REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1899 551 
scientist and the public, but to the observer. Though the appointments 
were unfortunately delayed longer than was desired, it is a decided 
advantage to begin such work when there is plenty to see. 
In work of this nature it is difficult to make definite statements 
regarding the value of the service. There are now 43 observers on the 
list, representing 39 counties. If we summarize the work to Saturday, 
August 12, since which date there has been relatively little to report on 
account of the dry weather and the natural partial cessation of insect 
activities, a total of 200 reports have been received, a little over 15 for 
each of the 13 weeks, or an average for each observer, if we deduct the 
names of those who for some cause have failed to send in one report, of 
five each. On looking over the record it will be found that three observers 
have submitted but one report during the season; four, two reports ; four, 
three reports; and six, four reports. ‘Though these numbers are low for 
a period of 13 weeks, it must be remembered that this is a voluntary 
service on the part of the individual and in some instances was under- 
taken simply to help on what was regarded as a good work. During 
this period some have been ill, others have changed their plans and have 
found themselves away from home much more than was expected in the 
early spring. A few have sent in reports only when they saw something, 
and I have been assured from certain localities that no injurious insects 
had proved troublesome. While an entomologist, who had the training 
and the leisure to look for insects, would find much of interest, the case 1s 
by no means the same when a busy man undertakes the task with little 
or no previous training. Though a number have sent in relatively few 
reports, others have been most faithful and have proved themselves 
valuable agents. During this period, two observers sent in 11 reports; 
two, 10; and three, nine. As is well known to naturalists, the value of 
the report lies in its contents and not initslength. In this respect, most of 
the reports have averaged very well, while those of a few observers could 
hardly be improved. Abridged summaries of the reports received from 
the voluntary observers have been printed weekly in the Country gentle- 
man, published at Albany, and almost weekly in the ew York farmer, 
published at Port Jervis. Copies of the earlier summaries were sent to 
several other agricultural papers having a circulation in New York state, 
but, as they did not care to use the matter, no more were sent to them. 
In summarizing, it will be interesting to see how the establishment of 
the organization has accomplished the desired ends. The correspondence 
of the office has been very much larger the present season than in any 
since my connection with it. Some of the increase was undoubtedly due 
