XIV LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. 



insects in this their unnatural condition, and to carry on experiments with a view of 

 learning how best to control them. Much of the work of the Commission was with 

 these young insects. The losses sustained through the devastations of the pest by a 

 young and struggling frontier population, ill able to bear them, were immense, and 

 there was so much discouragement that hundreds and thousands of persons were on 

 the point of abandoning their new homes. At this juncture the Commission went 

 into the field, and, by its encouraging predictions and recommendations, did much to 

 inspire the people with hope and confidence, and greatly helped to draw westward 

 again the emigration that had stopped. 



All this work, however, interfered with needed investigation into the proper range 

 and native home and breeding-grounds, and some other important questions which 

 can only be properly studied during a normal year, i. e., one in which the insect is con- 

 fined to its native or permanent breeding-grounds. Such a year will be the present 

 (1878), for from our investigations we are able to state with confidence that the 

 people of the more fertile country west of the Mississippi, occasionally termed the 

 border States, will not be troubled with the young insects next spring and summer, and 

 probably not for several years to come. 



It is therefore quite important that the investigations be continued until every ques- 

 tion is settled that human investigation can settle. 



For the proper settlement of some of the questions, the co-operation of the Domin- 

 ion Government is desirable, and has been promised. The work should be made so 

 thorough as to obviate any necessity in future years of creating another commission 

 for the same purpose, and we are desirous of making it thus thorough. 



There are various other insects of national importance of which much has yet to be 

 learned, and, in addition to completing the locust investigation, the Commission pro- 

 pose, during the coming year, with proper aid from Congress, to study and report on 

 some of these worst enemies of our agriculture. They are especially desirous of report- 

 ing on the Cotton "Worm and other cotton insects of the South, which, though often 

 so disastrous to the cotton crop, have never been fully studied, and as to the mere 

 natural history of which acre are yet many mysteries and conflicting theories. 



Much has yet to be "" .ne in giving practical form to the conclusions arrived at and 

 plans proposed by the Commission, to enable the work already done to bear proper 

 fruit. To bring about the needed co-operation of the two governments, to cause proper 

 laws to be enacted in all the States interested, and to inculcate the truths that alone 

 will make the farmer master of the situation, is largely the work of the future. 



In concluding this brief letter, permit us to sincerely thank you for your hearty co- 

 operation and aid, without which we should have lost much valuable time in neces- 

 sary work at Washington, and to which we are largely indebted for whatever success 

 has crowned our efforts. 



We have the honor to remain, yours, respectfully, 



C. V. RILEY. 

 A. S. PACKARD, Jr. 

 CYRUS THOMAS. 

 To Dr. F. V. Hayden, 



United States Geologist, 



