14 THE REPORT OF THE No. 19 



part of my subject, whicli I tliink is of keen personal interest to many present 

 here to-da3^ If any of you, and doubtless there are some, think of making a 

 serious study of entomology, that is to take it up as your life's work, there 

 are several things which must be considered very carefully. The first, un- 

 doubtedly, is. Are you so keenly interested in the work as to enable you to 

 excel.'' This is no easy matter. In the first stage of study, everything 

 examined is strange, attractive and interesting; but then comes a long stage 

 of close patient study and hard work, which love for the subject alone can 

 carry you through. After this comes the reward in the shape of the delight 

 of making new discoveries and learning more and more of the underlying 

 principles of the science in all its branches, so that, when occasion arises, 

 you may be able to take advantage of favourable opportunities for securing 

 remunerative work. Moderate attainments are of little value in making a 

 living. To be successful you must be, at any rate, just a little better than 

 your fellows. Success must always depend on excellence; and, to attain this, 

 thoughtful consideration and methodical application are as necessary as 

 patience and hard work. All work undertaken should be done as well as 

 possible, for your own sakes and for the work's sake. I believe it should be 

 a principle with everybody never to strive for what is called "credit". Credit 

 can never be gained by direct attack or by self -advertising. Fame which is 

 the same thing, is a fickle godess who comes unsought and, if dragged in 

 against her will, is in such a sulky mood that she is not worth having. Good 

 thorough work will always demand and will always receive recognition. 

 Strive to have your work as perfect in every detail and as conclusive as you 

 can render it; and, above all things, aim to avoid the rocks and whirlpools of 

 unproved theory. 



Owing to the rapid development of economic entomology, new openings 

 are being constantly created; and, as a consequence, there will be keen com- 

 petition among the whole army of young men now training themselves to 

 compete for these prizes. I know that there are openings to-day for well- 

 grounded and mentally well-equipped entomologists. The demand for such 

 men is increasing, and in the near future there will be further opportunities 

 in many lines of work which to-day are not dreamed of. The best prepared 

 will naturally gain the greatest prizes. The one desideratum is efficiency. 

 A knowledge of insects alone is not sufficient to make an efficient practical 

 entomologist. There are many necessary factors for such an official ; for 

 instance, he must be an enthusiast and should not only possess a general 

 knowledge of all the different order of insects, but should have a special 

 knowledge of some one or more ; he should be well grounded in the element-* 

 of animal life and plant life and must have at least a working knowledge of 

 the first principles of agriculture and horticulture, besides being fairly 

 familiar with the botany of the locality where he does most of his work. A 

 good knowledge of the English language is also most essential, so as to ac- 

 quire a habit of expressing simply and clearly but in a succinct manner 

 whatever information it may be necessary to communicate to the public. 



Those of you who are in attendance at this well organized College, have 

 special advantages of an exceptional nature, of which you should use every 

 endeavour to avail yourselves to the fullest possible extent. You have Pro- 

 fessors thoroughly qualified and eminent in their own subjects. In your 

 Professor of Entomology especially, you have a man who perhaps has done 

 more in Canada than anyone else to build up and establish on a firm basis 

 the science which we have met here to-day to discuss, a man who, so capable 

 in teaching, is also so genial and courteous that it is always a pleasure to 

 meet him and a delight to be associated with him. You have around you 

 extensive and beautiful grounds in which you can study insects and the 



