40 



from those m whom he most desires to inspire respect, by trying to put them off with 

 an indefinite answer. It has been my experience that a modest and honest acknow- 

 ledgment of ignorance is no disgrace and brings no degradation with it, whilst an 

 assumption of knowledge which we do not possess is a constant menace, which if once 

 detected is never forgotten. It is the old tale, " honesty is the best policy ; " but this 

 must not end the matter ; we must be honest with ourselves, and having once detected our 

 lack of knowledge upon any subject which comes under our notice, we must use every 

 means in our power of supplying the deficiency, and if we make a systematic study of 

 every investigation which we undertake, taking all the time careful records of what we 

 see, even with regard to the commonest insects, we shall fi-equently have the satisfaction 

 of finding out that not only have we observed all that others have, but many other things 

 besides, which will raise our simple investigation ironi a mere study into a scientific 

 record. No man can possibly know everything even about his favorite study, and the 

 sooner he knows this the better for his work. 



A subject frequently referred to, but which can not too often be repeated is the 

 necessity, or even, if we put i-t in another way, policy, of making the fullest acknowledg- 

 ment of all assistance received from others, whether it be from their writings or otherwise. 

 I know of nothing which so belittles a man's work as to find that it is derived without 

 acknowledgment from some one else. It is not at all infrequent, I am sorry to say, to 

 find whole sentences and clauses inserted in published writings without even quotation 

 marks. An evidence of this is found in the innumerable mistakes which are perpetuated 

 and handed down from author to author before they are detected as errors. Again, too 

 great stress can not, I think, be laid upon the propriety of invariably acknowledging the 

 source of all illustrations used. These are of the greatest assistance, and yet they are 

 frequently used without a word of acknowledgment. 



Now, all of this is essentially unwise from the base standpoint of policy alone ; for 

 although nothing may be said about the matter, be sure that every instance is noticed and 

 stands forth as a black blot on the face of good work. 



A defect which is occasionally discernible in some writings upon economic entomology 

 is the want of a thorough grounding in the first elements of the science. This is easily 

 detected ; there is an uncertainty and indefiniteness about the work. It is like that of an 

 artist who begins to paint pictures before he has learned to draw well. A far greater 

 blemish, however, which has, I think seriously impeded progress and effective work, is the 

 fact that entomologists as a rule do not know enough about the collateral subjects which 

 affect their studies. Their efforts are for the most part directed towards the protection of 

 farm crops, and yet how few make a study or have much knowledge even of the elements 

 of farming and horticulture, the growth and management of the various kinds of crops, 

 the effects of different fertilisers, early and late planting, and the rotation of crops, the 

 pruning and cultivation of trees and shrubs. 



All of these are of paramount importance. The knowledge is necessary, and there- 

 fore must be acquired. A certain knowledge of botany is most important and will be con- 

 stantly giving advantages to the one who possesses it over those who do not. 



With regard to the presentation of the results of our labors for the use of others, 

 one thing which should be avoided as much as possible is the recommendation of remedies 

 which we have not actually tested ourselves. There are so many useless and untrust- 

 worthy remedies now published, particularly through newspapers, that great caution is 

 necessary. Different conditions sometimes require differing remedies, according to 

 circumstances : but I think that the best and fewest possible remedies should be given 

 for any insect treated of, so as to simjilify the application as much as we can. 

 There is no doubt that the most valuable remedies are those which are simplest. As the 

 late Mr. Frazer Crawford, of South Australia, has well said, a remedy must be (1) effect- 

 ive, so as to attain the object aimed at ; (2) itiexpensive, so as to be practical — worth the 

 trouble and expense of application ; (3) simple, so as to avoid as far as possible all chance 

 of mistakes in applying it. 



At the last meeting of the Association, in Champaign, 111., I had the honor of a con- 

 versation with Assistant Secretary, the Hon. Edwin Willits, and he mentioned that he 



