The portion now submitted contains also the introduction which 

 forms a brief treatise on the insect class, giving an outline of the classi- 

 fication, and an explanation of such scientific terms as must neces- 

 sarily be used, though, so far as possible, I have used plain, unscientific 

 language, avoiding the use of technical terms ; it contains the descrip- 

 tions and brief accounts of the history, habits, and best remedies 

 known of something over one hundred species of Illinois insects, 

 which are more or less injurious to useful vegetation. 



The great object constantly in view has been to make it thorough- 

 ly practical and useful to those for whom it was intended; and hence 

 I have made no attempt to advance new theories, display scientific 

 knowledge, describe new species or in any manner whatever present 

 anything for the special benefit of Entomologists or Scientists; nor 

 have I hesitated, whenever I could make it useful to do so, to break 

 over prescribed rules, mix indiscriminately generic and specific char- 

 acters in descriptions and to use freely the work of others, weaving 

 together the facts ascertained by others and myself, as well as my 

 own opinions and the opinions of others without stopping to mark 

 the 'boundary line between them. I have aimed at two things only 

 in this work, to make it practically useful, and, so far as it goes, cor- 

 rect. That I may not do injustice to any co-laborer in this branch of 

 science, I will, before concluding this letter, make proper acknowl- 

 edgements to all who have assisted me and from whose works I have 

 derived aid. 



If I am continued in office I propose to finish this work as soon as 

 possible, and would therefore recommend that the portion now pre- 

 sented be properly illustrated, which can be done at comparatively 

 small expense, as many of the stereotypes used for Dr. LeBaron's 

 fourth report can be used in this. It should also be paged separately 

 and a large edition published so that it can be bound up with the 

 remaining portion when printed. 



The report herewith presented contains also, several special papers 

 on species which have called the attention of our agriculturists to 

 them during the past two years by their numbers or the injury they 

 have done. 



At my suggestion the State Horticultural Society at its annual 

 meeting in 1875 appointed a committee to confer with Profs. Forbes, 

 Burril and myself in reference to a plan of co-operation in the culti- 

 vation and management of orchards and nurseries so as best to coun- 

 teract the injurious insects and fungus growths attacking the plants 

 and fruits. A meeting was held at Prof. Forbes's room in the Normal 

 University, in February 1876, Hon. 0. B. Galusha and Mr. D. B. 

 Wier, representing the Horticultural Society, Profs. Forbes, Burril 

 and myself being present. Only one branch of our work was com- 

 pleted, a full account of which will be found in the accompanying re- 

 port. I think it would be well for the suggestions of that conference 

 to be published in the Transactions of the State Agricultural Society 

 that they may be as widely distributed as possible. They are made 

 as brief as possible and will require but few pages. 



Thoroughly convinced that insect-eating birds are very valuable 

 aids in reducing the number of injurious insects, I feel it a duty to 

 call your attention to this subject. 



