February, '10] ENTOMOLOGISTS' DISCUSSION 31 



iug in New Hampshire four or five years ago I thought it would be 

 many years before any large number of our farmers would be spray- 

 ing their orchards, but during the last year there were over 400 who 

 did so. That is a small number, but the state is small, and it shows a 

 tremendous progress in a few years. 



Mr. Hitchings: Our President referred to the exhibits made at 

 the fairs and similar associations in the state, and I think that this is a 

 very important factor in our work, as by such exhibitions we come in 

 contact with many farmers. In the past two years, however, we have 

 had so many demands in this line that we could not attend to all of 

 them. 



Mr. Felt: I wish to express my personal pleasure and gratifica- 

 tion at the address delivered by our President this morning. I think, 

 in reference to circular letters, however, that these should be used 

 with discretion. In New York state, I fear the recipient of such a 

 letter would pay undue attention to things which are not of primary 

 importance. I prefer to deal directly mth the local conditions of the 

 correspondent. 



A jMember : We do not as a matter of practice use circular letters, 

 Dut I recognize the practicability of giving certain information in that 

 way. I believe our experience has justified this, and of course in cer- 

 tain instances I feel it is better to give the information desired, and 

 not allow the recipient to draw his conclusions, according to his own 

 understanding of the matter. 



A Member : I think that point of Doctor Felt's will appeal to some 

 who receive circular letters. If a question is asked one of our inspec- 

 tors, and the man receives a letter, he will appreciate it very much 

 more, and will take advantage of the suggestions made much more 

 often, than if a brief letter, is ^\Titten him, and a circular tucked in. 

 In some cases it might be better to wT:'ite a few more letters and give 

 more detail to the man who applies for information, rather than send 

 out a great number of circular letters that would never be read. 



Mr. Headlee : We think that it is a great mistake to send all pub- 

 lications to every member of our mailing list. A man who opens a 

 large number of franked envelopes and finds nothing of value is likely 

 to develop the habit of throwing such matter unopened into the waste 

 basket. In fact, I think that this habit is now so well fixed in certain 

 quarters that to insure especially important information reaching the 

 person for whom it is intended it is necessary to enclose it in a regular 

 tvv'o-cent envelope. The mailing list should be so revised for each, 

 mailing that the information will always be sent where needed. 



]\Ir. Hewitt : I wish to thank our President for his very excellent 



