REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 15 



being put into sucli form as shall best insure its preservation and access- 

 ibility. 



Wlieuever, during the year, word has been received of any insect 

 irruption of i)articular interest, an assistant has been sent to tlie spot to 

 make observations, or a local observer has been employed, to insure a 

 thorough investigation of causes and a more intelligent suggestion of 

 remedies. 



In addition to the usual work of the Entomological Division during the 

 next season, a series of exi)eriments wUl be instituted for the purpose of 

 utilizing the knowledge obtained in applying remedies of various kinds. 

 The results, with all known facts, will be collated into an accessible form 

 for general distribution. This wiU be a work of considerable magnitude ; 

 but it is one which, if well done, will prove of the greatest benefit. 



At present, what is known about remedies is scattered through the 

 great number of published volumes and agricultural periodicals. Much 

 of it is doubtless valuable, and much is worthless. It is proposed to 

 critically try, so far as is possible, all of the more imi^ortant remedies, 

 and to publish in compact form the results. 



The habits of and remedies for insects injurious to the orange will be 

 made a si)ecial study. The numerous communications received from 

 orange-growers in California and Florida upon this point during the past 

 year have revealed the fact that here is an almost unexplored field to 

 the economic entomologist, and that it is of the greatest importance that 

 some earnest and intelligent work, backed by sulficient means, should 

 be done in this direction at once. 



It is designed to resume and continue upon a large scale the biological 

 collection begun in 187G and discontinued since then, which shall illus- 

 trate, when completed, the natural history and habits of all of the inju- 

 rious insects of the United States; and also to make small biological 

 collections, illustrating our more common injurious insects, for distribu- 

 tion to the agricultural colleges throughout the country, so far as the 

 appropriations will admit. 



The division has never been better prepared to do efficient work than 

 at present ; but several assistants and an additional clerical force are 

 necessary to meet promptly the increased demands for information. 



STATISTICAL DIVISION. 



The arduous work of this division has been most vigorously prose- 

 cuted by the small force now at its disi)0sa]. 



As will be observed by reference to the detailed report of the statisti- 

 cian, it has a very large and rapidly increasing correspondence, both 

 foreign and domestic. 



The number of correspondents is now considerably in excess of four 

 thousand. They have been selected with an eye to their intelligence, 

 experience, and geaeral fitness for the, <lu(ies which devolve upon them. 

 Most of their communications consist of replies to queries propounded 



