XX PREFACE. 



The character of the investigation was novel. There was no prece- 

 dent to guide or warn. The number of i^ersons capable, through experi- 

 ence, of intelligent fieJd work in economic entomology was, until quite 

 recently, remarkably small, so that the organization of the force to as- 

 sist in the work was largely experimental and more difficult than it 

 would have been had trained observers been at command. Under these 

 circumstances, the satisfactory manner in which, with rnre exceptions, 

 the different agents have performed the tasks assigned to them is all 

 the more to be commended. Many of these agents have been employed 

 for but a limited time (about three months a year) or to make some 

 special observations or experiments, and the results of their labor are 

 either incorporated in the text of the report or in the appendices. Their 

 work will also be found acknowledged in the introduction, in which we 

 have endeavored to give an epitome of the history of the investigation 

 as well as a glance at the contents of the volume. To all of them, and 

 to the many correspondents who have so willingly and generously as- 

 sisted, we take this public opportunity of tendering our sincere thanks. 



To those who have been more permanently associated with us in this 

 work we desire to express our special acknowledgments and indebted- 

 ness. Mr. E. A. Schwarz, from Detroit, Mich., has assisted from the 

 beginning both in field and office work, while since the publication 

 of the first edition Dr. W. S. Barnard, from Cornell University, Ithaca, 

 !N". Y., has also been continuously associated with us, and particularly in 

 that phase of the inquiry pertaining to mechanical appliances. Mr. n. 

 G. Hubbard, of Detroit, Mich., Mr. William H. Patton, of Waterbury, 

 Conn., Prof. E. W. Jones, of the State University, Oxford, Miss., Judge 

 L. C. Johnson, of Holly Springs, Miss., Prof. J. E. Willet, of Mercer 

 University, Macon, Ga., Judge J. F. Bailey, of Marion, Ala., Judge W. 

 J. Jones, of Virginia Point, Tex., Prof. E. A. Smith, of the State Uni- 

 versity, Tuscaloosa, Ala., Dr. E. H. Anderson, of Canton, Miss., Mr. 

 James Eoane, of Washington, and Dr. J. C. Neal, of Archer, Fla., all 

 deserve special acknowledgment. 



In addition to the observers mentioned, we are indebted to Prof. E. 

 W. Hilgard, of the University of California and special census agent, 

 for permission to use, in the preparation of Professor Smith's chapter 

 and in advance of publication, the notes and observations made by 

 himself and other special agents, while collecting the materials for his 

 Eeport on Cotton Production in the United States. Mr. E. S. Burgess 

 and Dr. C. S. Minot, of Boston, deserve our thanks for their services in 

 the preparation of Chapter Y, and Dr. J. C. Branner and Mr. Albert 

 Koebele for their work in Brazil. 



Last, but not least, we would express our indebtedness to those of our 

 office assistants who have in any way contributed to the report : Mr. 

 L. O. Howard for general assistance in the preparation of the report, 

 Mr. Theo. Pergande for care in the breeding of the insects consigned 

 to him, and Mr. B. P. Mann for clerical aid, especially in the prepara- 

 tion of the index, 



