STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 41 



should also apply ourselves to the knotty problems which defy the 

 skill of the mere ol)S('rver, the ent()in()l()<2:i(al s]iO('ialist. aud hruv^ to 

 bear on them the experimental methods of praeticui biolo<^y. Call 

 this paper, if you please, a plea for an advance in the methods of 

 economic entomology; for original, practical, experimental work of 

 a biological character to replace in i)art the simi)le observation of 

 insects and their habits; an attempt to add the methods of the 

 biological laboratory to the resources of the economic entomology. 



The reading of this paper was listened to with intense interest 

 throughout, and at its conclusion was given the enthusiastic applause 

 it deserved. 



J. M. Pearson — I move that a vote of thanks be tendered Prof. 

 Forbes and that he be requested to prepare a copy of his learned essay 

 for publication: which motion was unanimously carried. 



Dr. Schroeder — I have read a great deal about the silk-worm 

 and its diseases. Wine and silk are the great industries of France. 

 A few years ago the phylloxera and silk-worm disease almost beggared 

 them, but they sent out Prof. Louis Pasteur, a scientific man like 

 Prof. Forbes, to investigate. He went to work with the microscope 

 and found the remedy, and now the disease is stayed. Prof. Forbes 

 is doing that kind of work for us; do let us hold up the hands of 

 the Professor. 



J. M. Pearson — We common fellows do not understand the sub- 

 ject very Avell and can't do much discussing it. It seems that we 

 must fight the little fellows with still smaller ones. The big bugs 

 we can take care of, but it is the little chaps that bother us most. 



Prof. Burrill— When Prof. Pasteur commenced his studies of 

 of the diseases of the silk-worm but little attention was paid to his 

 labor or efforts in that direction. But he preserved and wrote out 

 the whole history of his studies, and it is a work of vast importance 

 to the silk industry of the world. The French Commissioners of 

 Agriculture took hold of the work with energy and directed these 

 scientists to investigate thoroughly; this they did with the best 

 results. Public attention was attracted to it, and now the people 

 approve and highly appreciate the work. 



President Galusha then announced that the next thing in order 

 was: Report of Committee on Vegetable Physiology -- Prof . T. J. 

 Burrill, Champaign, and Prof. G. H. French. Carbondale. Prof. 

 Burrill came forward aud read: 



