1 6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



a representative collection, itself an indispensable aid to the best 

 economic work, but is fundamental in establishing effective methods 

 of controlling many destructive insects. There is a great need of 

 a more adequate development of the work along these lines if the 

 entomological branch of the Museum is to discharge its full duty to 

 both State and Nation. 



Office matters. The assistant entomologist has been in charge 

 of the office and responsible for correspondence and other matters 

 during the absence of the Entomologist. The usual routine, except 

 as mentioned above, has fully occupied the time of various members 

 of the staff. The conduct of the Insect Pest Survey and* I'nformation 

 Service described above meant much extra work for all members of 

 the staff during the busier portion of the season. 



Nursery inspection. The nursery inspection work of the State 

 Department of Agriculture has resulted, as in former years, in a 

 nimiber of specimens representing various stages of insect develop- 

 ment, some in very poor condition, being submitted to this office 

 for identification. As such material may originate in a foreign 

 country, determinations of this character are laborious and require 

 for their successful prosecution a large collection and an excellent 

 library of both domestic and foreign works. The correct identifica- 

 tion of such material is important, since the disposal of an entire 

 shipment of nursery stock must depend in considerable measure 

 upon the character of the infestation. 



General. The work of the office has been materially aided, as 

 in past years, by the identification of a nimiber of species through the 

 courtesy of Dr L. 0. Howard, chief of the bureau of entomology. 

 United States Department of Agriculttue, and his associates. There 

 has been, as already stated, very effective cooperation with the State 

 Department of Agriculture, the New York State Food Supply 

 Commission and its agents, the county farm bureaus, the State 

 Experiment Station and other public welfare organizations in the 

 State. A nimiber of correspondents have donated valuable speci- 

 mens and many have rendered efficient service by transmitting 

 local data respecting various insects. It is a pleasure to note that 

 there has been, as in the past, a most helpful cooperation on the 

 part of all interested in the work of the office. 



Respectfully submitted 



EpHRAiM Porter Felt 

 October i6, 1917 State Entomologist 



