158 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 14: 



through the sides of the fruit. This, however, may not be borne out 

 by a careful investigation of the actual facts. 



When I consider the foregoing facts which have been inadequately 

 and briefly stated I become lost in a quandry regarding the most effec- 

 tive method of control for the codling moth and the following questions 

 suggest themselves: 



1 . Will it not be necessary for us to determine the habits of the larvae 

 in any given region before being able to recommend reasonably effective 

 control measures? 



2. Is there a marked difference in the degree of calyx closure in dif- 

 ferent varieties of apples and if so is this a determining factor of the 

 ratio of side and calyx entrants? 



3. Should not this matter of calyx closure and its relation to the habits 

 of the larvae be more fully investigated ? 



4. Do the rapidity and degree of calyx closure vary with the seasons- 

 and if so are they correlated with the ratio of side and calyx entrants? 



5. Does the great variation in appearance of the moths in spring in 

 different seasons bear any relation to the ratio of side and calyx entrants 

 during that season ? 



6. Should not this whole question be investigated from a new angle 

 and with a somewhat new viewpoint ? 



7. Is there not here a fine opportunity for a piece of cooperative 

 research covering the whole apple area of the United States which may 

 result in a fund of information on which we may be able to base more 

 rational and effective methods of control? 



It may be that the project is broad enough to be brought before the 

 national Research Council for its aid and encouragement. Personally, 

 I believe I could use a considerable sum annually for the next five years- 

 in a profitable investigation of this problem with the foregoing facts as a 

 background. 



The question is broad enough to interest the chemist and possibly the 

 physicist. I am particularly impressed with the desirability of enlisting 

 the chemist when I am reminded of the problem of the assimilation of 

 some forms of poison and the non-assimilation of other forms by cater- 

 pillars and the consequent effectiveness of some arsenates and the 

 ineffectiveness of others. I am also impressed with the possible aid 

 that the chemist can give in this problem and perhaps the physicist also, 

 when I recall the meager but very interesting and highly promising work 

 that has been done with the so-called "spreaders" and "stickers" that 

 have been added to poison spray materials to produce a complete and 

 permanent film over foliage and fruit so that nowhere can a caterpillar 

 find unpoisoned food. I believe we are on the threshold of important 

 advances in control methods for insect pests. 



