6 PREFATORY REMARKS. 



scientific men, one of them ranking among the most 

 learned of living entomologists, and I was favoured also 

 with counsel from Miss Ormerod, who, in this country, 

 annually reports on the insects injurious to food crops, 

 forest trees, and fruits, and the prevention of insect 

 ravages. 



The like of Miss Ormerod's form of reporting has 

 never been done for India, although every year to 

 some extent, and from time to time largely, losses occur 

 there from the pests which attack agricultural produce. 

 India has hitherto been remiss in this matter, contenting 

 itself with references as to individual insects or blights 

 to such persons as were thought likely to be able to give 

 information. But the subject is of far too great import- 

 ance to agricultural India to be left to be treated in so 

 casual a manner, and the special knowledge now avail- 

 able might be utilized to describe the insects which injure 

 the agricultural, horticultural, and forest produce of India, 

 suggesting means of preventing, and remedies for same. 



The reports should be restricted rigidly to the injurious 

 insects, and should be half-yearly, to fit in with the two 

 great agricultural seasons. I have, etc., 



EDWAKD BALFOUR, Surgeon General. 



To Surgeon General Edward Balfour, 2 Oxford Square, 

 Hyde Park, W. 



INDIA OFFICE, 

 24th September 1885. 



SIR, I am directed by the Secretary of State for 

 India in Council to acknowledge with thanks your letter 

 of the 8th ultimo, with reference to the preparation of 



