85 



The next chapter treats of Butterflies and Moths {Lepldoptera). After giving an 

 account of many diflferent species with their varied modes of attack and the special meas- 

 ures to be adopted in each case, the authoress goes on to say : " But for the most part 

 these and various other means of prevention or remedy have to be applied, 

 not as broad measures of treatment, but as special measures for each special 

 attack, involving necessarily special outlay. For these reasons the pressing 

 need has long been felt of having some kind of application at hand which is cheap and 

 sure in its action, and which can be brought to bear at once, when required, ou any or 

 all sorts of Moth-caterpillars together (whatever their various natures or previous histories 

 may have been), and will kill the whole collection of ravaging hordes at once, without 

 ■damaging the leafage ; the experiments have been made, which have resulted, in some of 

 our fruit-growing districts, in the successful introduction of spraying caterpillar infested 

 leafage with Paris green, which has long been found serviceable in the United States and 

 Canada." To Miss Ormerod, indeed, it is due that the British fruit-growers have been 

 introduced to the use of arseuites, that their prejudices have been largely overcome, and 

 that the successful experiments have been carried out. For several years she has been 

 urging in her Reports the adoption of spraying with these poisons and using kerosene 

 emulsions, and now the good results of acting upon her advice have become apparent in 

 many quarters. 



Chapter eight treats of Saw-flies, Ichneumons, Wasps and other members of the 

 order Hymenoptera. Especial attention is paid to the beneficial species of Ichneumons 

 that are parasitic upon various insects of all kinds. The next chapter deals with the 

 Bug tribe {HeinijHera), including the Aphides and Scale-insects {Homoptera) and the 

 Plant-bugs {Heterojdera) ; and the last chapter with Slugs, Eel-worms, Millepedes and 

 Red-spider. In this concluding chapter there is given much sensible advice for ordi- 

 nary people as to the way in which they should observe insects and deal with their attacks. 

 We may make one or two quotations : " With a slight knowledge of the habits 

 of insect life, added to his own of the agricultural measures that could be used 

 to destroy the pest, or at least lessen the efl"ect of its ravages, each grower would be 

 fairly able to cope with attacks as they occurred ; whereas if he depends only on advice, 

 besides the damage from delay, he is very likely to get suLrg«stions not suited to the 

 particular circumstances. The farmer may not know the history of the insect ; but on 

 the other hand, the Entomologist very seldom knows the practical workings of growing 

 a crop, which it is necessary to know before advising measures which can be depended 

 on to answer at a paying rate." 



" In many cases the different items of treatment which go to make up good farming 

 will of themselves keep down a great deal of insect attack. By good cultivation 

 of the soil, and proper as well as liberal manuring, by rotation of crops, and 

 clearing fields and borders of useless trash and weeds, we turn out a great 

 •quantity of the pests which are harboring in the ground, and also ensure a 

 good, healthy growth, such as will support the crop under moderate attack ; and by 

 the rotation of crop and absence of weeds we are often able to present starvation to our 

 grubs, as many of them will only (or, perhaps, we should say, can only) live on special 

 food. These are the broad principles which are sure to be of use. We shall not be 

 free from insects any more than we shall be free from weeds ; and we need a great deal 

 more solid field information about the habits of crop insects (and experiences of paying 

 means of prevention) before we can think we have them thoroughly in hand. Never- 

 theless, the last few years have added enormously to our information, aud have shown 

 us how at least we may greatly diminish the amount of injury our crops suS'er." 



This stock of information, as far as Great Britain is concerned, his been almost 

 entirely brought together by the unselfish labors and painstaking enthusiasm of Miss 

 Ormerod herself. While aided by a large number of practical observers scattered over 

 the country, she stands alone among hundreds of collectors of insects, and many 

 ■eminent students of entomology, in devoting her talents, her knowledge, her time and 

 her means to the most useful and patriotic pursuit of the study of the science in its 

 ■economic aspect. C. J. S. B. 



