Proceedings, 1913. 27 



by this valuable system of in'otectioii to aid by all lawful means those who are 

 appoiutetl from time to time to enforce the horticultural laws of British Columbia. 



The reorganization of this Society is bound to have an important and beneficial 

 effect on the agricultural and horticultural development of this Province. The 

 presence of trained experts here to-day, to give us the benefit of their research and 

 experiments, is a sure guarantee of a great forward and benevolent movement for 

 the good of all concerued. 



May our deliberations result in stimulating our people to greater efforts and 

 deeper research in all matters that pertain to insect-life and plant pathology is llie 

 earnest desire of the Inspector of Fruit Pests. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY AS A SUBJECT OF 

 EDUCATION. 



By M. II. KuHMAN, Gkand Fokks. BX'. 



In this vast country with its wonderful agricultural and hortirulf ural future the 

 study of economic entomology is of vital importance to the general welfare of the 

 country. The business-man in town is as much concerned as the farmer, fruit-grower, 

 and lumberman ; the success of our agricultural communities and forestry-work will 

 always, In a great measure, affect the business of our cities and towns and the general 

 finances of the country. 



With the rapid development of the land, the insect pests are not yet very notice- 

 able, except in the more settled districts, but such pests as are native to this country, 

 and such introduced pests as have become established, are slowly but surely spreading 

 and increasing throughout the country, and consequently increasing the already great 

 annual loss of crops, which, in cash value to the individual grower, would be the 

 equivalent of a high rate of interest on his legitimate profits, which, if he only 

 realized the extent of this tax, he would surely try to avoid. 



It is stated that 50 per cent, of the insect pests of the United States of America 

 are introduced species. Introduced insect isests are generally the most serious and 

 the more difficult to control, as frequently the parasites of these pests do not exist 

 in the country into which they have been introduced, and as the parasites are by 

 far the best, and in some eases the only means of lieeping insect pests in control, 

 it therefore becomes essential that the life-histories of insect pests be studied, both 

 in this country and in the country or countries from which they have been introduced 

 (where they may not be considered serious on account of parasitic control), that 

 the parasites may also be introduced when found necessary. 



The very rigid inspection of nursery stock, plants, and fruit enforced in Canada 

 makes it almost impossible for insect pests to be introduced through the.se channels, 

 but there are minor channels through which insect pests could and probably are 

 being introduced which it would be impossible for the Government to entirely control. 

 I might mention such possibilities as migration from the United States of America, 

 introduction with general effects of immigrants and in material in which merchandise 

 is packed and shipped fi-om foreign countries; these minor channels are a real danger 

 which cannot be entirely avoided. The business-man in town may leave the packing 

 ■ material of imported products lying about, or uses it again for padving things for 

 shipment to home points instead of destroying it; also the farmers and fruit-growers 

 are apt to leave packing material about for some considerable time before destroying 

 it. thereby giving insect-eggs which it may contain an opportunity to hatch and the 

 minute larvie to get to some food-plant which may be near, or imagos may emerge 

 from pupaj which the packing may contain. 



The most destructive pests are generally very small and would, on that account 

 alone, escape notice; even the larger species if seen would not attract attention unless 

 the observer were a live entomologist. In the event of the introduction of a few 

 insect pests in this way they could escape notice for some considerable time, perhaps 



