Insect Pests.

Abstract

THE appearance of this volume affords another proof, if any were required, of the wholesome activity, now noticeable in all progressive countries, directed towards the suppression of the insect pests of cultivated plants. One effect of this welcome energy has been a process of differentiation, whereby the attacks of insects upon crops, instead of being included in the comprehensive but somewhat incomprehensible term of “blight,” have been separated one from another, more or less clearly defined, and, to a very useful extent, associated respectively with the ravages of certain specific insects. It is now possible for those to whom the subject is new to obtain a much clearer idea of the scope of agricultural entomology than was the case even as recently as five or six years ago. “The time has arrived,” observes the author, “when, if we are to fight insect pests successfully, united action must be taken, and knowledge gained by constant vigilance, and by useful and carefully conducted experiments. Only thus can a better knowledge be obtained of the relations of insects to agriculture, viticulture, and horticulture.”

Hand-book of the Destructive Insects of Victoria.

By C. French, Government Entomologist. Part 1. Prepared by Order of the Victorian Department of Agriculture. (Melbourne, 1891.)