INTRODUCTION: 

As soon as the act given on page iii was approved by his Ex- 
cellency, Governor D. M. Clough, and after the entomologist 
had been authorized and empowered to inaugurate the work 
contemplated by House File No. 372, he entered upon the du- 
ties therein defined, The necessary equipment and assistance 
were secured soon after the approval of the act, and energetic 
measures were taken to combat the chinch-bugs and other nox- 
ious insects so numerous in 1894, and so threatening for 1895. 
The results of his labors are given, in part, in the following 
pages. 
There remains for the entomologist the pleasant duty of ex- 
pressing his sincere thanks to all persons that have aided 
him in this work, but especially to his assistant, Mr. Rufus 
H. Pettit, who has assisted faithfully in both the laboratory 
work and the preparation of this report, and to Hon. Tams 
Bixby, who has always shown the greatest interest in the 
work, and has assisted the entomologist in many ways. 
The fine illustrations on the plates were made by Mr. Otto 
Heidemann, of Washington, D. C., who combines the artistic 
and entomological features in these drawings. ‘The Chicago, 
St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha, and the St. Paul and Duluth 
R. R. Companies also deserve thanks for their kindness in fur- 
nishing free transportation over their roads whenever such was 
asked. 
