206 LETTERS TO DR. FLETCHER [CHAP. xix. 



allowed to drip. Some of the good people seem to have an 

 idea that they cannot have too much of a good thing, and 

 results are dismal. 



I am getting on as steadily as business allows with my 

 new Manual. There are many new papers, and such 

 subjects as Wireworm, Hop aphis, and others come out 

 almost as new papers when the information which has been 

 contributed piece-meal or in Special Reports, is sifted, and 

 the information arranged in order. I am replacing figures 

 that were not all that could be wished, with new ones. I am 

 very anxious indeed to bring out what may be a really sound, 

 up-to-date book, of our most important observations here. 

 I think it will be about a quarter longer than my present 

 edition, and " demy " instead of " crown " 8vo., so that it 

 may be of comely form. 



Economic Entomology is really doing better here. Out- 

 Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland are looking 

 about for an Entomologist, and this is a good step. [Dr. 

 Stewart MacDougall was appointed to fill the office.] 



December 23, 1890. 



I have at once replied to your inquiry as shortly as I 

 could manage, for I know how valuable space is, but 

 indeed I shall be quite hurt and annoyed ! and your 

 report will not give a right view ! unless you say that we 

 applied to you, and that our work was in colleagueship. I 

 really do not know whether I could have worked as was 

 requisite, unless I could have had the advantage of being 

 able to quote from your letters. 



February 2, 1891. 



Would you think me very greedy if I were to ask you 

 for another copy of the " Proceedings of the Convention 

 of Fruitgrowers," 1890. It would be a most acceptable help 

 to the Evesham Fruit Experiment Committee. I should 

 very much like them to read what you say about Paris- 

 green, &c., but I am afraid if they had my copy it might 

 not come home again. I have formed a short paper on 

 " Paris-Green, its Uses and Method of Application for Pre- 

 vention of Orchard Moth Caterpillars." I think it is all 

 right, I have been very careful and plain, and I thought we 

 must have some directions out before the season's work 

 begins. We are finding wingless Winter moths and some 

 other kinds going up the trees now, and this shows that there 

 is no good trusting only to grease banding, for we should 

 have really to grease from October to April to catch all the 

 offenders ! Our intermittent frosts let the creatures appear 



