INTRODUCTION. 
The official Cotton Worm investigation, of which this is the final re- 
port, was begun in the spring of the year 1878, Congress at that time 
having appropriated the sum of 85,000 to be expended for the purpose 
of such an investigation under our direction as entomologist of the 
United States Department of Agriculture. The results of the first 
nine months of the investigation are summed up in the following quo- 
tations from our report as United States Entomologist for the year 1878. 
The quotation also includes the first circular issued in the progress of 
the investigation: 
IXSECTS AFFECTING THE COTTON PLANT. 
Pursuant to an appropriation by the last Congress for the purpose, and in accordance 
with your instructions, I have carried on a special investigation of the insects injuri- 
ous to the cotton plant. The commission of inquiry was organized by the appoint- 
ment of the following gentlemen: As special agents, Prof. J. B. Comstock, of Ithaca, 
N. Y., whose position as professor of entomology in Cornell University and whoso ex-, 
perience with insects injurious to vegetation had well fitted him for such labor; and 
Prof. A. R. Grote, of Buffalo, N. Y., whom a residence of several years at Demopolis, 
Ala., and a special study of the Cotton Worm, had also well prepared for the inquiry. 
As local agents and observers: Dr. E. H. Anderson, of Kirkwood, Miss.; William J. 
Jones, of Virginia Point, Tex.; Prof. J. E. Willet, of Macon, Ga.; aud Prof. Eugene 
A. Smith, of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Mr. E. A. Schwarz, of Detroit, Mich., has also been 
engaged during the winter to visit all the Southern States and the West India islands, 
with a special view of getting at the facts of hibernation. To Professor Comstock was 
assigned the cotton region of Arkansas and Tennessee aud of Mississippi and Alabama 
north of Vicksburg and Meridian and the Alabama Central Railroad; to Mr. Grote 
that of Florida and Georgia and of Alabama south of the railroad mentioned ; while, 
with the assistance of the local observers, I have myself given more especial attention 
to the extremities of the belt, viz: Texas, Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, and the 
Carolinas. 
The following circular-letter was prepared for the use of agents, and distributed, 
with corresponding blanks, to correspondents in the cotton belt. It will explain the 
scope of the inquiry : 
Department of Agriculture, 
WashUiyton, D. C, July 22, 1878. 
Sir: The entomologist of the department having prepared a series of inquiries for 
the special scientific observers to whom has been assigned the duty of studying the 
history and depredation of the worm known as Alcfia argiUocta, as well as other in- 
sects which injure the cotton plant, I have caused copies of these circulars to be 
printed aud sent you, in hope that you may feel interest enough in the subject to 
make report thereon. 
XXIII 
