44 AynvaL REpPorT. cnt 
We, the horticulturists of Minnesota, will do our best to realize ghieas 
anticipations. We have proved that we can raise apples and we hope to 
plenty of them. The change in the condition of horticulture is hardly grea 
than ih the city of Minneapolis, since I first placed foot in 1t, crossing the river 
by ferry. You, therefore, can hardly be as proud to entertain us as we are ‘@ 
be entertained by the city of Minneapolis. 
MR. MENDENHALL’S PAPER. 
At the close of these remarks a recess of ten minutes was taken 
to examine the fruit and other articles on exhibition. Upon com- 
ing to order Mr. Mendenhall was called upon tor his paper on 
destructive insects, which he read as follows: 
CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY WORMS. 
Importance of the Currant and Gooseberry. 
As our climate does not admit of our growing all varieties of fruits without 
great expense, it behooves us, by judicious culture, tu bring to the greatest per- 
fection, as to quality and productiveness, such kinds as do succeed here. Among 
these the ‘‘small fruits’’-—currants, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries and 
cranberries are our main dependence, and seldom utterly fail. 
I put currants and gooseberries at the head of the list, on account of their 
hardiness, productiveness, marketable qualities and general excellence. Both 
these fruits are easily grown, and while they richly repay any extra care that may 
be bestowed upon them, will bear neglect, in matters of soil and situation, better 
than most other kinds. One sort of neglect, however, these shrubs will not long 
survive, and that is, neglect of their insect enemies. 
It is my purpose at this time to call attention to some of the more conspicuous 
currant and gooseberry pests, from whose ravages our plants have already suff- 
ered or are likely to suffer within a few years. In order to guard against, or to 
fight advantageously any insect foe, it is very necessary that we should become 
acquainted with its appearance, its transformation and its habits. Wecan then 
strike at the most vulnerable point, and with vigilance and perseverance effect 
its practical extermination. 
Imported Currant Worm—History. 
The most destructive of all currant pests is the ‘‘imported currant worm,’’ the 
larva of a medium-sized saw-fly called by entomologists nematus ventricosus. 
This insect was introduced into this country at several different points upon 
plants imported by nurserymen from Europe. ‘These unconscious importers, in 
ignorance of the habits of the insect. failed to take proper precautions against it, 
and dearly have they had to pay since for their carelessness. Like many other 
imported pests (its natural enemies having been left behind in the voyage across 
the Atlantic) it multiplied with much greater rapidity in this country than it had 
ever done in Europe, and in 1865, four or five years after its first appearance, it 
had spread widely over the eastern States, and caused a great diminution in the 
currant crop. By 1868 both currants and gooseberries were nearly a failure 
