1900 ] ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 89 



THE ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS.* 



The twelfth annual meeting of this society, which was founded in Toronto in 1889, 

 was held at Cohimbia College, New York, on the 22nd and 23rd of Jane, 1900, In the 

 abeence of the President, Prof. Bruner, the chair was taken by the Vice-President, 

 Prof. C. P. Gillette, who read an address on " the objects of the Association of Economic 

 Entomologists." The first of these is " to discuss new discoveries." This implies, the 

 speaker said, that new discoveries are to be made. It takes for granted that the mem- 

 bers are to be scientific workers and not mere book students, content to thrash over old 

 straw or to step exactly in the footprints of another. After referring briefly to Dr. 

 Riley's "introduction of the Vedalia to the relief of disheartened fruit growers" in 

 California, and to Dr. Howard's having made possible the successful culture of the fig 

 through the establishment of Blastophaga grossorum, he stated that it would be difficult 

 to find so small a body of workers, with so meagre an amount of time to be devoted to 

 original research, in any other science who can show larger results in the way of new 

 discoveripfl in so short a time. 



A farther object is *' to exchange experiences and to carefully consider best 

 methods of work. No one can be a toiler in any special line for a year without 

 encountering experiences that might be related to a fellow-laborer to his profit. We are 

 scattered over a large territory, having widely varying conditions of climate, altitude, 

 and plant and insect life. Each can bring from his particular field some points of 

 peculiar interest to all the others. While we may read one another's publications and 

 perhaps exchange frequent letters until we almost feel acquainted, it is only occasionally 

 that we can enjoy these meetings together, and it is a great inspiration to talk freely 

 over one's experiences and plans of work face to face with those who are interested with 

 him in similar lines of labor." 



"The student of applied entomology is supposed to have a good general knowledge 

 of agricultural affairs, particularly in regaid to plant growth. He must be informed 

 upon all the insecticide materials and be able to tell what insects they are suited to kill, 

 in what strength they may be applied to different plants, what their physiological effects 

 will be on both plant and insect life, and when they can best be applied. He is sup- 

 posed to be able to tell at a glance what any insect is that may be handed him, and 

 whether or not it is injurious or beneficial. He is expected to be able to recommend the 

 cheapest and best pumps or other machinery for the application of insecticides. Is it 

 any wonder that we need to get together and exchange experiences and discuss methods 

 of work, particularly when we remember that different results are obtained in different 

 localities? Lime, salt and sulphur, so valuable for the destruction of Sau Jose scale on 

 the Pacific coast, were found to be of very little value in the moist atmosphere of the 

 eastern portion of the country ; the codling moth, said to have one brood in Maine, is re- 

 ported to have two in Colorado, and three or four in other places ; insects fairly common 

 but never seriously abundant in one portion of the country are often found to be great 

 pests in others. In view of these conditions it is important that we obtain all the ideas 

 possible from fellow-laborers in different localities, that we may make as few mistakes as 

 possible, and that we may not bring down upon ourselves the distrust of those whom we 

 labor to benefit." 



"We are also 'to consider best methods of work.' Method is always important, 

 and particularly is it to be sought for in a young science or industry where long experience 

 has not yet determined the best plans of procedure. It was well at first that a large 

 amount of individuality should enter into the work and a variety of methods be 

 employed. Then, by a process of natural selection, the poorer methods would gradually 

 drop out and the better ones be retained. It is time for this Association to lay aside its 

 swaddling clothes and assume the garb of maturer years. It should be one of its objects 

 to determine upon best methods as soon as expedient to do so. One recommends Paris 

 green or London purple in the proportion of 1 pound to 200 gallons of water, while 

 another will make it one pound to 160 or even 100 gallons for the destruction 

 of the same insect. One recommends two sprayings for the codling moth, another three, 



* The Editor desires to acknowledge his indebtedness to the official report of the proceedings of this 

 meeting published by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



