhaps, on the whole, 
 the cheapest and the most effective method. A variation of this method, 
 used very successfully in Wisconsin, is to lay fresh corn stalks in the 
 furrow, in which the chinch bugs can be killed as they accumulate, as be- 
 fore, with the emulsion. To prepare this fluid, mix two parts of kerosene 
 
48 BULLETIN NO. 19. [February, 1892. 
 
 with one part of strong hot soap-suds, and violently agitate the mixture 
 with a handforce pump until a permanent cream or butter is produced. 
 This may then be diluted with ten or twelve parts of water, and applied 
 either from a sprinkler with a nozzle, or in a spray from a hand force 
 pump. A minute portion of the mixture is sufficient to kill the bugs of 
 all ages, and of the strength here recommended does not injure corn. 
 It may be used successfully against the bugs collecting on the outer rows 
 of corn, if they succeed in passing the barrier above described. 
 
 The fertilization of corn, either in the hill or by general application 
 to the soil, has been proved a very considerable defence against chinch- 
 bug injury. 
 
 The subject of the use of contagious insect diseases is still in the ex- 
 perimental stage, the relations of this method to various weather condi- 
 tions being as yet particularly doubtful. Its promise is such, however, 
 as to make it well worth while for any one interested to try the experi- 
 ment thoroughly and carefully. For this purpose application should be 
 made to the undersigned for material for infection, a large quantity of 
 which we are now growing by artificial methods for distribution in 
 the spring. 
 
 It should be thoroughly understood by everyone that isolated and 
 individual measures, while often productive of great good, are of but 
 little value as compared with a general, co-operative attack undertaken 
 by all the farmers of a threatened neighborhood. 
 
 S. A. FORBES, PH.D., 
 
 Consulting Entomologist. 
 
 All communications intended for the Station should be addressed, 
 not to any person, but to the 
 
 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS. 
 
 The bulletins of the Experiment Station will be sent free of all 
 charges to persons engaged in farming who may request that they be sent. 
 
 GEORGE E. MORROW, 
 
 President Board of Direction* 
 

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA