The title " Entomological Society of Ontario," might lead many to suppose that its 

 work was limited to this Province, but in reality it is carried on by members in all parts 

 of the Dominion, from Prince Edward Island to British Columbia. The fauna of the 

 latter province, and of the North-West Territories, has been investigated during recent 

 years by several experienced collectors, and large additions have been made to Canadian 

 lists, and many new species discovered in the several orders of insects. 



Through the contributions of members, the collection maintained by the Society has 

 rapidly increased in size and value. By special request of the Dominion Government this 

 collection has been sent to the Colonial Exhibition just opened in London. It was first 

 carefully re-arranged by members having special knowledge of the various orders, and was 

 much improved by having a large proportion of the old specimens replaced by fresh 

 material, and by having a large amount of new material incorporated. The collection, as 

 thus arranged and enlarged, fills over one hundred large cases, and will undoubtedly 

 favourably impress all beholders with the great number and variety of our insects. 



The Society has learned with pleasure that a competent Entomologist is proposed to 

 be employed in connection with the Experimental Farm to be started for the investigation 

 of scientific agriculture. Such an officer is a decided essential, and his duties will be, to 

 quote from Prof. Saunders' Report to the Department of Agriculture, " to investigate the 

 habits of insects destructive to farm and garden crops, fruit, etc., as well as those affecting 

 animals, with a view of testing such remedies as may be available for their destruction. 

 He should also prepare such collections for the museum at the Central Station as would 

 illustrate the insects injurious and beneficial to vegetation, and duplicate collections of a 

 similar character as early as practicable for each of the sub stations." 



In this connection it may be stated that Mr. Fletcher, who is at present acting as 

 Honorary Entomologist to the Department of Agriculture, has, under exceptionally 

 unfavourable conditions, and without being able to devote his time to the work, or to- 

 employ needed assistance, published a Report containing a large amount of information 

 about the insects which were found to be most injurious during the past year. The Report 

 is based upon his personal observations in different sections and upon voluminous corres- 

 pondence from all parts of the Dominion. It is an earnest of what might be accomplished 

 by an Entomologist having the necessaxy equipment and assistance to prosecute and 

 record investigations. 



Fortunately neither from Mr. Fletchers' Report, nor from that of the Entomological 

 Society, do we find that any especially destructive new pests were met with during the 

 past year. Nor were some of the old ones so abundant and devastating as formerly. The 

 ravages of the Larch saw-fly (Nematus Ericksonii), and of the Spruce bud-moth {Tortrix 

 fumiferana) shows signs of decrease. The Clover-seed midge (Cecidomyia leguminicola), 

 continued to do serious injury over extended areas, but if farmers will act upon the 

 suggestions which have been made in our reports regarding the cultivation of this crop, 

 they can harvest a good yield of seed. 



Two of the most destructive insects in Canada for many years past have been the 

 Codling-moth (G arpocapsa pomonella), and the Plum-curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar), 

 the former destroying or injuring probably one-fifth of our apple crops, and the latter, often 

 causing a total failure of the crop of plums. Numerous remedies have been proposed and 

 employed against these pests, but the labour required was in each instance considerable, 

 and the results were scarcely ever entirely satisfactory. Experiments made during recent 

 years by our members have, however, proved that Paris Green is an efficient and practicable 

 remedy, when mixed with water and sprayed upon the trees as soon as the flowers have 

 been fully fertilized. 



These facts are mentioned by me in order that a knowledge of them may be distributed 

 by the Fellows of your Honourable Society and by the Delegates attending this meeting. 



The loss to the country occasioned by the ravages of insects upon crops of all kinds, 

 is so enormous that it becomes the duty of every Society interested in Natural History or 

 the Economic Sciences to do what may be in its power to enable agriculturists to combat 

 their small but numerous foes, and thus add to the prosperity of the country. 



W. HAGUE HARRINGTON, 

 May. 1886. Delegate. 



