100 , ANNUAL REPORT. OF THE Off. Doc. 



of each respective month, or even earlier, but the lack of help in 

 tlie ofTicc lias made itjinpossiblc to jjrcpaic tlicm as promptly as we 

 had desired in all eas'S. On the whole, however, we have certain 

 knowledge that they have resulted in saving an immense amount of 

 loss to our practical citizens, who have been so highly appreciative 

 that it appears to us that (he best possible course is to continue 

 their publication. 



The i)rimary object of the quarterly bulletins has been to take up a 

 systematic study of the habits and economic features of the verte- 

 brates, or higher animals, commencing with the birds. We have 

 been discussing these orders and families in a regular, systematic 

 manner, and hope to continue this until not only the birds, but also 

 the mammals and reptiles are treated. Our illustrations have been 

 chi( fly from nature and prepared in this office, although many plates 

 have been kindly loaned by scientific workers in other states, and 

 have, consequently, cost nothing in the way of expenditure for our 

 Commonwealth. 



There was such a demand for our annual report of last year that it 

 was soon exhausted and could not be supplied to the persons desir- 

 ing it. The feature dealing with the insect record and the history 

 of zoology in Pennsylvania for the year seemed to be especially 

 gratifying and helpful to scientific workers and teachers. 



4.— LECTURES. 



During the past year I have delivered lectures in most of the coun- 

 ties in Pennsylvania, speaking generally upon agricultural or educa- 

 tional subjects, especially birds and insects. Most of the lecturing 

 has been through the medium of the farmers' institutes, while much 

 has been in connection with the granges, farmers' alliances, teach- 

 ers' institutes and other meetings. We attended teachers' institutes 

 in four counties, and also at the Ebensburg Summer School last 

 summer. Our teachers appeared to appreciate the cooperation that 

 is thus shown by this Department, and we find lectures to be an 

 important means of disseminating useful information and bringing 

 us into close touch with the thinking people. However, owing to 

 the limited amount of help in the office, I have found it necessary to 

 refuse more invitations to speak in public than I have been able to 

 accept. I hope it will not be necessary for us to curtail this import- 

 ant feature of public service. 



5.— INSPECTION OF NURSERIES AND PRIVATE PREMISES. 



The work of inspection of nurseries has all gone through this 

 office, as during the preceding years, and the results should be highly 

 gratifying to all persons who will acquaint themselves with them. 

 Our cliief nursery inspector, Mr. Enos B. Engle, has been kept busy 

 in the faithful performance of his duties, and with the two inspectors 

 that were appointed during the month of August, an important ser- 

 vice has been performed in this State. It has been shown that, as 

 the result of careful nursery inspection, the San Jos^ Scale has 

 greatly decreased in the nurseries of our Commonwealth. In the 

 southeastern quarter of this State the decrease has been about 20 

 per cent, each year. Three years ago the Inspector found about SO 

 per cent, of the nurseries infested. Two years ago the infestation 

 was found in about 60 per cent., and last year in only about 40 per 



