PREFACE. 
Durine the year 1897, as in the recently preceding years, we 
had not presence of any one special crop attack spreading widely 
over the country; but the ordinary infestations were mostly 
present, and in the case of orchard or fruit crops some of the 
infestations were unusually troublesome. In the absence of any 
generally prevalent drought in May, the general prevalence of 
orchard and Oak-leaf caterpillars, which caused such severe 
damage in the two preceding years, was little reported; but the 
weather influences of the continued mild winter are keeping 
presence of some of the crop attacks in activity to a degree 
which may require attention. From specimens sent me only a 
few weeks ago, maggot is present unusually early in the young 
Wheat plant; the very injurious caterpillars of the Small Swift 
Moth, which feed on different kinds of roots, are also at work ; 
and in Clover I have more than usual presence of maggots of 
the ‘‘ Clover and Pea-leaf Weevil ”’ at the roots, and of Kelworm 
Stem-sickness. In the case of the Wheat and of the Stem-sick 
Clover, it would be so very desirable to be on the alert to apply 
(where needed) the requisite dressings, that I just mention what 
is going forward now, although the observations extend beyond 
those of 1897. 
Amongst some of the special points of enquiry during the 
past year, more than usual attention has been given to imported 
insect infestations in Corn and Flour; and amongst Turnip 
attacks, the appearance of the Diamond-back Moth at various 
North British localities, rather late in the past season, suggests 
that it would be desirable to be on the watch presently to check 
the very first signs of presence of the pest. 
Amongst fruit attacks, that of the newly observed species 
of Shot-borer Beetle, in addition to the destructive kind also 
