4 
my chief work, the preparation of specimens is necessarily secondary, 
and although an important part of the duty of a State Entomologist, 
must not be allowed to supersede the economic work. 
There appears to be a growing belief in the minds of many of our 
practical farmers and horticulturists that as a general rule, though sub¬ 
ject to several important exceptions, topical applications in the “long 
run” are of but little real value. For example, that but little real ad¬ 
vantage is gained by the use of Paris green for the Ten-lined , or as 
it is improperly called “Colorado”-Potato Beetle.* Not that this sub- 
« stance fails to destroy those to which it is applied, but that the same 
end might be attained by use of other means at the proper time, with 
as little expense of time and money, much less danger, and as little 
injury to the potatoes. 
1 tested this on a small scale last summer. Having some fears of 
this pest, I suggested that in case any farmer observed it in his potato 
patch, he should, if his force was not sufficient, call on his neighbors 
for aid and at once destroy entirely beetles, larva and eggs before 
they had time to develop. Two or three patches were attacked, my 
own being one of them, the method suggested was adopted and the 
result was we saved our potatoes with as little trouble and far less 
danger than by the use of Paris green. By proper care and watch¬ 
fulness, and commencing work vigorously upon them at their first 
appearance, trouble, expense and the crops may be saved. I have suc¬ 
ceeded the same way the present year (1880). 
After killing the Ten-liners (Doryphora decemlineata ), the “Old 
fashion species,” as it is now usually called (Epicauta vittata ), made 
its appearance on my potato plants in abundance. These were readily 
driven oft' with brush switches before they had time to do any serious 
injury, and did not return. A neighbor, in whose patch a swarm, 
possibly the same one, made its appearance, adopted the same plan 
with equal success. 
In years when they appear in excessive numbers over extensive areas 
it will not, as a matter of course, be so easy to dispose of them; but 
united and timely efforts vigorously followed up will, as before stated, 
do more good and be less expensive in the end than waiting to try 
doubtful experiments. 
There are some cases where combined efforts only are likely to be 
successful, for example, with the European cabbage-worm, heretofore 
mentioned. 
A gardener, who is watchful and energetic, commences the fight 
with the butterflies as soon as they appear, but as fast as he kills 
them new recruits pour in upon him from the neighboring gardens 
around him. If he should even find an application that is fatal to 
them and destroys the worms, a second brood from the gardens of his 
less energetic neighbors comes in upon him in increased swarms and 
by the time he has these killed his cabbages are destroyed. In this 
case, unless the parasites of the species afford the needed relief, it will 
probably be necessary to adopt some method of cultivation such as I 
have herein suggested, as will enable the cabbages themselves to resist 
the attacks of these foes. But as before stated there are cases in which 
nothing but topical applications will answer, and must of necessity be 
resorted to. 
* Ten-lined , the name given in my essay of 1862, is the name that should have been 
adopted. 
