238 



insecticides the composition of which is kept secret by their manu- 

 facturers ; (4) to create a Central Experimental Chemical Laboratory 

 for analysing various remedies appearing on the market ; and (5) to 

 create premiums for the local manufacture of various insecticides. 

 The Conference adopted all the suggestions except the last, and also 

 expressed the opinion that such goods should be transported by the 

 railways, etc., at privilege rates. 



MoKRZECKi (S. A.). PeayjibTaibi flBafluaTM/rfeTHeM fltnTenbHOCTM 

 dHTOMonorMHecKOM OpraHMsai^JM TaepHMecKaro SeMCTBa B-b 

 CMM())epono/l%. [Results of twenty years work of the Entomo- 

 logical organisation of the Taurida Zemstvo in Simferopol] 

 pp. 101-106. 



The Entomological Organisation of the Zemstvo of Taurida was 

 established in 1893 after a large outbreak of Eurygaster maurus, 

 which in the previous year had resulted in the loss of 62,000 acres of 

 winter-sown wheat, and the author was appointed to the post of 

 Entomologist of the Zemstvo. When he started his investigations of the 

 damage done by this Pentatomid bug, he was accompanied by a Greek 

 Orthodox pope and a Tartar mullah. He describes the difficulties 

 experienced during the first years of his work owing to the absence 

 of a properly fitted station, and to the backward state of Applied 

 Entomology in Russia at that time. There was nobody from whom 

 to learn in Russia and he had, in consequence, to begin by studying 

 the work of American authors. The introduction of various methods 

 of fighting pests, both by means of insecticides, etc., and by applying 

 progressive methods of cultivation, was rendered difficult owing to 

 the ignorance and prejudice of the public. The farmers have only 

 gradually become converted to new ideas, and have now themselves 

 asked that the control of certain pests should be made compulsory. 

 This was later effected in respect of the destruction of winter nests 

 of Aporia crataegi and Euproctis chrysorrJwea. The author has also 

 been instrumental in bringing about the establishment of posts of 

 local instructors and of the Natural History Museum of the Zemstvo 

 in Simferopol, which had at its disposal only two rooms in 1895, but 

 now occupies eleven rooms, containing a rich collection of the fauna, 

 flora and geology of the Crimea. The author made the following 

 suggestions, which were all adopted by the Congress : — (1) Only the 

 scientific work of Entomologists, under conditions prevailing in 

 nature, can form a basis for the introduction of applied remedies ; 

 (2) the Directors of Entomological Stations must be freed from all 

 duties connected with travelUng, lectures, instruction, etc. ; (3) 

 they must possess a higher (University) education and have worked 

 for some time in Entomological Stations or at Agricultural High 

 Schools ; (4) the first place amongst the objects of the Stations must 

 be occupied by researches into the biology of insect pests in connection 

 with local agricultural requirements ; (5) the Department of Agri- 

 culture should be asked to increase the stipends of students sent for 

 purposes of practical work to various stations, so as to create a body 

 of workers in applied entomology. 



