The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-10-25
WESTERN NATURE STUDIES
Field and Garden Insects Harmful Useful and Otherwise

on Monday at the university Pro-
f,ss0r Titus delivered the first of a
series of weekly lectures to be given
before the students of the classes in
nature study by specialists from the
Agricultural college. The Herald has
made special arrangements with Pro-
fessOr j. H. Paul. director of that
branch Of the work at the university,
20 have a somewhat complete report
Of this series, which will be of educa-
tiOnal general and practical interest TO
most people of the western country.
These articles will deal with western
insects, birds, weeds, Towering plants,
farm crops, soils, rocks. climate, etc,
specially in their relation to the needs
and interests of the average man.
The Insect World.
Adults usually shun insects. but chill
dren are easily interested in them. Few
adults would imagine how intensely in
teresting these creatures are. To most
people they are repulsive and even ter
rifying But as we come to learn of
their habits and modes Of life. we find
that they are not unworthy of serious
consideration. The agricultural wealth
OF the nation is largely dependent upon
their control Intellectual growth is
stimulated by learning what is going
on all around US in. the diversified and
almost endless realm of insect life.
These creatures are so numerous every
where that, whether we enjoy it or not,
we must deal with them. 1t is a good
thing. therefore. to observe and even
10 make collections from this strange
world Of little beings. This may be
done simply as a recreation. Every
person that has tried IL has come to
enjoy such investigation, which is car
ried on mostly out of doors, I'm the fresh
air and sunshine, to the decided advan-
tage Of health and cheerfulness, and
without interfering with ones regular
vocational work
How to Study 1t.
What shall we study? and where
shall we begin? Professors Ball and
Titus, the economic entOmOlOgists who
have ieCtGred before the writer's classes
in nature study. are both of the Opin-
ion that the most important thing to
know about an insect, after we have
found that it is doing injury to farm
crops, is its life history. To deal with
an insect pest, we must know its weak
point. 50 as 10 be able 10 decide where
and when to attack it, And in order
to know what We are speaking about i'm
using the various terms that must be
employed in describing the insects in
furious 10 field or garden crops and to
fruit and shade trees. il will first be
necessary TO learn the general features
and classes Of insect life.
What Is An Insect?
What is an insect? The animal king
dom is divided into fifteen groups, of
which the tenth group is named the
Arthropoda-a word that means jointed
legs but all artbroOOda have ioipra1
bodies as well. This group includes
such animals as crabs, scorpions. spi-
ders and centipedes, which are not in
sects. The arthropoda consist of four
principal classes. The division, called
the HexapOda, or siX-fOoted arthropoda,
comprises the true insects. The other
chief divisions are the crustaceans, such
as SOW bugs and Holsters; the arach-
nids. such as spiders and daddy long