NATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO STUDY FOREST 



INSECT PROBLEM 



THE enormous losses due to for- the trees, or stripping off the bark, the 

 est insects have led to the insects can be killed. As in all such 

 formation of a society for the cases, an ounce of prevention is worth 

 advancement of forest en- ? pound of cure." 

 tomology in America. The members of "Who make up the membership of 

 this society hold that the work of in- the organization?" was the next ques- 

 sects has not received the attention tion asked of Mr. Graves, 

 which it deserves. "It is open to anyone interested in the 

 Henry S. Graves, U. S. Forester, the subject," Mr. Graves replied. "It 

 newly elected president of the society, seems to me that the relation of forest 

 on being asked about the purposes of insects to forest protection touches al- 

 the organization, said that they were, ^^lost every one. Of course, we expect 

 in general, to call attention to the part that new members shall be recom- 

 v/hich insects play in forest problems, mended by the present membership, 

 "We have had," he said, "widespread which is made up largely of persons who 

 and specific interest in insect pests such bave studied the forest insect problem 

 as the San Jose scale and the boll wee- at first hand. In order, however, that 

 vil, which afi'ect all of us as to what we tjie objects of the society shall be kept 

 eat and what we wear. Forest insects foremost, it is required that at least 

 through their destruction of timber in- four of the seven officers must be 

 crease the cost of a necessity which en- chosen from among professional forest 

 ters quite as much into the daily life of entomologists. It is expected that hon- 

 the individual as do the products of the orary vice presidents representing Fed- 

 field and orchard. If the importance of eral. State, and private interests will 

 the protection of our forest resources be elected to promote the objects of the 

 from insect depredations is generally organization in many localities through 

 recognized, a large part can be pre- the country." 



vented or avoided. "How will these objects be attained?" 

 "Right now in the national forests "In the first place, the objects of the 

 the bureau of entomology and the For- society are largely educational. As in 

 est Service are cooperating to stop in- all questions of large public importance, 

 sect ravages by discovering their be- the main idea is to give the public an 

 ginnings, and stamping them out. A opportunity to know just how important 

 few isolated trees attacked by insects they are. In the second place, the so- 

 may form the nucleus of a mountainside ciety will form a clearing house for in- 

 devastation quite as serious as that from formation, and its meetings will discuss 

 a forest fire. The opportunity for com- the most advantageous methods of in- 

 batting insects, however, is in one re- sect control. Take, for example, the 

 spect better than that in the case of a ravages of the gypsy moth and the 

 fire, which runs rapidly, because it takes brown-tail moth in the Northeastern 

 several years for an insect devastation States. If we can bring about a general 

 to spread until it becomes of such pro- knowledge of these insects and of the 

 portions as that which overspread the harm they do, and are able to instill 

 yellow pine forests in the Black Hills into the mind of the individual the ne- 

 ir 190G. Watchful care on the part cessity for and the proper methods of 

 of forest officers, lumbermen, and pri- their control, how much easier it will 

 vate individuals will make it possible to be to combat them than when the work 

 catch these infestations before they get is confined only to governmental 

 a good start. By cutting and burning agencies !" 



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