660 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



RESIGNATION OF PROFESSOR H. S. FAWCETT. 



Before I ever thought to occupy the important position of State 

 Horticultural Commissioner, I had noted the alarming havoc wrought 

 by bacteria and other fungi in some of the citrus groves of California. 

 I wished at that early day that we might have the most able mycologist 

 of the world to grapple with these potent pigmies — a man to camp out, 

 so to speak, in the orchard, and fight the fight to the finish. 



Upon assuming the duties of this office 1 hastened at once to bring 

 to our aid the right man. I had long noted and admired the monu- 

 mental work of Professor H. S. Fawcett in Florida. I can not express 

 my sincere gratification at his acceptance of our call to this position. 

 I felt sure w^e had won a prize. I need not depict to our readers how 

 thoroughly Professor Fawcett has met our hopes and desires. The 

 investigation by Professor Fawcett of gummosis of the lemon has 

 proved him a master in scientific research. He has demonstrated 

 absolutely the fungoid nature of this disease, and though he does not 

 claim with the same confidence that he has demonstrated, that a cure 

 is as surely discovered, yet we feel that such is the case. 



Doctor G. Harold Powell states that four epoch-making events in the 

 history of our California citrus industry have occurred: Introduction 

 of the navel orange; establishment of co-operative marketing; method 

 of preserving the lemon, and discovery of cause and cure of gummosis, 

 by Professor Fawcett. I would add Doctor Powell's own work of 

 demonstrating efficiency, of careful handling to prevent decay in ship- 

 ping citrus fruit, and the introduction of Vedalia. 



I felt sure that Professor Fawcett was just the kind of a man that 

 Doctor Webber would desire in the citrus station in southern California. 

 I knew that his opportunities in the University would be augmented. 

 I also felt, with Doctor Hunt, that Professor Fawcett's work was really 

 that of the University. I therefore proposed to Doctor "Webber that 

 if he desired. Professor Fawcett might be transferred to the University 

 staff of workers. I only asked that he be retained in the precise field 

 of labor that has engaged his efforts in this Commission. This secured 

 the happy blending of practical field work, and the necessary attend- 

 ant research service. Both Doctor Hunt and Doctor Webber were 

 pleased with this suggestion, and the transfer was made. 



I have only to add that Professor Fawcett is as delightful and com- 

 panionable as a man as he is able as an investigator. He is honesty 

 itself; like all really great men, a model of modesty, an untiring 

 worker. He has endeared himself to us all. It is with very great 

 reluctance that we are to part company with our esteemed fellow- 

 worker — A. J. Cook. 



A NEW BEGINNING IN THE IMPORTATION AND ESTABLISH- 

 MENT OF BENEFICIAL INSECTS. . 



The mission of H. S. Smith, Superintendent of the State Insectary, 

 to the Orient, in search of beneficial insects, is of very great importance 

 to the farmers of this State, and renewing a common-sense policy of 

 fighting insect pests inaugurated in this State in 1887, by the first intro- 



