32 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 



most happy choice, for I have reason to kuow to what extent he endeared himself to 

 all with whom he came in contact, and with what zeal he worked to create in the 

 minds of the agriculturists an interest in insect pests and later, in farm weeds and 

 other plants, for his work became of a dual nature. In 1S8G the Dominion Experi- 

 mental Farms were established, under the direction of an entomologist, the late 

 Dr. Saunders, who continued their direction until 1911. As that was the only 

 scientific branch of the Department of Agriculture at that time, and to increase 

 his sphere of action, Dr. Fletcher was attached to the staff of the Experimental 

 Farms Branch in the joint capacity of Entomologist and Botanist, a position 

 which he occupied until his death in 1908. The uninterrupted series of Annual 

 Eeports which he published from 1884 until he died in harness tesifcify to the 

 infinite variety of problems with which he dealt. 



Here I wish to digress a little, and in order to indicate in the words of one 

 closely associated with him the character of Dr. Fletcher's work and the conditions 

 which existed until the time of his dea^h, I will quote the conclusion of Dr. 

 Bethune's valuable paper on " The Rise and Progress of Entomology in Canada,"* 

 written in 1898. Concluding a most interesting review of Canadian entomology 

 he says: " Of one other name I must make special mention — 'that of our much es- 

 teemed colleague, Dr. James Fletcher. ISTo one in Canada has done so much as he to 

 instruct the people in a practical knowledge of their worst insect foes and the 

 best means of dealing with them — but how strange it is that he should not be 

 provided with adequate assistance. As Dr. Howard, President of the Association 

 o£ Economic Entomologists of America well expressed it : ' Canada has the man 

 and the knowledge, but has been hampered by want of funds. The result is tllat 

 while she has immediately and intelligently adopted the results of researches made 

 in the United States, she has not been able to lead us in original investigations.' " 

 After describing the extent to which entomological work was supported in the 

 United States, particularly at Washington, Dr. Bethune concluded : " Here in 

 this vast Dominion of 'Canada we have only Dr. Fletcher, with merely one assistant, 

 a secretary to help him in his immense correspondence, whereas he ought to have 

 not only further help in Ottawa but also at least one competent entomologist under 

 his direction in each province and territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific . . 

 . . . It is earnestly hoped that this unsatisfactory condition may soon be 

 rectified, and that entomology, especially in its economic aspect, may no longer be 

 starved in their country, but with liberal aid may make more and more progress in 

 its own field of work, and by its practical results justify all that may be done 

 for it." 



Following the death of Dr. Fletcher the entomological and botanical sections 

 of his work were separated, and new Divisions of Entomology and of Botany of 

 the Experimental Farm? Branch were institnterl. Bv mv appointment as 

 Dominion Entomologist in 1909 it fell to my lot to organize the new Division of 

 Entomology, the staff of which consisted of Mr. Arthur Gibson, as Assistant 

 Entomologist, and one clerk. 



The next step in the development of the Dominion work was the enactment 

 of The Destructive Insect and Pest Act in 1910. The San Jose Scale Act, passed 

 in 1898, concerned itself with one insect only; under the Act ports of entry were 

 determined for nursery stock and fumigation stations were established tbere. The 

 threatened introduction of certain insects, particularly the Brown-tail and Gipsy 

 Moths, made it necessary that the Dominion should have power to take steps to 



*Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada, 2nd Ser., Vol. 4, Section IV; pp. 155-165. 1898. 



