INTRODUCTION. 
XXXV 
the winter preservation of the moth, which finds its most favorable 
winter conditions in tin* sheltered pine regions and dry sandy soil cov- 
ered with wire grass. Bat aside from this Professor Smith's chapter 
wiU have a deep interest for cotton planters. 
In Chapter VII we have briefly considered the inlluences, direct and 
indirect, which the character and condition of the soil, of the plant, 
and of the weather have upon the first appearance of the worms and 
upon their increase and destructiveness — a subject, as the context shows, 
of no mean importance. 
In Chapter VIII the natural enemies of the insect are treated of and 
their value as checks to its increase considered. The list is a long one, 
and those of its own class art' treated of systematically. Many previous 
errors are here corrected and a number of pertinent entomological facts 
for the first time published. When the investigation began not a sin- 
gle true parasite had been recorded by name, whereas over a dozen are 
here recorded. 
1 n Chapter I X we have dealt with such preventive measures as are 
worthy of considerat ion by planters, while in Chapter X we have dealt 
at length with remedies, i. c, with means of coping with the insect, 
whether in the egg, larva, pnpa. or imago state, but more particularly 
with substances that maybe used for the destruction of the worm. This 
is the chapter which wdl probably prove of greatest value to those for 
whom the report is primarily intended, and we bespeak its careful con- 
sideration. While many substances are considered which have no value, 
whatever, yet negative results once established have a decided value 
in preventing future waste of time and energy in futile work, and the 
matter of the chapter is based on original research and experiment. 1 11 
treating of the use of yeast ferment or other fungus germs we have used 
essentially the language of the first edition. Time has only served to 
confirm us in our opinion of their practical futility in the field. The 
question of the practical use of these micro-organisms — these disease- 
genus — as insecticides is a very fascinating one, and is much written 
about just now; but unfortunately it proves most alluring to those who 
have had the least practical experience in coping with injurious insects 
in the field, and is much more apt to assume importance to the closet 
theorists than to those who, from experience, are conscious of the diffi- 
culties involved in its applicability. 
Chapters XI, XII, and XIII treat of the machinery and mechanical 
devices which are in use or may be used for the destruction of the insect, 
whether direct or by facilitating the application of the various sub- 
stances treated of in Chapter X. Xo excuse need be offered for the rel- 
ative length of these chapters, as, owing to its importance, by for the 
larger part of the time and means employed in the investigation has 
been given to this part of the subject. In the early part of the in- 
vestigation we personally took pains to acquaint ourself with all that 
had been done in this direction, and studied not only the patents that 
