DESTRUCTION OF CROPS BY INSECTS. 241 



that have attacked the wheat in that State. One hollows out the berry, and the 

 other works in the straw just above the joint. The same gentleman, who is an ac- 

 complished entomologist, by the way, in the Michigan Agricultural College, gives 

 some observations upon a new and very injurious enemy to the apple, which has 

 received the disgusting name of apple maggot, that does its work mainly after the 

 fruit is gathered in the fall. From past experience we are warranted in expecting 

 other troublers of the kind in the years to come. Fruit growers are x-eady to accept 

 as their motto. Eternal vigilance is the price of good fruit, and the sentiment is 

 scarcely less appi'opriate as applied to grain-growing. But what is to be done 

 about it? is the question that involuntarily arises when the subject of insect depre- 

 cations is presented. To many it seems a hopeless and useless task to fight these 

 tiny foes. A few years ago it did appear useless indeed io enter the combat, but 

 science, investigation and experiment have come to the i-escue, and now we have 

 effective weapons against nearly all the tribes that have been long enough among 

 us to allow of studying their habits and learning their likes and dislikes. By 

 means of lime, ashes, tobacco decoctions, Paris green, London purple, hellebore, 

 pyrethrum, kerosene emulsions, sulphur, copperas, etc., we may keep most of the 

 pests from swarming upon and overwhelming our crops of fruit and grain. 



But the fight is a severe and expensive one where it must be carried on single 

 handed, and especially when we fight in the dark, that is without knowing our 

 enemy's strength and tactics. And here is the point and purpose of my essay : 



Our farmers and fruit growers need information regarding the insect enemies 

 that have been alluded to, and ought to be advised as to the best means of warding 

 off their attacks. In other words ihey need the services of a competent entomolo- 

 gist to whom they may send any suspicious looking insects for name and remedy, 

 if noxious. They need to be informed regarding the insect-eating birds, both native 

 and imported. Many of our insectivorous birds, the swallows, for example, are 

 supposed to be as fond of bees and other useful insects, as of those that are injuri- 

 ous. The Engli.sh .sparrow is believed by the President of our State Horticultural 

 Society, who is usually good authority in horticultural matters, to be an insect- 

 eating bird, while other authorities assert that this bird eats insects only when grain, 

 buds and other vegetable food can not be found. Our farmers need to have this 

 and similar questiotis solved, by the investigations of some per.-;on qualified and 

 paid for the work. The best remedies for each insect and the best modes of appli- 

 cation, amounts required, the descriptions of friendly insects, or those that destroy 

 the injurious kinds, and much other information regarding the subject of insect 

 economy can best be given by a competent entomologist under pay of the State. 



It may be objected that the employment of an entomologist for Indiana involves 

 an unnecessary expense, since we have such an officer in the Department of Ag- 

 riculture at WH.shington, and neighboring States have men employed in studying 

 up the same insects that are to be found in our State. A legislator of an econom- 

 ical turn of mind might ask why not buy the reports of these gentlemen and get all 

 the information they have gained, at a merely nominal co.st .■" It is true that tiie Il- 

 linois, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri entomological reports might be thus utilized, 

 as well as those of the United States Agricultural Department, but we dislike to be 



16 — Agriculture. 



