•"376 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 



their lives to studying the habits of these I'ttle "creeping 

 things which be upon the earth," that they may teach us how 

 to destroy those which prey upon our trees, and to distinguish 

 our friends from our foes. Every plant imported from abroad 

 brings with it a new insect or disease, and the dissemination of 

 new plants and varieties, without which there can be no prog- 

 ress in horticulture, insvitably disseminates their insect ene- 

 mies. On this subject the words of Edmund Burke are appro- 

 priate : '•' The most vigilant superintendence, the most prompt 

 activity, which has no such day as to-morrow in its calendar, 

 are necessary to the farmer ;" and, we may add, .still more to 

 the fruit-grower, and tenfold more necessary in combating our 

 insect enemies. The neglect of battling with these vile crea- 

 tures is the great bane to successful cultivation ; but as long 

 -as moral evil exists in the world, so long may Ave expect there 

 Vill be evil in the natural world, and he who is not willing to 

 contend against both is not worthy of the name either of cul- 

 tivator or of Christian. 



We belong to that class who have faith in the ultimate tri- 

 umph of good over evil in the moral world, and our faith is 

 not less strong that the insect plagues shall, if not extermin- 

 ated, at least be subdued, so that the labor of keeping them so 

 far in check that no material harm shall be caused by them 

 will be comparatively easy. We have discovered means for 

 preventing the ravages of the currant-worm, curculio, canker- 

 Avorm, caterpillar, melon-bug, and aphis, and the mildew and 

 other diseases of our vines. If we can do this, is it not rea- 

 sonable to suppose that we can discover remedies for, or the 

 means of preventing, all the diseases and depredations that 

 vegetation is liable to ? Is it consistent with that Divine econ- 

 omy, so benevolent in all its ways and works, to believe that 

 this fair creation has been spread out only to be destroyed ; 

 that seed-time should be promised and the harvest Avithheld ; 

 and from year to year our hopes deferred and our hearts made 

 sick? Is it in harmony with that Divine Providence which 

 >created all things and pronounced them very good ? 



