[FLETCHER | PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 15 
The continuance of sufficiently large appropriations from the State Leg- 
islature to enable the work to be carried on, on its present scale, is doubt- 
ful, and yet those in charge believe that still larger appropriations are 
necessary to bring about extermination. They are confident, however, 
that with sufficient means, the insect can be absolutely exterminated from 
the State of Massachusetts.” 
The few instances which I have given, will, I believe, show the great 
economic value of the study of entomology, and, as I have already taken 
up as much of your valuable time asis permissible on this occasion, I will 
not cite any more of the numberless cases which might be brought for- 
ward ; but, in conclusion, let me state that, notwithstanding the enormous 
numbers of insects in the world, those particular kinds which generally 
every year attack farm crops, are comparatively few in number—not 
more than one hundred species. 
The life-histories of most of these have been so well worked out that 
I think it is not too much to claim that, upon application to a competent 
entomologist. information is now available with regard to most of them, 
which will enable those inquiring for it, to lessen, mitigate or avert 
altogether the injury from injurious insects. 
