BENEFICIAL AND INJURIOUS INSECTS 



Our Agricultural Department, through its Bureau of 

 Entomology, has accomplished wonders with its small 

 appropriation. In a double sense it has earned the 

 title of ''economic." It is beyond doubt instrumental 

 in saving the country a large sum, mounting into the 

 millions every year. It has stimulated the energy and 

 revived the spirits of men who had wellnigh despaired 

 under their misfortunes. It has summoned civilization 

 to practical and hopeful endeavor to stay and avert the 

 ravages of insect hordes that seemed to be irresistible. 

 Already it has proved that human intelligence, industry, 

 and patience can overcome the persistent legions before 

 which the ancients and even our fathers helplessly bowed. 

 It has called into being a large and growing industry 

 devoted to the manufacture and preparation of ma- 

 chinery, appliances, preventives, destructives — the artil- 

 lery and ordnance of the great entomological conflict 

 with the insect enemies and invaders of our fields, vine- 

 yards, and forests. It has shown that its beneficent 

 work is one in which all classes are interested, and almost 

 equally with the farmer. The masters of transportation 

 on land and sea, merchants great and small, the people 

 at large, are deeply concerned that American civiliza- 

 tion shall not tamely submit to a remediable evil. Un- 

 disciplined nature is strong, but intelligence is supreme. 

 The flying, creeping things innumerable are mighty foes. 

 But man has been given dominion over all the earth, 

 and modern civilization, which represents the highest 

 type of man, will surely not surrender to the Insecta. 



