INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS. 351 



their preservation are observed. We have seen fruit rooms in a 

 dry cellar with northern exposure, where fruits have kept admir- 

 ably through the winter, where Duchesse d'Angoulcme and 

 Beurr(i d'Anjou pears have kept fresh to January, and early 

 winter apples equally well to April or May. 



In conclusion, wc therefore would repeat and enforce the 

 necessity of adhering to the following rules as indispensable to 

 success for the perfect preservation of fruits, viz., sound and per- 

 fect fruit, cool pure atmosphere and exclusion of light, control 

 of temperature and moisture, constant and careful supervision. 



Marshall P. Wilder, 

 J. F. C. Hyde, 

 Asa Clement, 

 Wm. Knowlton, 



Committee. 



The following is the paper submitted to and accepted by the 

 Board, as the 



FIRST REPORT ON THE INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL 

 INSECTS OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



BY A. S. PACKARD, JR., M. D., 

 Entomologist to the State Board of Agriculture. 



IMPORTANCE TO AGRICULTURISTS OF A KNOWLEDGE OF INSECTS. 



In presenting my first annual report on the insects of our 

 State injurious to vegetation, or in any way affecting human 

 interests, it may not be out of place to state some facts, showing 

 the importance to farmers of a knowledge of the habits and 

 appearance of the insects with which they have to contend in 

 •their farming and gardening operations. 



In the first place, however, we must not forget the good done 

 by insects. They undoubtedly tend by their attacks to prevent 

 an undue growth of vegetation. The pruning done to a tree 

 or herb by certain insects undoubtedly causes a more healthy 

 growth of the branches and leaves, and ultimately a greater pro- 

 duction of fruit. Again, as pollen-bearers, insects are a most 

 powerful agency in nature. It is undoubtedly the fact that the 

 presence of bees in orchards increases the fruit crop, and the 

 thousands of moths, wild bees and other insects, that seem to 



