WEEDS AND PLANT PESTS. 



To the extraordinary progress that has been made in Canada in 

 combating insect and weed pests, much credit is due the work of the 

 Botanical and Entomological Divisions of the Experimental Farms 

 system. Himself an authority upon the sciences that underlie the 

 understanding of these enemies of crops and a keen judge of men, 

 Dr. Saunders was able to make a wise choice in the selection of the late 

 Dr. James Fletcher, to take charge of this Branch of the Farms' work. 



Through his entire official career, Dr. Fletcher was constantly on 

 the alert for information through the press, correspondence, public 

 meetings and personal observation, regarding the introduction and 

 ravages of insect enemies and the appearance of weeds of every kind. 

 The pests of other countries were made the objects of study so as to 

 be able to identify and combat them effectively, should they appear 

 within the borders of the Dominion. Collections were being con- 

 tinuously made from material collected in the field, the forest and the 

 orchard and garden, as well as through the kindness of correspondents 

 who applied to the Division for help in their studies of insects and of 

 plants. 



Much time was given to the rearing of insects, eggs or larvae. 

 In this way, an exact knowledge was gained of the preparatory stages 

 of insects, the number of broods and the times of year at which they 

 develop, so as to better devise remedies for injurious species. The 

 information thus gathered was systematically recorded, so that, as 

 time went on a vast fund of most valuable data was accumulated for 

 the benefit of the farmers of the country. 



Equally extensive and complete was the work with plant life. 

 Constant additions were being made to the herbarium from specimens 

 sent in by correspondents for naming, or from donations, and in many 

 instances, fine specimens of rare plants have been acquired by growing 

 the plant from the seed and securing samples at different stages of 

 development. By this constant study and systematic accumulation, 

 the Botanical Division became a museum of the weeds of Canada, of 

 extraordinary completeness, and in his capacity, of Dominion En- 

 tomologist, Dr. Fletcher was an authority of the highest order, who 

 was ever being appealed to from all quarters of the Dominion. 



Through the press, the public platform, and by bulletins and re- 

 ports, the information gathered was being constantly given out until 

 the great majority of the farmers, who have studied their calling, are 

 able to identify the various pests and apply an effective remedy. 



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