180 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Commerce has bestowed iii^on him a gold medal in appreciation of discov- 

 eries made in economic entomology. As stated in the letter conveying the in- 

 formation to Prof. Kiley, this well deserved compliment is proof that his talents 

 and labor are recognized by very high and competent judges. 



For the past six years Prof. Eiley has been doing most admirable and 

 telling work as State Entomologist of Missouri, and his continuance in of- 

 fice for all this time with a salary of $3,000, no less than the vehement pro- 

 tests called forth from all quarters when the governor, in a fit of false econ- 

 omy, recommended a year ago the discontinuance of his office, show full well 

 that honor may come even from one's own country. 



Prof. Kiley first came into notice as the able entomological editor of the 

 Prairie Farmer, while his various articles as assistant editor of the American 

 Entomologist, added essentially to the exceeding value of that periodical, 

 which I once heard the editor of the American Agriculturist commend as a 

 model journal. Prof. Riley's six reports, as entomologist of Missouri, so well 

 and completely illustrated, form almost a cyclopedia in economic entomology, 

 and will prove an enduring monument to the wisdom of that State. These 

 reports are published not only in pamphlet form, but are embraced in the ag- 

 ricultural reports of that State, and should be found in the library of each 

 member of this association. 



Illinois, fully appreciating the loss which she had incurred in the death of 

 Dr. "Walsh, at once endeavored to fill his place, and v/as so fortunate as to 

 select for his successor the present able entomologist of that State, Dr. Wm. 

 LeBaron, who, by his exact observation, careful statements, painstaking labor, 

 and striking modesty, reminds one of Dr. Harris. Especially to be commended 

 is his simple, direct method of stating his points. Dr. LeBaron has made 

 some valuable additions to entomological knowledge, as for instance the dis- 

 covery of a minute chalcid parasite {Aphelinus mitilasjndis, Le Baron) upon 

 the apple ireQ\iQx\i-\o\\^e {Aspidiotus conchiformis, Gajielin) , as also the means 

 of transporting this valuable destroyer, that it may be introduced, and its bene- 

 fits gained by every locality. And the discovery of an improved method of 

 fighting the canker-worm {Anisopteryx vernata, Peck), which is very opportune 

 for ns, in whose State this insect has done no inconsiderable damage during 

 the past season. 



Dr. LeBaron has now issued four valuable reports, which compare favorably 

 with those already mentioned. It is greatly to be desired that neither acci- 

 dent nor other circumstance will remove this second able State Entomologist 

 of Illinois from the field of economic entomology, all so white for the harvest. 



We next speak of Dr. A. S. Packard, one of the able editors of the American 

 Naturalist, and author of our best hand-book in entomology, '* Guide to the 

 Study of Insects." While Dr. Packard occupies a first place among the work- 

 ers in scientific entomology in our country, he still has done good work in ap- 

 plying the science. His three reports as Entomologist of Massachusetts, 

 though unpretentious in size, are quite meritorious. 



I have been frequently asked what book a person should procure who wished 

 to commence the pursuit of this fascinating science in real earnest. To those 

 who wish not merely to learn the practical part, but who desire to lay hold of 

 the very foundations of the science, there is no American work comparable 

 with Packard's " Guide." 



This history would be far from complete were I to omit mention of the en- 

 thusiastic entomologist of the Agricultural department at AVashington : Mp. 



