276 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUKE. 



the hands and by teaching, always open to students. The average expenses of 

 every kind to a recent, and the largest, class graduated at the Agricultural 

 College were but $741.43 more than the wages earned at the College itself. To 

 most of these, this small investment has already returned its interest at usurious 

 rates, in superior position and wages. Others have postponed still farther the 

 returns, that they may make them larger by still better preparation for work. 

 Now, if this seems to you a special plea for the schools that are asking your 

 jDatronage, I beg you to review the items, one by one, that make it up, and tlien 

 to apply the adage, '' The proof of the pudding is in the eating." I believe 

 the day is coming when none can afford to forego this culture, Avhen each shall 

 see the profit of the investment, tliat he himself needs it, his friends need it in 

 him, his country needs it, and the race. So every son and daughter of Adam 

 and Eve, who follow the good old way of founding a home out of Avhich shall 

 grow the future good and great, will find their best outfit and their most pro- 

 ductive capital in a well cultivated stock of brains, controlling all material 

 wealth. God speed the day, that you and I may live to see it ! 



THE TIIEEE INSECT ENEMIES MOST TO BE DEEADED BY THE 

 FAEMEE. DELIVEEED AT DECATUE, ADEIAN, AND COLDWATEE. 



BY A. J. COOK. 



The greatest enemies of the farmer! What are they? The history of the- 

 past would doubtless answer, ignorance, indolence, and isolation. But to-day 

 intelligence and even culture are no strangers in our rural communities ; thrift 

 and energy are no where more apparent ; while through the Avholesome influence 

 of the club and grange even the moss-grown walls of isolation are being razed 

 to the ground. 



To the incautious farmer, who foolishly allows the debtor columns of his 

 account to greatly distance the creditor, perhaps the most dreaded enemies — at 

 least he comes to coiisider them as enemies, — are the banker, grocery-man, and 

 constable. To the shiftless farmer — and how many there are even here in 

 Michigan, — Avith fences low, tools unhoused, and stock unsheltered, scarcely 

 worse enemies ajipear than his neighbors' stock, rust, and rot, and the host of 

 evils ■which are usually ascribed to ill luck. 



But it is not among the bushes and hedge-rows of this broad field, that I am 

 now to- go in eager quest, of the farmer's enemies, that I may find them and 

 bind them. It is among those insect pests that pilfer our grains, steal our 

 fruits ; tunnel our fruit and shade trees, and utterly destroy our lawns and 

 meadows ; tliat I am to go as search warrants, that I may point out the evil- 

 doers, and indicate the means to bring them to speedy and certain justice. 

 Just here, then, we are to point out those insects from which "disaster, follows 

 thick and follows faster," till the discouraged farmer looks to his wasted fields, 

 and gardens, and murmurs " Only these and nothing more." 



About three years since one of the present legislators of Allegan county said 

 to me ; what are we to do witli the cut-worms? Tliey are commuting a ruinous 

 worh in our neighborhood. In fact we have no discouragement that compares 



