10 



the wheat fields were deserted and left to the cattle. A day's threshing would 

 produce two bushels of midges and no grain. When their crops were all destroyed 

 then they were willing to resort to remedies, chief among which were the employ- 

 ment of "midge-proof wheat" for seed, a judicious rotation of crops, and planting 

 too early or too late to suit the habits of the midge. The introduction of new 

 varieties of wheat was the principal means of getting rid of the pest. He wished 

 that the farmers might lose all their potatoes, in order that they might be led by 

 this severe lesson to give up the use of Paris green, and adopt scientific means of 

 saving their crops. 



After some further discussion, in the course of which the value of various 

 poisons, such as arsenical preparations, hellebore, kerosene, etc., in checking 

 insect ravages was insisted upon, the subject dropped. 



Dr. White exhibited to the meeting some cheap wood-cuts in outline, of 

 botanical subjects that were used in illustration of popular articles in " School 

 Work and Play," and recommended that something similar should be done in order 

 to popularize entomology. He said that specimens were first photographed upon 

 zinc plates instead of glass, and in this way, by a special process, blocks were pre- 

 pared for the printer at a very trifling expense. The project was heartily approved 

 of, and it was agreed on all sides that much valuable instruction might be dissem- 

 inated in this way. 



Mr. Barman related his experience of injury to cattle and dogs by flies in the 

 North-west, and asked whether fish-oil would be a remedy. In reply Mr. Fletcher 

 and Mr. Howard stated that fish and other oils and greases were effective both 

 in keeping off the flies and healing the affected parts. 



The meeting then adjourned till the afternoon. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



The report of the council, the audited financial statement of the Secretary- 

 Treasurer, and the report of the Librarian were presented and read to the meeting, 

 and, on, motion were duly discussed and adopted. 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 



The Council submit herewith their annual report. 



The progress of the Society still continues, and the increased membership and 

 the demand for materials for collections, evidences an encouraging activity among 

 the workers in entomological pursuits, and affords good hope of satisfactory 

 results. 



During the 3'ear the Council found it necessary to obtain some alteration in 

 the clauses of the Ontario Agriculture and Arts Act relating to the Entomological 

 Society. 



Through the kindness and courtesy of the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture 

 the following amendment to the Act was passed : 



" Section 67 of the said Act is amended by adding thereto, after sub-section 

 (2), the following : ' Provided, however, that the Entomological Society of Ontario 



