7 
It is for this special reason that I set so much value upon an informal 
style of meeting, where the association can, as it were, go into commit- 
tee and a member can not only bring specimens for exhibition or iden- 
tification, but can ask as many short questions as he likes and receive 
answers at once, together with opinions and comments, if necessary, 
from all present. Methods of applying and the most advantageous 
materials and proportions to be used in the manufacture of insecticides, 
the discussion of new discoveries either of materials or apparatus which 
may have come prominently before the public during the year, the 
most convenient modes of collecting, mounting, and preserving mate- 
rial for study—all these seem to me to be subjects particularly appro- 
priate for discussion before our association, concerning which, too, 
information is so badly needed now that the very progress of the science 
is seriously impeded by the want of it and which I think can not so 
well be brought up before any other existing body. Now these matters, 
although small in themselves, when neglected become of great impor- 
tance, from the negative results which come out of them. I therefore 
took the liberty of addressing a circular to each member of the associa- 
tion as well as to all economic entomologists of whom I could find the 
postal addresses, requesting them to come to this meeting prepared to 
derive the greatest possible advantage from intercourse with the emi- 
nent entomologists resident at Washington and those others who would 
surely be gathered together here ; also at the same time to try to make 
the meeting enjoyable to others by favoring us with short notes of their 
operations during the year. 
Iam pleased to announce that one of our foreign members, Miss 
Ormerod, has sent us an interesting account of her work during the past 
year which will be read during the meeting. 
Thanks to the kindness of Professor Riley and the trouble taken 
by our secretary, Mr. Howard, arrangements have been made that 
the visiting entomologists may take the greatest advantage of the op- 
portunities afforded by the meeting being held at Washington, and I 
would suggest that all should improve this opportunity by examining 
and above all by taking copious notes of the various entomological ma- 
chines, so many of which have originated in the Division of Entomol- 
ogy, under Professor Riley. To-morrow a certain time will be devoted 
to the discussion ot insecticides and the machinery for their application. 
lam convinced, after many failures, that success in treating insects 
just as much depends upon having the proper apparatus as upon the 
insecticide used, and I draw your attention now to this subject because 
of the exceptional advantages offered here, not only from having the 
machines to examine, but also the able members of the staff to explain 
their uses; for my own part I have found it quite impossible to judge 
of and compare the merits of these, in many cases, expensive machines, 
by simply reading the available descriptions, and I think we should 
make the most of this opportunity. My only regret is that every eco- 
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