INSECTS INJURIOUS TO HOUSE PLANTS 



AND SHRUBBERY. 



BY PROF. A. J. COOK, OF THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, LANSING. 



No person, who has been a regular attendant of the interesting meetings of 

 this Society, no matter how enamored he may be of the term *' Pomology," can 

 for a moment deny the truth, that that term is all too narrow to rightly desig- 

 nate the scope of this Association. AVith what unfailing delight, and profit, 

 too, have we witnessed, at each of our meetings, the admirable display of those 

 richest, choicest gems of nature, the priceless gifts of Flora. Proud as we 

 must ever be of Pomona's contribution, which, in our own Michigan, are truly 

 peerless; still, all must grant that the crowning beauty of these exhibitions 

 are direct from Flora's treasure-house. Even in these mid-summer gatherings, 

 when all nature is rife with the matchless beauty of leaf and flower, what 

 genial cheer is dispensed by the hanging basket with its dainty alyssum; the 

 twining ivy ever so welcome ; the variegated colias, wdiose rich coloration ever 

 vies with surrounding bloom ; the calla, so suggestive in its union of health- 

 fulness and chastity; the modest fuchsia, and the not less beautiful geranium, 

 not to mention the wonderful bouquet combinations, Avhich glory in the very 

 taste that they themselves have helped to develop ! 



I believe every member of this Society has felt to thank the flower-loving 

 citizens of Kalamazoo and Adrian, as also our good friends, Messrs. Suttle and 

 Chilson, who have added so largely to our pleasure by their floral gifts. 



Now, if it is true that brief gatherings owe so much to the beauty of these 

 floral ofierings, what shall we say of the thousand homes, whose genial atmos- 

 phere, and delightful cheerfulness, which are constantly weaving themselves 

 into character, draw so largely from that wealth of floral beauty, ever height- 

 ened by the tasty intermingling of richest foliage, so generally seen in our 

 Michigan parlors and flower-gardens. "Who can estimate the good that society 

 is constantly reaping, from the taste and labor, which is being bestowed every- 

 where about us, in the adorning of homes. Make all our homes a center of 

 intelligence, as exemplified in their books, magazines, and papers, and also the 

 seat of assthetic culture, attested by the beautiful lawns, well-kept flower-gar- 

 dens, graceful hedges, and neatly arranged shrubs, — nor would we omit win- 

 dow or parlor gardening, and evergreens, — and, I ween that the sad old song, 

 that the children love not the home, but seek for j^leasure in dangerous haunts 

 outside, will scarce be heard. And that other complaint, that the sons will 



