PROFESSOR MARK VERNON SLINGERLAND 



Professor Slingerland, a list of whose scientific writings follows, played 

 a very important part in the more recent development of economic 

 entomology in this country — that development which followed the 

 establishment of the federal agricultural experiment stations. He was 

 one of that large group of young men who found opportunities to devote 

 themselves to scientific work through the establishment of these stations, 

 and who by their efforts have proved the wisdom of such govermental 

 aid to agriculture. 



Professor Slingerland's call to his life work came to him suddenly and 

 with irresistible force. When he came to Cornell he knew nothing of 

 entomology. In speaking of this fact afterward he said that when he 

 entered the University he did not know that a butterfly was developed 

 from a caterpillar. During his freshman year he listened to a lecture 

 on the transformations and habits of insects, and the wonders of the 

 insect world took such a deep hold on his imagination that he could not 

 sleep during the following night. From that moment there was no doubt 

 in his mind of what his life work should be. 



At this time he was defraying his college expenses by taking care of 

 the then recently erected insectary. Opportunity was soon given him 

 to take part in the entomological work that was being conducted in this 

 building. He proved to be so efficient in this work that while yet an 

 undergraduate he was made Assistant Entomologist of the Experiment 

 Station. 



This appointment was made in 1890. During that year and the year 

 following, bulletins on fruit insects and on wireworms were published 

 jointly by the writer of this sketch and Mr. Slingerland. After the 

 publication of these bulletins the entomological work of the experiment 

 station was conducted almost entirely by Mr. Slingerland, and the work 

 remained in his charge until his death. 



In 1892 Mr. Slingerland completed his college course, graduating 

 with the degree of B.S. in Agr. At this time he was given the rank of 

 Instructor in Entomology; and in 1899 he was made Assistant Professor 

 of Economic Entomology, which position he held until his death on 

 March 11, 1909. 



Professor Slingerland's life was an exceedingly active one. In the 

 seventeen years that intervened between his graduation and his death, 

 he faithfully performed the duties of a teacher and found time for researches 

 that made for him an international reputation. 



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