212 REPOKT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



(5) To obtaiu incontestible results by intelligent experiments on scien- 

 tific metliods, as to the capacity of bees, under exceptional circum- 

 stances, to injure fruit; i. e., to set at rest the ever-discussed questiou 

 of bees vs. fruit. 



A report from Mr. McLain is published Avith the other reports of 

 agents, wherein interesting discussions will be found on various subjects, 

 such as economy in the production of wax, on wintering bees, but i>ar- 

 ticularly on artificial fertilization and on the question of bees vs. fruit. 



The question as to whether bees really injure fruit or not at first hand 

 is one that has been strenuously argued pro and con, and the position 

 taken has been, without much doubt, more or less influenced by the in- 

 terest of the writer, the fruit-grower as a rule taking the affirmative and 

 the bee-keeper the negative position. The difficulty of getting unbiased 

 results has been great, because of the difficulty m producing at vrill 

 those exceptional conditions under which injury to fruit has been ordi- 

 narily reported, and 1 believe that never before have the same pains and 

 care been expended on an experiment as have been given by IMr. McLain 

 in that he re])Oits, the methods antl precautions in which I have per- 

 sonally examined, endeavoring to provide for all possible contingeucies. 

 The exj^eriments show i)retty conclusively that bees do not injure fruit 

 at first hand, and this fact is in keeping with the structure of the man- 

 dibles as compared with those of wasps (Vespidce) which are generally 

 charged with the real injury. 



Mr. McLain also gives some figures to show the great importance of 

 apiculture, and while there is need for more careful statistics of this 

 industry, I believe these can better be obtained through the agency of 

 the statistical Division of the Department than through -this special 

 agency. 



So far as the limits allowed for this report have permitted, I have 

 added, under the title of "ISTotes of the year," briei'er references to a 

 few of the insects that have attracted attention, as evidenced by the 

 correspondence of tlie Division. 



The labors of Mr. H. G. Hubbard, on the insects affecting the orange 

 tree, have been concluded in Florida, and his report has been prepared 

 and the page proof all read, and since last September the whole work 

 has been waiting to be put to press. The fourth Eeport of the U. S. 

 Entomological Commission, viz., my final report on the Cotton-worm 

 and Boll-worm, has also been completed since last summer, and is 

 slowly going through the press. 



Dr. Packard has continued his special work on forest insects, his 

 summer investigations having been made chiefly in Maine. A brief 

 report from him on some of the insects studied is included. 



Mr. Lawrence Bruner, in addition to the special work upon which he 

 has reported, has continued work, in conjunction with myself, on the 

 family of destructive locusts {Acridid(c), and otherwise to act as age Jit 

 of the Division at West Point, Nebraska. 



Prof. Herbert Osborn has been appointed to represent the Division 

 at Ames, Iowa, and Miss M. E. Murtfeldt and Mr. J. G. Barlow have 

 made special investigations during the summer. 



The exhibit of economic entomology prepared for the Xew Orleans 

 Exposition has been returned. The injury, unavoidable in the trans- 

 portation of such fragile objects, has been made good, and the collection 

 deposited in the National Museum for permanent keeping, in accord- 

 ance with the policy hitherto adopted by the Division in reference to 

 museum material. I may state in this connection that, with a view of 



