February, '17] EDITORIAL 229 



It is to be hoped that in embracing this opportunity, we may gain 

 strength and enter a greater field of usefulness. Efficient tools are 

 most assuredly worth while and if they are not at hand, it certainly is 

 worth while to pause long enough to secure the necessary equipment, 

 be it physical apparatus, requisite training or a comprehensive index. 



."I never before addressed such a distinguished audience," was 

 the sentiment expressed by one of our members in regard to the recent 

 meetings. These words were from a well-known entomologist whom 

 many delight to honor. It is true that these gatherings of entomolo- 

 gists are assemblages of fellow-workers, but who are they? Leaders 

 of entomological work in its manifold applications in the various states, 

 the nation and, to a certain extent, throughout the world are to be 

 found, as nowhere else, in this relatively small group. Some are men 

 of affairs accustomed to mold national and state policies in matters 

 relating to insect control. They are all eager to learn the latest de- 

 velopments which may be of service in their work and most of them 

 have only a limited amount of time which can be used in this way. 

 These facts justify care in the preparation and delivery of papers so 

 that there should be no ground for the following from a recent com- 

 munication to the editor: 



Why on earth people who have something to say which is worth heaiing should 

 not take the slight trouble to learn how to make it heard is one of the strange 

 mysteiies of modern life. 



A. CoxAN Doyle. 



"The amount of mumbling and indistinct talk at the New York 

 meetings was extremely marked, and in my opinion rendered worthless 

 many of the papers, and a great deal of the discussion. Anyone who 

 has anything to say which is worth saying should take pains to speak 

 distinctly if he desires to receive credit for it." 



It is not contended that these faults are peculiar to entomologists. 

 They are human traits. Economic entomologists are mostly public 

 men; they should speak clearly, address the audience not charts or 

 lantern projections and prepare the paper so that it will give a compre- 

 hensive idea of the subject within the time limits. We should take a 

 professional pride in method of presentation and delivery as well as 

 in investigation and administration. 



D. J. Caffrey, Bureau of Entomology, reports the presence of Toxoptera graminum 

 in the vicinity of Springer, N. M., and states that some of the aphids sui'vived the 

 recent cold snap when the temperature dropped to about zero, Fahrenheit. A recent 

 examination showed that wingless aphids were present in the fields. A few parasit- 

 ized specimens were collected during the first week in November from which adult 

 specimens of Aphidius testaceipes were reared. 



