LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 
Carbondale, III., Dec. 29, 1879. 
Hon. James R. Scott , President of the State Board of Agriculture: 
Dear Sir: In compliance with the second section of the act 
of the Legislature of Illinois, entitled “An act in relation to the 
State Board of Agriculture,” approved May 25th, 1877, I have the 
honor of presenting herewith my “Fourth Annual Report, as State 
Entomologist, of the noxious and beneficial insects of the State of Illi- 
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nois. 
This will form the ninth of the series of reports by the State En¬ 
tomologist, viz: One by Mr. Walsh, four by Dr. Le Baron and four by 
the present incumbent. The title therefore will be as follows: u Ninth 
Report of the State Entomologist on the noxious and beneficial Insects 
of the State of Illinois ,” in accordance with the plan adopted in my 
second annual report. 
The increasing demand for these reports from year to year, indi¬ 
cates not only a growing interest in the subject of entomology, 
but also that our farmers and horticulturists are paying more atten¬ 
tion to this subject than formerly. This is also probably largely due 
to the change in the law which now requires the report to be bound 
with and made a part of the Transactions of the Department of Agri¬ 
culture of the State. By this means thousands of the reports are thrown 
into the hands of persons who would not otherwise see them. Another 
n ,ct indicating the interest in them, is that numerous requests from 
arties outside of our state for copies are constantly being received. 
In all cases, where the.se requests can be consistently complied with, 
copies are sent to them, and, in all cases except where demanded by 
strict entomologists, those bound with the Transactions. 
Although the number of copies bound separately (two hundred) is 
not sufficient to supply the demand for them in this form, yet I have 
deemed it best not to ask for a greater number, as it is desirable the 
two shall go together, except to entomologists and scientific societies, 
with whom I exchange. 
As no appropriation is made to the entomologist for the purchase of 
entomological works, I would suggest that a request be made for a 
certain allowance to your board for that purpose, as such works should 
properly be placed in the library of your department. An annual ap¬ 
propriation of one hundred dollars would probably suffice for this pur¬ 
pose, if judiciously expended. The agricultural periodicals and works 
on agricultural topics in the library of your department have been of 
great benefit to me; and I desire here to express my thanks to your 
secretary, Hon. S. D. Fisher, and to his assistant, Dr. C. F. Mills, 
for their many acts of kindness in aiding me therewith. 
