115 



It is suggested that a knowledge of the chemistry of petroleum may 

 make it possible to find compounds that are fatal to insects and not 

 injurious to plants. In addition to these properties, an ideal contact 

 insecticide should keep well and be applicable either in liquid or 

 dust form. 



Newell (W.). Presidential Letter. — //. Econ. Ent., Concord, N.H., 

 xiii, no. 6, December 1920, pp. 447-449. 



Complaints are often made as to the inadequate remuneration of 

 entomologists compared to the value of their services. The importance 

 of this profession to agricultural production has not yet been fully 

 realised by the public. It is within the power of the economic ento- 

 mologist to make his services indispensable by inaugurating, executing, 

 and completing projects of magnitude that either prevent enormous 

 losses from injurious insects or make the recurrence of such losses 

 impossible. Too few efforts at eradication in the entomological 

 field have been made in the past, whereas too much stress has been laid 

 on measures that are merely palliatives. 



Pierce (W. D.). Commercial Entom.ology and the Service it can 

 rander to organised Agriculture. — //. Econ. Ent., Concord, 

 N.H.. xiii, no. 6, December 1920, pp. 449-456. 



The only valid reason for the existence of any profession is the service 

 it can render to humanity. Entomologists have it in their power to 

 reduce agricultural losses by the application of their knowledge to 

 the eradication of the many existing insect pests. This can only be 

 done on a large scale by a business organisation. The control of 

 widespread pests is no longer a function of the Government, but that 

 of private enterprise, in which the Government 'may assume the role 

 of adviser. The ever-increasing need for commercial entomology 

 to fight insects and disease from a business standpoint is emphasised. 

 Co-operative action of growers is also essential, as practically any 

 insect can bridge the gaps and barriers that separate treated from 

 untreated fields. 



Melander (A. L.). An Index Number for Rating Codling Moth 

 Treatm.ents. — //. Econ. Ent., Concord, A'. //., xiii, no. 6, December 

 1920, pp. 456-458. 



The larvae of the codling moth \Cydia pomonella] that die on their 

 way into an apple generally produce a characteristic sting. It is 

 suggested that the ratio of caterpillars to stings affords a more depend- 

 able index of the value of various sprays than the customary per- 

 centage of final infestation. This method cannot be applied to the 

 calyx spray. As the effects of repellent additions to the spray or of 

 thickened apple skin may interfere with the validity of the index 

 number, their range should be investigated. 



Rlxford (G. p.). Sym.biosis of Blastophaga and the Fig Family.— 

 Jl. Econ. Ent., Concord, N.H., xiii, no. 6, December 1920, 

 pp. 459-463. 



Blastophaga oviposits in the winter crop of the capritig, which 

 forms in the autumn on the wood of the current season. The larvae 

 (1912) k2 



