21 



The agricultural industries are shown hy all statistics to be greater in importance 

 and value than all the other interests of the nation combined. 



Tiie labour rcquireil for the full investigation of the complex problems involved in 

 the protection against natural enemies of these vast interests can only be had by the em- 

 ployment of the best men of science, who are usually not found in the service of the 

 Go^•e^nn^ent, but who for a gi'eat national purpose would give their closest attention to 

 any subject which might be committed to them. 



Such objects as the locust, which has caused reeentlj' a destruction of food estimated 

 at from §40,000,000 to SoO,Ono,000 ; the Colorado ]iotato-bectle, which, in accordance 

 with the predictions of Ent(miologists of repute, has extended from the Rocky Mountains 

 to the Atlantic, and has invaded the neighbouring Dominion ; the Chinche bug, so de- 

 structive to cereals in the Valley of the jNIississippi ; the army worm and the cotton worms 

 which destroj' whole crops, certainly require the strongest measures that can be adopted 

 by the Government for their suppression. 



It was estimated by Mr. B. D. Walsh, that in 1861 the injury caused by insects in 

 the State of Illinois alone amounted to '$2fl, 000,000. The destruction must be now much 

 greater. 



By the same authority it was stated that " the annual <laniage done by insects in the 

 United States cannot be less than S300,000,000. 



The appropriations made by a State, however liberal, must ever fail to procure such in- 

 vestigations as your memorialists pray for : the enemies are national, and must be dealt with 

 by national authority, as much as an invading army of foreigners, hostile to our ciyiliza- 

 tion. Unless repressed by intelligent means applied over its whole area of distribution, 

 tlie insect, with its free powers of moA-ement in its adult state, is not controlled. 



Your Memorialists would be glad to believe that the information needed upon these 

 most important subjects could be afforderl by the Department of Agriculture. Unfortu- 

 nately such is not the case, nor can it be until the Department is under scientific advice. 

 There remain, therefore, but two modes of procuring for the Government and the people 

 proper counsel for defence against agricultural pests. 



The first is the reorganization of the Department upon a scientific basis, under the 

 control of men whose learning and fitness for the position are acknowledged both abroad 

 and at home. The second alternative is the appointment of a Commission of five persons, 

 — to wit, three entomologists, one cliemist, and one botanist, eminent in their respective 

 branches of science — to be chosen by the Council of the National Academy of Science, and 

 approved by the Secretary of the Treasuiy, with such salaries as your Honouiable bodies 

 would consider adequate for the responsible work required of them, and with such addi- 

 tional appropriation as might be needed for clerical assistance. The duty of this Com- 

 mission would be to investigate the causes which affect injuriously agricultural interests, 

 and to suggest the best means of diminishing the losses. 



The results of such investigations should be embodied in brief Reports containing 

 practical instructions and made accessible at a small price, or by personal education to 

 every farmer in the country. 



It is believed by your Memorialists that the granting of their prayer by the creation 

 of such a Commission would do more for advancing Agriculture than can ever be expect- 

 ed from the Department, and be in the end most economical. Tf sucha Commission were 

 appointed for a definite term (say five or seven years), it would at the end of that time 

 save iti part, or perhaps wholly, the annual expenses of the Department of Agriculture, 

 and would lessen greatly the destruction of agricultural products, by tending to the rapid 

 extermination of all these great pests. 



It could be safely promised that the work of such a Commission would be of equal 

 value and dignity with that of other Scientific Commissions of the Government ; such as 

 the Coast Survey, Geological Survey, Commission of Fisheries, and Signal Bureau, and 

 would be as strictly practical as either. 



And your Memorialists, as in duty bouml, will everpr.ay, &c. 



