62 



two parts. The tirst, upou economical entomology, giving an acconnt of all that 

 has been ascertained respecting the insects infesting our frnit trees, and any other 

 injurions species that may have been obtained. The second, upon scientific ento- 

 mology, giving a systematically arranged catalogue of all the insects of the State, 

 so far as they are known, with a brief description of such new and undescribed as 

 may be discovered. 



The work should he pursued with a view of eventually securing to the State as 

 full and complete accounts of all the insects of this State as far as to place this 

 important science (which is at the present so greatly in the background, and so 

 partially and imperfectly explored on this side of the Atlantic) in as perfect a 

 position and as favorable a situation for being acquired as its nature will admit of. 

 Should there be time, in addition to the above, to perform other labor, it is desired — 



Thirdly, that a commencement should be made in writing out full descriptions of 

 the species pertaining to some partcular order, with observations upon the time of 

 appearing, habits, etc., with a view of future publication, so as to secure a complete 

 account of all the insects of the State pertaining to that order. 



Lastly, suits of specimens to fully illustrate both the economical and scientific 

 entomology of the State should be gathered in connection with the other parts of 

 Ibis work, to be placed in the Cabinet of Natural History; and in the Agricultural 

 Museum specimens of the wood, leaves, and fruits; and other substances depre- 

 dated upon by each and every species of our noxious insects, showing the galls 

 or other excrescences which they occasion, the holes or burrows which they exca- 

 vate, the webs ur other coverings for themselves which they construct, with pre- 

 served specimens of the worms, caterpillars, etc., by which each of these deform- 

 ities is produced. 



Such further examination as Dr. Fitch may deem necessary to carry out fully the 

 objects desired to be accomplished, as from time to time may be deemed advisable, 

 the committee desire may be made. 



William Kelly, 

 B. F. Johnson, 



Committee. 



Dr. Fitcli, while not ofificially designated as State entomologist of 

 New York, was always given this title by courtesy, and continued in 

 office until 1871 or 1872, Avhen his fourteenth report was published, 

 and when the infirmities of age affected him to such an extent that he 

 <30uld no longer continue his investigations. The reports were published 

 in the Transactions of the State Agricultural Society from 1854 to 

 1870, skipping the years 1859, 1865, and 1868. The first eleven have 

 been published separately, as well as in the transactions of the society. 

 In 1873, through an appropriation by the State legislature, provision 

 was made for the revision and republication of the reports, and the 

 revision was completed by Dr. Fitch. The resolution for printing, 

 however, failed of the concurrence of the senate, and since that time 

 the manuscript has been lost. 



The value of Dr. Fitch's labors has been very great. In his fourteen 

 reports the great majority of the injurious insects of the State of New 

 York received more or less detailed consideration, and in the majority 

 of cases the life histories of the insects treated were worked out with 

 great care and detail. The remedial measures suggested by Dr. Fitch 

 have, however, been largely improved upon, and the practical value of 

 these reports today rests almost entirely upon the life-history side. 



