70 ANNUAL REPORT 



of illustrating, as you suggest. My report will, therefore, be ot 

 more general character, and I have thought to give you some 

 short review of the progress of entomology of late years, with 

 some special reference to this state. 



All along, as your entomologist, I have felt the difificuly of 

 properly fulfilling my duty as such, as most of my time is given 

 to the study of systematic entomology, or no entomology at all, 

 and I have had very few opportunities to give my attention to 

 the economic side of the study, which alone is of much interest 

 to the, Society. I would, therefore, now respectfully ask you to 

 state to the Society that I do not wish to be re-elected, but 

 that this oflice will now go into the hands of Prof. Lugger, who 

 without all question is the proper person, as he is now giving 

 his whole time and energy just to those questions that are of 

 special interest to the Society. Prof. Lugger has my warmest 

 recommendations to the position. 



I shall still be pleased to continue with the Society, at least as 

 a member in paying my annual fees, and to take some part in 

 your meetings that I have begun to take much interest in. 



I am yours truly, 



O. W. Oestlund. 



FEOM WASHINGTON^. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

 Division of Pomology, 

 Washington, D. C, Dec. 29, lb88. 



8. D. Hillmcm, 'Secretary, etc., 



Dear Sir: Your letter of the twenty-fourth instant and the 

 program of your next annual meeting have just been received. 



Each year since my appointment to this office it has been my 

 hope to meet with your Society and each time, including the 

 present one, I have been disappointed. But I wish to repeat 

 the exj)ression of my desire and assure the members of your 

 Society that I have not forgotten my promises. 



The peculiar conditions of your climate are such as to call for 

 the exercise of all the abilities that the scientist and the practi- 

 cal horticulturist possess. So far as my work is concerned I 

 want you to feel that I am your servant and at your command. 



There are certain fruits, among which might be named the 

 apple, that are of doubtful success in Minnesota; although there 



