Report of the State Geologist. 6G9 



8uch of our insect enemies as I am so often enquired of in 

 relation to ; and notices of such means of destruction as 

 arc deemed best for tlieir extermination. In a letter beforo 

 me, I am asked: " What is science good for, if scientific men 

 are baffled by one little insect which they cannot devise 

 means to exterminate ?" 



Science is not baffled, but, like Hercules in the old fablo 

 of the wagoner, can help you, and will help you, only when 

 you help j^ourselves. I may now hear you ask : " How we 

 may help ourselves ?" or how Vermont alone can help her- 

 self. We may safely calculate that the insect ravages in 

 Vermont for the vear 1877, will exceed three millions of 

 dollars. Now is it too much to say that a concerted action 

 on the part of all agriculturists would decrease this damage 

 one half? Did science have full control of our legislature, 

 law would require, and enforce, the necessary concert of 

 action ; and while agriculturists would groan under imagi- 

 nary tyranny, they would reap the reward. As the agricul- 

 tural interests control the legislature, ought they not and 

 will they not take their best interests under consideration, 

 and do something for themselves ? 



First, then : A law should be passed authorizing the 

 selection, and providing for the payment, of a competent 

 commission ; perhaps of three persons, for this State ; to be 

 selected for their merit and abilitv for the work : not for 

 political influence. This commission should sub-divide their 

 work in such manner as to thoroughly investigate the hab- 

 its, and times of appearance of agricultural pests; the effi^cts 

 upon them of all cheap materials which have been, or may 

 be used as destroying agents ; and to fidly determine the 



