February, '21] business proceedings 11 



At the election of officers at the May meeting of the Division, your representative 

 was elected a member of the executive committee for the current year. 



At a conference, held in Albany, N. Y., on April 19 there was submitted for con- 

 sideration by the Committee of Policy two investigational projects as follows: 

 1, Suggested Plan for Investigation of Permanent Pasture and Meadow by Dr. 

 Herbert Osborn; and 2, Investigation of Forest Insects by Dr. W. A. Riley. Both 

 problems were heartily commended ; but, it was deemed unwise to refer them at this 

 time to the Council for approval as no funds were available to support the investi- 

 gations. 



The National Research Council is primarily a congress of the scientists of the 

 country, and its organization is largely based on the national scientific societies. 

 Projects are carried on by men who come in contact with the Council someway or 

 other through the various scientific organizations. As regards financial support, 

 the endowment provides for funds for administrative purposes and does not allow 

 large sums of money for specific pieces of research. At the present time, it is largely 

 the task of the societies to secure funds for their individual projects. The establish- 

 ment of this policy, together with the successful efforts of various groups of workers 

 in securing financial support for their specific undertakings, were the chief factors, 

 that prompted the organization of the Crop Protection Institute. 



While funds have not yet been obtained for the support of the foregoing projects, 

 only good can develop from efforts that focus attention on them. Constant empha- 

 sis of promising problems should eventually lead to constructive activities, whereas 

 if these are left to the accidents of individual initiative, action may be indefinitely 

 postponed. 



The Research Council serves a most useful function in promoting cooperation, 

 coordination and correlation of scientific efforts and in encouraging collective action 

 by the different societies of a kind not heretofore generally attempted by individuals 

 or by private and public institutions. Through its assistance the Committee of 

 Entomology can render important service in encouraging research in the field of 

 entomology. With adequate financial support, it should also be able to conduct 

 large cooperative activities among entomologists, having as their object field demon- 

 stration of scientific results and standardization of control measures, which are applic- 

 able to large geographical areas; efforts that receive little encouragement or financial 

 aid from existing institutions. There also exists a large opportunity for enlisting the 

 support of men of affairs, who can assist in coordinating civilian enterprises with 

 entomological activities and shaping public sentiment in its judgment of the character 

 and efficiency of entomological efforts in behalf of national welfare. Industrial 

 concerns, individually and collectively, are prepared to grant funds for the investiga- 

 tion of special practical problems. Conferences between entomologists and repre- 

 sentatives of industrial enterprises afford also opportunity for the exchange of ideas 

 and advantageous consultation, which should result in the speeding up of research 

 and experimental activities on problems of outstanding importance. Careful con- 

 sideration needs to be given to the fundamental principles involved in these under- 

 takings, and to the development of detailed plans, which will insure efficient direc- 

 tion of the approved projects. 



There is a manifest need for greater unification of efforts, that the agricultural 

 industry may feel the force of our work in solid impact, not singly at special points 

 here and there but along the whole front. Entomologists have exceptional oppor- 

 tunities to develop a demonstration of whole-hearted cooperation in tasks related 

 to the welfare of agriculture. Discerning workers will surely not fail to lend their 

 support in fostering mutiial confidence and good will in cooperative effort, which will 

 make the Association a more productive servant of the country. 



