EEl'OKT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTUKE. 13 



Til e work of tlie Entomological Division during the year may be classi- 

 jicd under four lieails: 



1 . I'^iuislung the investigation of insects injurious to tlie cotton i>l;iiit, 

 l!C.uun last year under special appropriation of Congress, and pri'|)ariug 

 I!!) extended report upon its results. 



1'. liearing to the perfect stage new or little known injurious insects 

 lor the purpose of gaining a knowledge of their habits and trausforuia- 

 tious whicli shall facilitate the suggestion of remedies. 



o. Tiic conducting of an extended correspondence relative to noxious 

 insects. 



4. The raising of different varieties of silli-worms with a view of ex- 

 l>crinienting : lirst, upon the, most approved methods of rearing; and, 

 second, upon food-plants, carefully comparing the Osage orange with 

 tlie different varieties of mulberry. Also the distribution to all appli- 

 cants. 



The investigation of insects injurious to the cotton iilant has been com- 

 pleted. Professor Comstock, having been engaged in this investigation 

 from its beginning, was able to take charge of it without material loss 

 of time. A trained observer was sent into the field early in May, where 

 he remained until the middle of September, carrying on extensive experi- 

 ments upon remedies and clearing up mooted i^oints in the life histories 

 of the cotton- worm and the boll worm. 



Work on this report has been rapidly progressing, and it is hoped and 

 believed that the facts therein contained will enable the Southern planters 

 to render these enemies to their staple crop sources of much less damage 

 than heretofore. 



As regards tlie rearing of new or little-known injurious insects, the 

 division has studied since IMay 1 the following: 



Species. 



Of iusocts iulestiug the apjyle 17 



peach 7 



oraugo 5 



pear 2 



gvapo 11 



raspberry 1 



6t rawherry 1 



corn 3 



ca] )bago 3 



melon 1 



tobacco , 1 



grassoa 9 



clover ;}f) 



piue 16 



locust l.j 



oalc 13 



ninplo , 3 



luisccilajieoi'.s shade-trees 15 



rfr>isoiiTTi nests , 7 



iMoiiy of tliese insects are treated of in the aniMial report of the en- 

 tomologist. Others will require the additional stiuly of another season, 



