214 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SERVICE. 



Thirty years ago, in 1884, the Canadian Government ap- 

 pointed a Dominion Entomologist to advise agriculturists and 

 others regarding the control of insect pests. Two years later, on 

 the establishment of the Experimental Farms' system, Dr. James 

 Fletcher, who occupied the position, was attached to the new 

 Branch of the Department of Agriculture in the joint capacity of 

 Entomologist and Botanist, which position he occupied with con- 

 spicuous success until his death in 1908. The growth in importance 

 of the two subjects necessitated their separation, and accordingly 

 Divisions of Entomology and Botany were created. Dr. C. Gordon 

 Hewitt was appointed Dominion Entomologist in 1909 and en- 

 trusted with the work of organizing the new Division of Ento- 

 mology of the Experimental Farms' Branch of the Department of 

 Agriculture with offices and laboratory at the Central Experimental 

 Farm, Ottawa. 



The urgent need of legislation in order to permit action to be 

 taken to prevent the introduction into Canada and spread within 

 the country of serious insect pests and plant diseases, was respon- 

 sible for the passage of the Destructive Insect and Pest Act inl910. 

 The still greater need of investigations on the insect pests affecting 

 agriculture, forestry, and other branches of human activity, has 

 led to the establishment of field or regional laboratories in different 

 parts of Canada with trained Entomologists in charge to study the 

 local problems. 



Owing to the consequent expansion of the Entomological work 

 along investigatory and administrative lines and the fact that such 

 work did not constitute a necessary part of the work of the Experi- 

 mental Farms' system, and executively was virtually distinct, the 

 Entomological Service has now been separated from the Experi- 

 mental Farms' Branch and has been constituted an independent 

 Branch of the Department of Agriculture under the direction of the 

 Dominion Entomologist. It is proposed to erect a building to 

 provide offices and laboratories for the new Entomological Branch. 

 Will correspondents kindly note that all official communications 

 and publications should be addressed to "The Dominion Ento- 

 mologist, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa." 



