REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I905 55 



Voluntary observers. The voluntary observers have continued 

 to send reports throughout the growing- season and a number of 

 valuable facts were brought to our notice in this way. These re- 

 ports, with the advance of years, will constitute a unique record 

 of the abundance and destructiveness of various pests in New York 

 State, which should prove of great service to all those interested 

 in securing data on insect outbreaks and causes controlling the 

 same. 



Historical. It is 50 years since the first report on injurious 

 and beneficial insects was published by Dr Asa Fitch, then ento- 

 mologist to the State Agricultural Society and practically State 

 Entomologist. This document, unique as the first report on in- 

 jurious insects in this country by a salaried State official, was the 

 precursor of a magnificent series, 14 in all, consisting of over iioo 

 pages of largely original matter. These publications deal with in- 

 sects affecting the agriculturist, special attention being paid to those 

 depredating on grain and garden crops, fruit and forest trees, and 

 constitute invaluable records to which economic entomologists must 

 frequently refer. A decade elapsed between the appearance of the 

 last report prepared by Dr Fitch and the first written by Dr Joseph 

 A. Lintner. State Entomologist, though the latter published a num- 

 ber of practical entomologic articles and did considerable work 

 along economic lines during this period. 



Dr Lintner was first appointed State Entomologist in 1880, and 

 the quarter century since elapsing has been very prolific. During 

 his term of office he prepared 13 important reports beside several 

 minor ones and contributed over 900 independent articles to the 

 agricultural and horticultural press. His studies and investiga- 

 tions Were devoted chiefly to insects of prime economic importance, 

 such grass pests as the army worm receiving careful attention, 

 while species depredating on fruit and forest trees were by no means 

 neglected. His official publications, extending over a period of 18 

 years, comprise a very valuable addition to economic literature and 

 rank high in the estimation of all practical entomologists. 



Later work of the office has been greatly facilitated by that done 

 in previous years, the earlier records and collections proving ex- 

 ceedingly valuable. Large collections, particularly along special 

 lines, have been characteristic of this recent work. Important ex- 

 hibits of injurious insects have been prepared and maintained and 

 interesting collections sent to the large expositions held at Bufifalo, 

 N. Y. and St Louis, Mo., all aiding in bringing the work of the 



