1908.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT- -No. 73. 193 



has been thoroughly examined by practically a congress of the 

 world's leading entomological experts. And it is believed that 

 their consensus of opinion, which is, in the main, that every- 

 thing possible to secure the successful importation of these in- 

 sects is being done, will be taken as authoritative and final. It 

 would seem that the last word has been said on this matter, and 

 that there should be no further occasion for that kind of adverse 

 criticism, whose sole effect is to harass those who are giving 

 their best thought and most sincere effort to the accomplishment 

 of the desired result. Destructive criticism of scientific work, 

 by the amateur or dilettante, is absolutely valueless. Construc- 

 tive criticism, such as these reports make on certain minor 

 details of this important work, is helpful, and of public good. 

 Wherever in the reports of visiting scientists helpful and prac- 

 tical suggestions have been made, they will be adopted, and 

 applied to this great problem as soon as opportunity permits. 

 The expert opinions follow. 



REPORT OF PROF. CHARLES P. LOUNSBURY, 



GOVERNMENT ENTOMOLOGIST OF THE COLONY OP CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 



SOUTH AFRICA. 



LONDON, ENG., Aug. 19, 1907. 



Prof. A. H. KIRKLAND, Superintendent for Suppressing the Gypsy and 

 Brown-tail Moths, 6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. 



SIR: --In response to your request that I examine into the work of 

 introducing insect natural enemies of the gypsy and brown-tail moths, 

 during my visit to America, and that I submit to you a memorandum 

 Iconveying my opinion of its organization and management, and also 

 1 making any comments or criticisms which might prove helpful, I take 

 .pleasure in reporting as follows : - 



For the purposes in view, I paid three visits to the parasite labo- 

 ratory at Saugus : one in late April, one about the middle of June and 

 he last in early August. On the first occasion I discussed the work in 

 letail with Mr. E. S. G. Titus, then the federal officer in immediate 

 large of the introductions; and on the two latter I had similar con- 

 brse with Mr. W. F. Fiske, the federal officer now in charge. I was in 

 company of Assistant Superintendent Worthley on the first trip, 

 |d from him gleaned a fair notion of the position as a whole in regard 

 the pest as it stands at present; and more was learned later from 

 while motoring through a large section of the most infested 

 On my last visit to the laboratory I was accompanied by Pro- 

 Fernald and yourself. Altogether, I think I have obtained a 



