JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 



OFFICIAL ORGAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS 



AUGUST, 1910 



The editors will thankfully receive news items and other matter likely to be of in- 

 terest to subscribers. Papers will be published, so far as possible, in the order of re- 

 ception. All extended contributions, at least, should be in the hands of the editor the 

 first of the month preceding publication. Reprints may be obtained at cost. Con- 

 tributors are requested to supply electrotypes for the larger illustrations so far as pos- 

 sible. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — Eds. 



The dissemination of information is a most important function of 

 the economic entomologist, since his efficiency is dependent in con- 

 siderable measure upon the general adoption of his recommendations. 

 We have in this issue a discussion of exhibition methods, with special 

 relation to state and county fairs. There is much of value in the 

 paper, though methods of service in Ohio may not be equally effective 

 in other sections of the country. We believe most heartily in attract- 

 ing first and then instructing, if the latter be possible. A well ar- 

 ranged exhibit collection should appeal to men from various sides. 

 It is not sufficient to attract those who recognize their need for in- 

 formation. We should stimulate the appetite if necessary, though at- 

 tractive features should not be allowed to dwarf and crowd the more 

 instructive and practical portions of the exhibit. Every exhibit 

 collection has its strong and its weak points. We believe this paper 

 should be followed by others, discussing the problem from various as- 

 pects. The educational value of a well planned exhibit is certainly 

 very great. 



The gyspy moth has occupied a prominent place economically in 

 America for the past twenty years. Enormous sums have been ex- 

 pended in attempts to exterminate the insect, and now large appro- 

 priations are being used in suppressive work. The experience of re- 

 cent years has shown that not all the important factors governing the 

 distribution of this insect were known. The paper by ]\Ir. Collins 

 establishes the possibility of small birds eating the eggs and drop- 

 ping them in a viable condition in places remote from human habita- 

 tion. Several colonies have been found under such conditions and 

 this suggestive paper is of great value in indicating a possible method 

 of distribution. It may be that there are other hitherto unrecog- 

 nized agencies which play an important part in the dissemination of 

 this pest. It is hardly necessary to add that the successful control of 

 this as well as all other injurious species depends in large measure 

 upon exact biological information. We cannot know too much about 

 an insect pest. 



