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those who have no sort of appreciation of its real value and impor- 

 tance, but who, writing at second-hand upon subjects of which they 

 have no personal knowledge whatever, are just as apt to disseminate 

 error as truth," or perhaps to the fact that some entomologists have 

 tried to cover too much ground, and while professedly writing arti- 

 cles for the good of a class which it is assumed has no knowledge 

 of scientific terms ; at the same time ihey endeavor to maintain their 

 scientific status and secure the credit of priority in description or 

 discovery. I would venture the opinion that it is impossible to 

 combine these two causes advantageously, and that the scientific 

 details and necessary descriptions and discussion of theories would 

 find a more appropriate place in the scientific periodicals and trans- 

 actions of societies devoted to the subject, whilst the results, the 

 practical application of our work for the good of the country should 

 be published where, and in the manner, it can do most good. It 

 will be seen in this way that I give the highest place of honor to 

 Economic Entomology, and this I really believe to be a proper 

 arrangement. The systematic classification of orders and genera, 

 and the arrangement of large collections so as to understand the 

 proper relationships which exist, are matters of engrossing interest, 

 but the intelligent application of this knowledge for the benefit of 

 mankind at large, draws such vast consequences in its wake that it 

 demands the closest attention of entomologists. So great, however, 

 is the field of Entomology that it cannot possibly be covered by any 

 one individual, and the work of specialists in every department is 

 necessary. Owing to the institution of the various Experiment 

 Stations in the United States with their several entomologists, 

 doubtless the attention of many will now be turned to Entomology 

 who otherwise would not have thought of it, and also so many men 

 entering enthusiastically upon the field at the same time to do orig- 

 inal work will certainly have the effect before long of producing 

 eminent and useful public officers. I therefore make a special appeal 

 to you to consider now whether a union which would be the means 

 of bringing together at least once a year all those working specially 

 in Economic Entomology would not be a useful institution. Some 

 of the official entomologists have been well trained in Economic 

 Entomology, whilst others are young men fresh from college, and 

 with only a general knowledge of the subject. To these latter, of 

 course, by far the greatest advantage would accrue ; there is such 

 an infinity of small things and so many doubts, which a word from 

 one of greater experience can settle, that the meeting once a year 

 where questions of economic interest alone would be discussed, 



