OP THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 2T 



our foes, so as to avoid the blunders of one of Dr. Fitch's neighbors 

 who complained that his currant bushes were suffering from plant- 

 lice ten times worse than those of his neighbors, notwithstanding be- 

 took "the greatest pains every morning to kill off the old ones they 

 breed from." Upon inquiry the Doctor ascertained that his worthy 

 neighbor had busied himself in killing, not the aphides or plant-lice, 

 but the ladybirds {Coccinellidce) or plant-louse devourers that eat and 

 drink plant-lice, have plant-lice for breakfast, dinner and supper, and 

 are no more capable of breeding plant-lice than a lion is of breeding 

 lambs. 



It will be observed that in both these methods of fighting noxious 

 insects — whether of prevention or cure — an accurate knowledge of 

 the nature and of the habits of each particular species is absolutely 

 necessary. It is the all-essential, the basis and groundwork on which 

 every intelligent experiment must rest. It therefore hecomes the 

 duty of the economic entomologist jorimarily to study and give to 

 the world accurate accounts, with descriptions^ of such insects, 

 whether friends or foes^ as more particularly concern the husband- 

 man ! 



DUTIES OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Many persons, not familiar with the facts here set forth, have no 

 doubt wondered what can possibly be the duties of a State Ento- 

 mologist; while in the minds of not a few the idea prevails that he 

 is to catch and kill, or by some means rid the State of, all vermin. 

 As if by the power of an Aaron's wand or the magic best of a mighty 

 Mulciber, he could perform the Augean task of clearing the land of 

 insect plagues! It may not be amiss, therefore, to briefly define his 

 duties. 



Broadly speaking, insects are ten times as numerous in individuals 

 and species as all other animals combined, and it is estimated that, on 

 an average, there are five insects to one plant in any given area. From 

 calculations which I have elsewhere made, {Am. Ent. II, p. 258,) it 

 would require the entire working life of eighty-three persons, at a 

 cost of one hundred and twenty-six million dollars, to describe and 

 figure, in all four stages, the insects of the world. Insufficient as the 

 estimate doubtless is, it will serve to convey some idea of the magni- 

 tude of the subject of entomology. 



Where the field is so wide, the labors must be divided, and the 

 comparatively few insects which particularly interest the producer 

 are more than sufficient to occupy one man's time. The farmer, as a 

 rule, has neither the means nor the opportunity to pursue the requi- 

 site studies; hence the wisdom of having a State officer for the pur- 

 pose. 



Such an officer should make an annual report, which should reflect 

 the experience and observations of the year. Such a report, if well 



