46 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 15 



are there not some great basic problems practically untouched? As 

 illustrations, one might mention the reciprocal relations of soils and 

 insects, the influence of temperature and moisture on insect life, the 

 breeding of insect-resistant varieties of plants, and the relation of 

 insects to the dissemination of plant diseases. Would it not be a good 

 plan for this Association to make a thorough study of our multiplicity 

 of research problems and endeavor to decide what are the most essential, 

 and then plan for concerted attack on the large problems, especially 

 those that require numerous cooperative workers? But, it is not my 

 purpose to discuss the research problem, as basic as it may be, for here 

 again the subcommittee on research of the Committee on Policy is 

 studying this phase of our entomological work, and I hope we may 

 soon have from them a report on this important problem. 



Cooperation 



Although the importance of fundamental training and research 

 cannot be over-emphasized, and while I would not in any way minimize 

 these two problems, there is, in my opinion, a larger problem, namely 

 cooperation, or the development of a workable plan for coordinating 

 and harmonizing all activities not only in entomology but also in related 

 fields. In the final analysis is not the ultimate purpose of all research 

 to serve the public, and can this ever be fully accomplis.hed unless 

 the closest cooperation and sympathy exist? I am well aware that in 

 recent years so much has been said about cooperation and there have 

 been so many failures that the word "cooperation," like the word 

 "brotherhood," has become repulsive to some. Yet, by placing con- 

 stant emphasis on the problem, may we not expect our efforts to lead 

 to constructive activities" True, there will always be in each group 

 some individuals who are intensely selfish and who seek every advantage 

 for themselves without regard to the interest of the public, but the 

 hopeful sign at the present is the realization that those who take the 

 larger view are increasing steadily, and the spirit of cooperation is 

 growing. 



One of the essential requirements for the largest success of a research 

 worker is that he be imbued with a spirit of altruism. If there is any 

 class of scientific men that should appreciate the value of cooperation 

 and recognize the wonderful opportunities offered for cooperation, 

 and be able to profit from the failures due to the lack of cooperation, 

 it is the economic entomologist. He is engaged in a work that not 

 only reaches out in its great variety of activities, and touches almost 

 every vocation and activity of life, but which also has many striking 

 examples of work accomplished through cooperative activities, as 



