112 ANNUAL REPORT 



see that this problem is one of great political and economic im- 

 portance, and one worthy the consideration ot oar best states- 

 men, and the fact that we have legislators even who sneer at 

 the word bug and at the stndy of bugs, and research in the mat- 

 ter of insect despoliation, shows that we have weeds in our legis- 

 lative halls as well as in our own gardens. The latter are plants 

 out of place; the former men out of place." 



I sometimes fear that nothing less than a plague of the Hes- 

 sian fly, wheat midge, cut worm, or army worm, will induce oui- 

 legislature to make suitable appropriations for carrying on the 

 investigations of insect depredations so much needed at the 

 present time in our state. I quote from Prof. WinchelFs report: 

 •'I would recommend renewed effort be made to secure an ap- 

 propriation by the State Legislature for the necessary expense 

 of a state entomologist." 



TREE PEDDLERS. 



From correspondence received the past season I judge the 

 "festive" tree agent has been working his old racket, passing 

 his wares upon the unsuspecting grangers, mechanics and artis- 

 ans, ill all walks of life. As a class they have their stories well 

 learned; very winning are their descriptions of all they have, so 

 fine, so cheap, and so hardy, and many of tliem have more 

 "cheek" than a government mule. We do not oppose or ignore 

 honest dealing, but when we find their stock in most cases en- 

 tirely uuadapted to the localities in which it is to be planted, 

 much of it dead before deliverj^, never leaving out, and what 

 survives the summer is sure to die the coming winter, and the 

 prices from four to six times higher than any reliable nursery- 

 man's, w^e think they should be discountenanced by all classes 

 interested in the future welfare of our State, If their stock was 

 passably hardy or adapted to the localities in which it was to 

 be planted it would be much better. It is estimated that there 

 has been over $200,000 worth of all kinds of nursery stock dis- 

 posed of in our State the past year; fully one-half unfitted for 

 this climate. This money parted with for trash, worse than 

 thrown away, gives catise for discouragement to many new 

 beginners in fruit growing and home adornment. 



If there is any class of commerce that needs attention and reg- 

 ulation by legislation at the present time in the interests of the 

 taxijayers, it should be for the suppression of this dissembler. 



