STATE HORTICULTUBA.L SOCIETY. 297 



mology. He had made a series of observations and many collections during the 

 previous summer, on the insect injuries to the cabbage, uuder the direction of Prof. 

 Porter, at the Experimental Farm of the State University. The observations were 

 put into completed form and were published in the annual report of the survey for 

 1S84. I have had some favorable comments on the quality of that work from ento- 

 mologists of other states. In the forthcoming annual report of the survey for 

 1885, he will have a paper on the aphidoe of the State, with some original obser- 

 vations and notes on new species. If the Society desire a wide dissemination of 

 these notes among its members and all fruit-growers, it might be well to have 

 them printed in the annual report of this Society. The paper which Mr. Oestlund 

 will present at this meeting of the Society will give some interesting facts on the 

 biology of the aphidre, the result of his work in the laboratory of the survey. 



Now, 1 have a few reflections, and simple recommendations to make touching the 

 prosecution of this work. It is obviously a desideratum with the Society that this 

 investigation continue. It is calculated to give valuable information to the horti- 

 culturists of the state. It is at your instance that more elaborate study is given to 

 entomolog}' than heretofore. It is but just,lthen, that you should share in the cost. 



These investigations require time and patience. They can only be carried on by 

 the aid of apparatus for collecting, for examination and preservation. They demand 

 a wide range of reference to books, for comparison and determination of species. 

 As has been said the funds of the survey will not admit of the full equipment of 

 this department. Some examinations have to be delayed, and some have to be 

 omitted entirely, from lack of authorities and descriptions which have before been 

 published. The literature of entomology is very great, and it should be at the com- 

 mand of the student. No scientific investigator will work in the dark, and travel 

 over ground which has been gone over by others. At least he should not be com- 

 pelled to, when his predecessor^' results have all been published for his informa- 

 tion. 



It is, therefore, in my opinion, not asking too much of you to suggest that you 

 set aside the sum of $100 for the purchase of some necessary books and pam- 

 phlets for the use of the entomologist. These can be added to your Society library, 

 now on deposit at the Agricultural College building, and they would not only 

 increase' the value of your collection, but would be accessible to all who desire to 

 study entomology. 



I would recommend, further, that renewed effort be made to secure an appropri- 

 ation by the State Legislature for the necessary expenses of a state entomologist. So 

 long as the entomologist is an attached simply of the laboratory of the geological sur- 

 vey, and cannot devote himself entirely to that science which he is expected to prose- 

 cute, all his observations will be fragmentary, his studies will be incomplete, and 

 his conclusions likely to be of less value, if not wholly erroneous. Long continued 

 and uninterrupted observations, throughout a whole summer, or several summers, 

 are necessary to warrant him in giving answers to many of the questions that are 

 presented to him. Through the winter he must study his collections, collate his 

 notes, mount his cabinet specimens and prepare his annual report. 



Thanking you for the honor of having served the Society during the year past. 



