20 HALF HOURS WITH INSECTS. [Packakd. 



ia the forest, gnarled and distorted by one set of insects, its 

 leaves curled and turned j^ellow or red by the attacks of 

 others, with certain branches stripped by still others ; and 

 not only are certain trees and shrubs thus represented in 

 colors, but some of the plates represent parts of a forest, 

 showing the injury done in the mass by one or two species 

 of insects, with the changes in the form of branches and 

 leaves for several years succeeding the defoliation, and the 

 after growth of branches depending on the different degrees 

 of hijury, with transverse sections of the twigs, and micro- 

 scopic sections illustrating the pathological anatomy of the 

 tree. In England Cui'tis' "Farm Insects" and in our own 

 country Harris' Treatise on the Injurious Insects of Massa- 

 chusetts, together with Fitch's reports on tho injurious in- 

 sects of New York, and Walsh's on those of Illinois, Riley's 

 on those of Missouri, LeBaron's on those of Illinois, Trim- 

 ble's work on the insects injurious to fruit trees, and the 

 reports of the writer on the insects of Massachusetts, all 

 elucidate the subject of applied or economic entomology. 



Indeed the study of economical entomology is of growing 

 importance. Every passing year witnesses the attacks of 

 new enemies of our crop that appear as the forests are cut 

 down, and their natural food plants destro3ed. The wanton 

 killing of insect-eating birds also tends to a steady increase 

 in the number of noxious insects. More knowledge of en- 

 tomology should be diffused among agriculturists, tliat they 

 may be made acquainted with these pests and be forewarned 

 against their attacks and thus save a fair percentage of their 

 crops. 



We begin in this number an account of the insects of the 

 garden, and as their name is legion we shall have to select a 

 few of the most noxious, and portray as clearly as possible 

 their forms, and briefly sketch their habits. 



Were we to enumerate all the insect pests which gather 

 about our flowers, garden vegetables, ornamental shrubs 



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