1922 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 53 



economic entomology in its relation with fruit growing only, but the Dominion 

 Entomologist suggested that I should widen its scope and deal with economic 

 entomology in general, with special references to fruit-growing. I have, indeed, 

 no pretention of 'being an entomologogist, but primarily a pomologist. Fruit- 

 growing in one of its important phases, spraying and dusting trees, is intimately 

 related with economic entomology. That was a sufficient reason to become a 

 practical entomologist in my leisure hours. 



As I said, our two societies mentioned above are intimately related, the 

 scope of their endeavours coming into contact on more than one point. Econ- 

 omic entomology is that phase of entomology which relates to the control of 

 injurious insects. Considering the great variety of insect forms, their diverse 

 methods of food habits, the larger number of kinds of hosts which supply them 

 with food, and the enemies which tend to destroy them, it becomes evident that 

 the problem of insect control is a complex one. "The subject matter of this 

 science is not insects alone, nor plants alone, nor farming alone. One may be 

 a most excellent entomologist or botanist, or he may have the whole theory and 

 practice of agriculture at his tongue's end, and at his finger's end as well, and yet 

 be without knowledge or resources' when (brought face to face with a new practical 

 problem in economic entomology. The subject is essentially the relation of 

 things to each other; of insect to plant and of plant to insect, and of both 

 these to the purposes and operations of the farm or orchard, and it involves 

 some knowledge of them all." This definition by Dr. S. A. Forbes of economic ento- 

 mology in its wider scope suffices to give the reasons why the Province of Quebec 

 has not exclusively an Entomological Society but a Society "For the Protection of 

 Plants from Insects and Fungous Diseases." 



If we go rapidly over the history of our Society we will know what Quebec 

 has done for the advancement of economic entomology in the past decade. 



It is now a little over twelve years ago that the Society was founded with 

 two or three definite objects in view: 



1st. To bring together annually the biological workers of the Province who 

 are interested in the study of economic entomology and fungi. Much inspiration, 

 encouragement and help are gained at such meetings where workers have an 

 opportunity of listening to papers and talking over matters in common. New view- 

 points are presented, valuable information is frequently obtained, concerted action 

 and mutual help are more likely secured, and fresh enthusiasm aroused. 



2nd. To spread abroad among the people the new gospel of insect and plant 

 disease control so that larger crops might be harvested and greater profits 

 secured by the farmer. The need for such was evident from the annual loss to 

 the oat crop of Quebec ,of over two million dollars ; "blights" to the potato crop 

 of over three million dollars ; "scab and codling-moth" pest to the apple crop of 

 over half a million etc. This information is given especially by the Annual 

 Reports, are now in the hands of its members : The Lepidoptera, complied by Mr. 

 printed in both languages, English and French. The twelve reports published up 

 to date have received favorable recommendations from co-workers in the same 

 field of endeavours in other Provinces and the United States. 



3rd. The promotion of sciences of Entomology, Botany and Plant Pathology 

 in the Province of Quebec. Three lists, published as supplements to the Annual 

 Eeports, are now in the hands of its members: The Lepidstera, compiled by Mr. 

 A. F. Winn of Montreal; The Diptera, by Messrs Beaulieu (Montreal) and 

 Winn: the Coleoptera by Mr. C. A. Chagnon. also of Montreal. 



