11 



dry in this section, and what grass was left on the fields after the hay was cut could not 

 possibly have supported the large numbers of locusts which afterwards devastated our 

 crops. By waiting until 1st July they had reached the final stage in which they can 

 fly, and were enabled to migrate from field to field, which they could not possibly have 

 done in their earlier stages by hopping, for it must be remembered that their wings do 

 not grow gradually until they reach their full size, but appear suddenly after the last 

 moult. Locusts pass through seven stages— the egg, two larval stages, three pupal stages 

 and the perfect insect. In the larval stages there is no appearance of wings ; after the 

 second moult, however, small wing pads appear ; these increase gradually during the two 

 succeeding moults, but when the pupal life is completed and just before it moults the last 

 time and becomes perfect the wing pads are only about a quarter of an inch long. 

 When the last moult takes place, however, and this only takes a few moments when the 

 time comes, from these short wing pads are unfolded copious gauzy wings over an inch 

 in length. In a few hours these harden and are ready to transport their bearers from 

 place to place upon their mission of destruction. 



An attack upon the hay crop, which is receiving the careful attention of the members 

 of the society at the present time, is one known as " Silver-top." It has been noticed for 

 some years that early in June the top joints of some of the flowering stems of June grass, 

 also called " Kentucky Blue Grass," (Poa pratensis, L.) and later on in the month those 

 of timothy (Phleu?n pratcnse, L.) turn white as though prematurely ripened. Upon 

 examination these are found to have been injured above the top node. Many causes for 

 this injury have been suggested, but as yet it is still undiscovered. The most prevalent 

 idea is that it is the work of a kind of Thrips, but this is by no means proved. The 

 lower part of the top joint has the appearance of having been sucked dry by some 

 suctorial insect ; the tissues of the stem apparently not being torn as in the case of the 

 wheat-stem maggot (Meromyza Americana). The only observation so far made which 

 appears to me to be of importance is that the attack is worst in old and exhausted 

 meadows. This suggests breaking up such lands and manuring freely. The result of this 

 treatment will be seen next year upon some fields where this has been tried. This attack 

 ' is very similar in its effects to that of the wheat-steai magsot upon growing wheat, and 

 like it, has steadily increased during the last three or four years. It is to be hoped, 

 however, that as more information is gathered with regard to these attacks, practicable 

 remedies will be discovered. 



The many species of timber-boring beetles which attack our pine forests are 

 receiving special attention from our members. 



The apple worm, the caterpillar of the codling moth, (Carpocapsa pomonella), has 

 been destructive in many localities ; but by judiciously spraying the trees directly the 

 petals of the flowers had fallen many fruit growers considerably lessened this evil. 



The injuries to the clover-seed crop by the clover-seed midge are being also 

 much reduced by the adoption of the system recommended in our reports of pasturing 

 or cutting the first crop before the middle of June. 



The Colorado potato beetle and the gooseberry sawfly are no longer to be feared, as 

 easy and (when properly applied) perfectly harmless remedies have been discovered in 

 Paris green for the one and hellebore for the other. 



I must not delay you longer, but before I close I have to draw your attention to two 

 works of exceptional interest, the first is one entitled " Entomology for Beginners," 

 by Dr. A. S. Packard, of Providence, R. I. This is of great interest to us all, for not- 

 withstanding, as I have endeavoured to show you this evening, the real and recognized 

 importance of Entomological studies, we had not until this appeared any book of low 

 price and convenient size which could be used as a class book in schools. This was a 

 great want which is now filled by Dr. Packard's book. Another want of equal promi- 

 nence was some good illustrated book which could be used as an introductory work for 

 the use of beginners without their having to procure a number of reports and large 

 volumes. Copious instructions are given for collecting, preserving and classifying insects, 

 as well as references to the leading works on the different branches of the science. The 

 section treating of classification is perhaps too much condensed, but will be found very 



