124 THE REPORT OF THE No. 19 



• I'KESIDENTS ADDRESS. 



Mr. Greg-on said that the Society was now in its fifth year of existence and explained 

 some of the difficulties that had to be overcome in the course of its establishment. Very early 

 in the society's existence, botany was made a complementary subject with entomology, and by 

 constantly hammering away, holding meetings and by pointing out on every possible occasion 

 the manner in which agriculture was affected by insects and plants, farmers were interested in 

 the welfare of the society. 



One difficulty to contend with has been, not so much the prejudice of the young people 

 against insects, but the prejudice of the parents, which however was passing away. The presi- 

 dent then proceeded to describe the formation and operation of one of his field clubs. At first 

 two or three boys would join for the fun of the thing — perhaps one of them might be in earn- 

 est — and a girl or two. In the afternoon they would go out, and from the varied assortment 

 of things taken (bugs, beetles, spiders, caterpillars, butterflies, etc. ) a caterpillar obviously para- 

 sitised would be selected, and the circumstance and importance of it explained Then perhaps 

 on another occasion the attacks of a small fly on the common prairie aster would be noted, and 

 the young people asked to find one free of attack. They would by that process learn how very 

 few planes there were which had no insects of any kind attacking them. The membership of 

 the Lacombe Field Club now numbers 22, all filled with a sense of responsibility as naturalists. 

 Three out of four who have gained prizes this year are members of this field club, and these 

 prizes were gained against a competition open to all the Territories. 



There is now also being organized at the Red Deer school a field club for that district on 

 the lines of the Lacombe Club, so that next year (if all is well) there will be two such clubs in 

 full operation. 



Speaking as to the use of the study of entomology, or botany, or any other subject of nat 

 ural history, Mr. Gregson said that even looking at it as a hobby there is this value in a hobby, 

 that of a definite purpose in view. But there are other uses. Botany is the study of the life 

 history of all plants. It teaches us their modes of growth, habits, natures, localities, etc., so 

 that we learn just how they affect the farmer for good or bad, and in the prize competitions 

 for this year it was made a special condition that the collections should specify these particular 

 features. Then take entomology. This means the study of the life history of all insects. It is 

 not enough to simply know the names of the insects, though that is a good step forward, but 

 their habits and life history from the time they hatch from the egg until they undergo their 

 final change must be learnt as far as possible, and as we learn so our interest grows and our 

 collections should show this life-history. 



Another use of the study of natural history is the remarkable development it induces of the 

 faculty ot observation — in the young especially. It is extremely interesting to watch this de- 

 velopment. About two years ago one of the young folk to whom Mr. Gregson is teaching en- 

 tomology came to him and said : " Mr. Gregson, 1 shall never get a collection, there are so few 

 insects." He was told to persevere, and this summer he said : " Mr. Gregson, thei-e seem to 

 be insects everywhere." 



This is a young boy —a boy 12 years old — who has gained the first prize in entomology this 

 year. His collection was handed around the room and excited much interest. Another is the 

 love of nature which these studies cultivate — one of the most valuable possessions one can 

 have, and it is well that this should be cultivated while we are young. 



As an almost natural corollary with the work of the entomological society, plans have been 

 formulated for the establishment of natural history museums at the schools of Red Deer and 

 Lacombe, which the pupils are intended to collect for and augment every year. These museums 



