STATK lIORTlCLi.Tl RAL iiUClETV. 25 



But what advantage are we to gain by this division into distinct 

 branches or sciences ? Each particular species must be fought in a par- 

 ticular way, depending upon its peculiar habits and habitats. Let us ex- 

 amine this point fur a moment, and see how far this idea of isolated and 

 specific battles in the war with insect foes is correct. So long as we sit 

 down content with this conculsion, just so long is it in vain to talk about 

 systematizing operations and generalizing remedial agencies. No pro- 

 gress will be made, no advanced step taken, until we admit that possibly 

 this question has two sides to it. 



Leaving the other divisions, let us confine ourselves at this time to 

 the consideration of the "uses and advantages of Horticultural Ento- 

 mology as a special science," and see whether it is possible to generalize 

 the remedial agencies thereby suggested, and to devise a plan for systema- 

 tizing operations. 



What then are the advantages of this division into sections? What 

 advantage are we to derive by considering Horticultural Entomology as 

 a special science ? 



There is a growing tendency in the present age to produce specialists, 

 one-idea men ; and it is most undoubtedly a favorable one, so far as the 

 advance in knowledge is concerned. The rapid advance now being made 

 in the Natural Sciences, is owing chiefly to the work of specialists; and 

 what is true in this respect in regard to the Natural Sciences, is also true 

 in Agriculture. 



Horti( ulture is a science, depending in great part upon natural laws, 

 and the skillful operations of these to produce given results. It there- 

 fore can reach its proper standard only through the labors of those who 

 make it a specialty, and even then the field is so broad that it may well 

 be divided into separate branches, as the orchard, the nursery, and the 

 garden ; either of which affords a field sufficiently wide for special work. 

 The specialist wants all that relates to his particular branch separated 

 from that which has no reference to it, and brought into as concise and 

 compact a form as possible. Here, then, we see the first advantage to 

 be derived from the division proposed, and considering Horticultural 

 Entojnology as a separate science : The horticulturist who desires to 

 know what has been ascertained in reference to his insect foes, can learn 

 this much sooner if the division suggested were made, and the list belong- 

 ing to his department clearly and distinctly made out. 



As a second advantage to be derived from this division, 1 suggest 

 that the method of culture in one department is so widely different from 

 that in the other, that preventive or remedial measures which in any way 

 depend upon the method of cultivation must necessarily differ in the two, 

 and hence are better understood when considered separately. 



There are a number of other reasons for this separation, but the 

 principal advantage to be gained by considering Horticultural Entomolo- 

 gy as a special science is that a more complete and exact generalization 

 of the habits of insects which affect horticultural interests can be made ; 

 the general remedies applicable can be more easily ascertained, and oper- 

 ations more readily systematized. The more limited the number of 



