Ill 



of our farmers, and hence have given practical suggestions in a 

 simple form, publishing my own experience as far as possible, or 

 that of other workers who have met success in the same lines. 



During the past year the State Entomologist has delivered 

 eleven lectures to farmers and others at Wrenshall, Starbuck, 

 Battle Lake, Alexandria, New London, Madison, Willmar, Bran- 

 don, Braham, Renville, Warren and elsewhere. These lectures 

 were free to citizens, costing only the expense of providing a place 

 for the lecture. In almost every case the lecture was illustrated 

 with lantern views, and we are especially well prepared, through 

 the purchase of a fine lantern, to continue this work, which 

 appears to be thoroughly appreciated, during the coming winter. 



A number of press notices have been mailed during the year ; 

 a special report upon the Flour Moth, conditions seeming to re- 

 quire this, was issued on February 29th, and Press Bulletin No. 

 19, dealing with the food habits of some of our common birds, 

 was printed on May 14, 1904. It is the intention of a joint com- 

 mittee from the Audubon Society, the State Horticultural Society 

 and the Board of Education to place this bulletin in the hands of 

 the teachers of our common schools, in order to inculcate in the 

 young pupils an interest in birds, and a love for the useful species. 



From the first day of May to the first of December, this de- 

 partment has written 1,076 letters, an average of about 154 a, 

 month. These letters were largely in answer to inquiries regard- 

 ing insect pests. In addition many circulars and numerous postal 

 card notices have been mailed. 



In allotting the printing of reports we have felt it incumbent 

 upon us to place the business with a printing house where we are 

 certain not only of reasonable prices, but also of excellence of 

 work and material, and dispatch in the completion of the job, be- 

 lieving it poor economy to have the work done by some house 

 where protracted delays seem inevitable, where the material used 

 is of an inferior grade, and the execvition poor, although such 

 house may offer the lowest bid. 



Believing that this office is established for the best good of 

 the farmers, we have seen fit to include in this report a chapter 

 dealing with gophers, field mice, rabbits, etc., which are always 

 a menace to the farmer and the fruit grower. The need, too, 



