200 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION. 



jured by "insect pests. These injuries may be so conspicuous as to 

 force themselves upon our notice or they may be so hidden and in- 

 sidious as to escape detection except by the most observant. The 

 farmer may suffer heavy financial loss, or because of the higher 

 price which comes as a result of a shortness in the crop, he may be 

 only slightly affected. In the latter case the general public become 

 the suffers, but in all cases, losses through depredations of insects 

 come out of the coffers of man, if not out of his daily bread. 



Considering the great agricultural possibilities of this state, 

 together with the fact that, incidental to commercial practices, in- 

 jurious insects new to this region are constantly liable to introduc; 

 tion, it is very important that every possible means be imployed to 

 prevent the introduction and spread of pests of all horticultural and 

 agricultural plants. 



All rational means of defense against injuries from animals of 

 this class are based on a more or less intimate knowledge of the life 

 history and habits of the insects. It is apparent, therefore, that as 

 a defensive measure the acquiring of a knowledge of life histories of 

 the insect destroyers of our crops is of great practical value and 

 must always precede quarantine and medical work. 



Again, in order that investigations may be safeguarded against 

 danger of becoming narrow and losing their practical setting, it is 

 obviously necessary that they be conducted not only in the entomolo- 

 gist's office or in one locality, but in the field and throughout the 

 state. 



Realizing the truth of these statements the Entomological De- 

 partment of the Experiment Station is centralizing its efforts on the 

 accumulation of information regarding species of insects that are 

 now or may become injurious and, obedient to the Act of the Eighth 

 Legislative Assembly, whereby the office of State Entomologist was 

 created, is making its observations and conducting its experiments 

 in all parts of the state. 



