XX 
PREFACE. 
The character of the investigation was novel. There was no prece- 
dent to guide or warn. The number of persons capable, through experi- 
ence, of intelligent field work in economic entomology was, until quite 
recently, remarkably small, so that the organization of the force to as- * 
sist in the work was largely experimental and more difficult than it 
would have been had trained observers been at command. Under these 
circumstances, the satisfactory manner in which, with rare exceptions, 
the different agents have performed the tasks assigned to them is all 
the more to be commended. Many of these agents have been employed 
for but a limited time (about three months a year) or to make some 
special observations or experiments, and the results of their labor are 
either incorporated in the text of the report or in the appendices. Their 
work will also be found acknowledged in the introduction, in which we 
have endeavored to give an epitome of the history of the investigation 
as well as a glance at the contents of the volume. To all of them, and 
to the many correspondents who have so willingly and generously as- 
sisted, we take this public opportunity of tendering our sincere thanks. 
To those who have been more permanently associated with us in this 
work we desire to express our special acknowledgments and indebted- 
ness. Mr. E. A. Schwarz, from Detroit, Mich., has assisted from tbe 
beginning both in field and office work, while since the publication 
of the first edition Dr. W. S. Barnard, from Cornell University, Ithaca, 
1ST. Y., has also been continuously associated with us, and particularly in 
that phase of the inquiry pertaining to mechanical appliances. Mr. II . 
G. Hubbard, of Detroit, Mich., Mr. William H. Patton, of Waterbury, 
Conn., Prof. E. W. Jones, of the State University, Oxford. Miss., Judge 
L. C. Johnson, of Holly Springs, Miss., Prof. J. E. Willet, of Mercer 
University, Macon, Ga., Judge J. F. Bailey, of Marion, Ala., Judge W. 
J. Jones, of Virginia Point, Tex., Prof. E. A. Smith, of the State Uni- 
versity, Tuscaloosa, Ala., Dr. E. H. Anderson, of Canton, Miss., Mr. 
James Eoane, of Washington, and Dr. J. C. Neal, of Archer, Fla., all 
deserve special acknowledgment. 
In addition to the observers mentioned, we are indebted to Prof. E. 
W. Hilgard, of the University of California and special census agent, 
for permission to use, in the preparation of Professor Smith's chapter 
and in advance of publication, the notes and observations made by 
himself and other special agents, while collecting the materials for his 
Keport on Cotton Production in the United States. Mr. E. S. Burgess 
and Dr. C. S. Minot, of Boston, deserve our thanks for their services in 
the preparation of Chapter V, and Dr. J. C. Branner and Mr. Albert 
Koebele for their work in Brazil. 
Last, but not least, we would express our indebtedness to those of our 
office assistants who have in any way contributed to the report: Mr. 
L. O. Howard for general assistance in the preparation of the report, 
Mr. Theo. Pergande for care in the breeding of the insects consigned 
to him, and Mr. ii. I*. .Mann for clerical aid, especially in the prepara- 
tion of the index. 
