REPORT FROM THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO, TO THE 

 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA, THROUGH W. HAGUE HARRINGTON. 



As delegate from the Entomological Society of Ontario, it affords me much pleasure to 

 announce that the Society has continued to make satisfactory progress, both in member- 

 ship and in the work which it undertakes. 



The monthly publication of the Entomologist brings before students of insects, both 

 in this country and abroad, very valuable and interesting papers on the habits and life 

 histories of our species, with frequent descriptions of new discoveries in our extensive 

 country. Volume XVI. has been completed and several valuable parts of XVII. have 

 been already issued. 



The " Annual Report" No. XIV., issued by the Society, contains several instructive 

 papers prepared especially for agriculturists, and well supplied with such illustrations as 

 may enable them to recognize the insects therein described. 



The Montreal Branch of the Society is in a flourishing condition, which is due to the 

 exertions of the energetic and enthusiastic entomologists who reside in that city. 



Gratification is felt at the evidence of a growing interest in regard to the very 

 important question of the serious losses annually caused throughout the country by the 

 depredation of various insects. 



The Select Committee appointed by Parliament, in 1884, to obtain information as to 

 the agricultural interests of the Dominion, issued circulars to a large number of leading 

 fruit-growers and other agriculturists throughout the country, requesting, among other 

 points, an expression of opinion as to the desirability of the appointment of a Government 

 Entomologist. A large majority of the answers were in favour of such an appointment. 



Two members of the Council of the Entomological Society were also called, and gave 

 evidence before the Committee as to the ravages of insects in Canada, and as to the 

 advantages which would result from the appointment of a competent Entomologist. 



The Department of Agricultuie, impressed by the importance of the subject as thus 

 brought before its notice, has since appointed as Etomologist one of the most energetic 

 officers and workers of our Society — Mr. James Fletcher — who has issued a preliminary 

 report briefly describing the most noticeable injuries caused by insects last season to 

 the various crops. 



In the United States gi-eat attention is still paid to the study of Economic Entom- 

 ology. Several of the States, as well as the Federal Government, make liberal provisions 

 for the investigations of appointed Entomologists. 



The published reports of such investigations are exceedingly valuable, and furnish, 

 with the exception of that supplied by the Entomological Society of Ontario, almost the 

 only reliable information regarding the injurious insects infesting our orchards, fields and 

 gardens. 



It is a matter of no little importance that as full information as can be obtained should 

 be, as widely as possible, circulated among our farmers, and to this end the appointment 

 of an Entomologist by the Department of Agriculture is an important step in the right 

 direction. 



The President then delivered his annual address. 



ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL 



SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 



Gentlemen, — The season of 18S5 has not been distinguished by any unusual invasion 

 by injurious insect hosts. Nothing assuming the proportion of a general or serious 

 calamity in this direction has occurred in any department of agriculture or horticulture ; 

 nevertheless, instances have not been wanting where local injuries caused by insects have 

 assumed considerable proportions, the sum total of which, if the results were expressed in 

 money loss, would represent a very large sum. 



