11 



" Moreover, the farmers hav^e been asking help from us with reference 

 to two or three insect pests that appeared in larger numbers than usual the 

 past season ; I refer to the grasshoppers and blister beetles. 



" That our Society is winning its way into favour is shown by the fact 

 that the Chairman of tlie section on agricultural resources of 

 the National Commission on Conservation of Natural Resources 

 has invited this Society to co-operate with him in the inves- 

 tigation of the insect, fungus, and weed pests of one or two 

 areas in this province. By a thorough study of these pests of a district it 

 is believed that practical methods can be devised whereby much loss may 

 be averted, not only in the particular district studied but also over the entire 

 country when aided by grants from the Commission. I believe the Premier, 

 Sir Lomer Gouin, expressed his entire willingness to have our Society co- 

 operate with the Commission in any earnest effort to get control over the 

 pests which are inflicting millions of dollars of loss annually. 



*' Here is an excellent opportunity to show the value of a Society such 

 as ours. If we can make an investigation of such a careful nature in a 

 to^vnship that we can show approximately the loss every year from weeds, 

 insects and fungi ; how these are spread and how they may be prevented 

 from spreading; the effect of different systems of farming on their control; 

 the influence of drainage and rotation of crops on the development of the 

 pests, etc., the commission will have a good basis for extended action in 

 other parts of the country, and will be in a position to ask the Parliament of 

 Canada for funds to carry on the work. 



'■ Several of our members have been doing good work during the past 

 year. Mr. Swaine has been investigating the bark beetles that work so 

 much damage to forest trees, and gave addresses before the Montreal 

 Florists' Club and the Pomological Societj' on injurious insects. I, myself, 

 spent four or five days studying the weeds of the Eastern Townships; I 

 gave tvvo addresses before the ^Montreal Florists' Club on the Fungous Dis- 

 eases Affecting Greenhouse Plants, an address before the vegetable growers 

 of Cote des Neiges. and an address before the Montreal Women's Club on 

 the Care of Shade Trees. Others, doubtless, have helped along the move- 

 ment for which our Society stands by giving addresses and talks on the 

 more injurious pests before gatherings of various sorts. 



"It is the privilege of the President to roam at will in his address. 

 T have used my privilege and have touched upon many things that ought to 

 interest you. In conclusion. I shall refer briefly to the present tendencies 

 in the study and investigation of plant diseases and insect pests. 



