3 
The relations of climatic conditions to the development of injuri-- 
ons insects is a question to which I have devoted considerable 
attention the past year. 
It is impossible to advance but few steps in the careful study of 
the habits of any widely distributed species, without encountering 
the climatic factor. In my study of the Chinch-bug this presented 
itself so prominently that I determined to examine more carefully 
and thoroughly than had been heretofore done, the relation of 
meteorological conditions to the development of the species. This 
necessitated an examination of all the meteorological records of our 
State, and of the eastern portions of Missouri and Iowa. As will 
be seen by reference to the accompanying report, I have shown the 
result in curved lines, thus forming a graphic representation by 
means of which the eye can readily observe the more prominent 
points. The series used extends from 1840 to 1878; and if the 
facts developed by an examination of this series are to be a guide, 
the year 1881 will be dry over a large portion of our State, and 
hence a short crop year so far as corn and the later crops are con¬ 
cerned. I do not wish to be understood as giving an opinion to 
this effect, but as simply stating that the facts developed by an 
examination of the series indicate this. So far as the temperature 
is concerned, no rule appears by which any indications of the future 
can be ascertained. According to the rain curve and the history of 
the Chinch-bug in the past, next year will be a Chinch-bug year, if 
the season is above the average temperature. This subject of 
climatic influence is so important that I have ventured some sug¬ 
gestions on points which, I think, have been overlooked in its dis¬ 
cussion. 
By the permission of Dr. A. S. Packard, I am allowed to insert 
in my present report his paper on the Hessian-fly. I have added 
some notes where I disagree with the conclusions of the author— 
where I think his language needs elucidating, and where I think it 
necessary to note some additional fact or thought; but I have not 
attempted any change in the author’s language. 
I had intended to discuss somewhat fully in this report the 
general subject of remedies, but have not been able as yet to com¬ 
plete this paper; possibly, if the printing of the report is clelayed, 
I may yet have it ready in time to be inserted. 
I can state here that one of the general conclusions at which I 
arrive is, that, as a general rule, topical applications are really of 
but little value except in the garden, greenhouse and orchard. The 
time, expense and injury to the crop by the insects and substance 
applied generally equal or overbalance the benefit, even when it 
drives away or destroys the pest. Preventive measures, therefore, 
are the ones to be chiefly relied upon for the protection of field 
crops. 
During the year some additional boxes of insects have been fur¬ 
nished the Museum of the State Agricultural Department, which 
have been put in their proper places by your curator, Miss Bradford. 
My first installment to the Industrial University was forwarded 
during the year to Prof. Burrill. 
In November about 2,600 duplicate specimens were forwarded to 
Prof. Forbes, with the understanding that he would, from these and 
