It is for tliis special roason tliat I set so much value upon an informal 

 stylo of mcctin.i;', where the assu(;iation can, as it wore, jn'o into commit- 

 tee and a member can not only brinjif specimens for exhibition or iden- 

 tification, but can ask as many short questions as he likes and receive 

 answers at once, together with opinions and comments, if necessary, 

 from all present. Methods of api)lyin,<i" and the most advantageous 

 materials and proportions to be used in the maiuifacture of insecticides, 

 the discussion of new discoveries either of materials or apparatus which 

 may have come prominently before the public during the year, the 

 most convenient modes of collecting, mounting, and preserving mate- 

 rial for study — all these seem to me to be subjects particularly appro- 

 priate for discussion before our association, concerning which, too, 

 information is so badly needed now that the very progress of the science 

 is seriously impeded by the want of it and which I think can not so 

 well be brought up before any other existing body. Now these matters, 

 although small in themselves, when neglected become of great impor- 

 tance, from the negative results which come out of them. I therefore 

 took the liberty of addressing a circular to each member of the associa- 

 tion as well as to all economic entomologists of whom I could lind the 

 postal addresses, requesting them to come to this meeting prepared to 

 derive the greatest possible advantage from intercourse with the emi- 

 nent entomologists resident at Washington and those others who would 

 surely be gathered together here ; also at the same time to try to make 

 the meeting enjoyable to others by favoring us with short notes of their 

 operations during the year. 



I am i)leased to announce that one of our foreign members, Miss 

 Ormerod, has sent us an interesting account of her work during the past 

 year which will be read during the meeting. 



Thanks to the kindness of Professor Riley and the trouble taken 

 by our secretary, Mr. Howard, arrangements have been made that 

 the visiting e'jtomologists may take the greatest advantage of the op- 

 portunities afforded by the meeting being held at Washington, and I 

 would suggest that all should improve this opportunity' by examining 

 and above all by taking copious notes of the various entomological ma- 

 chines, so many of which have originated in the Division of Entomol- 

 ogy, under Professor Kiley. To-morrow a certain time will be devoted 

 to the discussion ot insecticides and the machinery for their application. 

 I am convinced, after manj' failures, that success in treating insects 

 just as much depends upon having the proper apparatus as upon the 

 insecticide used, and I draw your attention now to this subject because 

 of the exceptional advantages ottered here, not only from having the 

 machines to examine, but also the able members of the staff" to explain 

 their uses; for my own part I have found it quite impossible to judge 

 of and compare the merits of these, in many cases, expensive machines, 

 by simply reading the available descriptions, and I think we should 

 make the most of this opportunity. My only regret is that every eco- 



