576 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
many, knowing little or nothing of its nature, were content with a glance 
or two. At the Oswego county fair the interest was if anything more 
marked. There was in constant attendance at each fair a member of the 
official force for the purpose of answering questions and explaining the 
more important features of the collection. Thus information was dis- 
seminated through the examination of insects and their work and by 
personal explanations, and.all was supplemented by the distribution of a 
small catalogue giving in brief form the more striking characteristics of 
the insect and in a word outlining the method of keeping it in check. 
The following extracts will give an idea of the interest taken in this 
new departure: 
This exhibit, which is made under the auspices of the University of 
the State of New York, is attracting much attention, both from the mere 
sight-seeker and from the practical farmer. Mr G. W. J. Angell, who is 
in charge of the greater New York exhibit in Machinery hall... said: 
“T trust that this exhibit of insects is but an entering wedge, and will 
be greatly enlarged at future state fairs. ‘The heavy annual loss to the 
farmers and lumbermen of our state from the depredations of insect 
enemies runs high into the millions. The ability to differentiate between 
those creatures which are injurious and those directly or indirectly beneficial, 
and how best to prevent the ravages of the former, is as necessary to the 
successful farmer as the knowledge of the comparative values and the 
use of modern agricultural machinery. An insect, which today from its 
rarity is comparatively harmless to crops, may next year, from a sudden 
increase in its numbers, become a most destructive pest, and only by a 
knowledge of its life history and of the critical stage in its development, 
when the proper insecticides are most potent, can the threatened danger 
be averted 
The handy little pocket catalogue of the present exhibit ... gives 
descriptions of some 75 of the commoner injurious insects with the prop- 
er remedies to be used against their attacks, and is one of the most 
valuable features of the exhibit. Some of the insects which are directly 
beneficial are also noted, such as the various silk worms, both native and 
exotic, and the bees which carry pollen from flower to flower, without 
whose labors many of our most valuable plants would become extinct.” — 
Evening herald, Syracuse, 7 Sep. 
A new and valuable exhibit in Floral hall was a collection of 82 nox- 
ious and beneficial insects... probably the first attempt to bring the 
latest results of entomological science before the people at a state fair. 
The specimens were admirably arranged in cases, showing their succes- 
sive changes and samples of their work on bark, wood and leaves. ‘They 
were constantly surrounded by observers, many drawn perhaps by the 
star of the season, the kissing bug, Opsicoetus personatus, 
but many fruit and shade tree growers were specially delighted with this 
opportunity to study the life history of pests whose ravages have been so 
sorely felt. ‘The value of economic entomology can not better be made 
known than by thus bringing such exhibits before the people We trust 
that it may become a regular feature of future fairs. The exhibit has 
