BY. L.. A... BEBNAYS, ESQ;, B-L.S8:, BIC. 17 
might not, with credit to the Society, be drawn by their body. 
It is of no use to leave the first movement to be made by those 
whose industry it is proposed to assist, The cultivators of the 
soil in Queensland have not yet learned the lesson of co-opera- 
tion, and of acting in concert for the common good. Our Agricul- 
tural Associations have hitherto confined their attention almost 
entirely to the promotion of shows; while the Planters have 
combined chiefly on the labor question. Here. again, America 
affords a notable example, giving abundant instances of the 
vast amount of information which can be elicited and promul- 
gated by well organized Agricultural and Horticultural Socities. 
The subject of Economic Entomology embraces a vast field, 
beyond the phases which directly affect plant life, as the manu- 
facturers of, and traders in, most animal and vegetable products 
known to their cost ; while the insect friends of mankind present 
ample scope for the promulgation of knowledge of the methods 
in which their services are rendered. To all of these the 
American workers in this interesting field of investigation 
have given more or less attention, while naturally concentrating 
most of their effort upon remedial measures against those 
insects which interfere between the tiller of the soil, and the 
full harvest of his industry. In that country. also, is better un- 
derstood the importance of preserving the balance of nature, 
by observation of the true habits of birds, and of the larger 
insects, and their share in mitigating or intensifying insect de- 
predation ; a subject upon which I fear much ignorance prevails 
in this part of the world. 
There is no field of labor upon which this Society could enter, 
better calculated to do good in its generation, than that which 
I so imperfectly venture to bring to your notice to-night; and 
I am satisfied that a representation upon the subject made to 
the Minister for Education by the Council of the Society would 
be listened to with attention and respect, and would perhaps 
bear practical fruit. 
Cc 
