CHAPTER XIV. 



INSECTS. 



When the preparation of this work was undertaken, 

 the author desired to make it as perfect as possible in all 

 its parts. He very soon discovered, from his own observa- 

 tions in the orchard, that one of the greatest difficulties 

 we all have to contend against in fruit-growing, was the 

 ravages committed upon our fruits and fruit-trees by hosts 

 of noxious insects. 



Here then was a new branch of investigation, a new 

 field of study to be entered. He was not an entomolo- 

 gist, nor could he gain any assistance from his friends who 

 were such, because, though they were scientific, and able to 

 assist him in names and descriptions of the insects present- 

 ed, still they were not practical entomologists; their 

 knowledge of these creatures was purely scientific, and 

 while they could descant learnedly upon the systems set 

 up by the great masters of the science, for the most per- 

 fect classification of insects, they could render us practi- 

 cal men but little aid in combatting our insect foes. Great 

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