SCOPE AND STATUS OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. 21 



nesses, as much as anything. else, that has hindered the development 

 of silk growing in this country. Inertia in human affairs is the rock 

 upon which more than one commendable enterprise has gone to pieces. 



Let us ho])e that -this will not be the fate of the silk-growing enter- 

 prise at Tallulah Lodge. 



On a tract of 3,500 acres of land bordering the Tugalo River, 

 Georgia, Mr. Louis Magid has planted large numbers of the white 

 mulberry and has, since 1902, been actively engaged in teaching 

 orally and by the press the essential facts in the rearing of silkworms. 

 His journal, " Silk," has greatly helped in arousing an interest among 

 entomologists and others scattered over the country beyond the imme- 

 diate influence of his practical operations and j^ersonal influence. 

 The prospect seems good for a successful launching of the industry 

 this time, and entomologists should aid him to the extent of getting 

 material, and teaching at the State colleges the life history and best 

 methods of rearing the silkworm. Of the thousands of insect species 

 in existence, the silkworm and honeybee are the only ones thus far 

 appropriated by man as his servants. A thorough practical knowl- 

 edge of both should be a part of the equipment of everj^ professional 

 entomologist. 



It is asserted on the best of authority that our climate and soils are 

 perfectly adapted to the silkworm and its food plant. From my own 

 knowledge, I can say that it is easily reared in any part of the United 

 States in which I have seen it tested. The silk produced here is be- 

 lieved to be not inferior to that produced anywhere else in the world. 

 The rapid development of silk numufacturing in this country, and 

 the large quantities of raw silk that nuist be imported to keep our 

 factories occupied, is another incentive to those endeavoring to set 

 on foot the production of the raw silk. Among foreign countries, 

 France only is said to manufacture more silk fabrics than this coun- 

 try. Fifty silk mills are reported to have been established in seven 

 States of the Union in 1903 alone. Statistics gathered show that w^e 

 pay annually something like $100,000,000 to foreign countries for 

 raw and manufactured silks. It would, we may suppose, add very 

 materially to our prosperity if silk raising could be developed to such 

 an extent as to keep most of this money at home. 



NURSERY AND ORCHARD INSPECTION. 



I come now to a feature of the work of the official economic ento- 

 mologist that has during the past ten years attracted more attention 

 than any other. Nursery inspection has become one of the most 

 exacting if not one of the most important departments of his Work. 

 It has brought him into relation with the machinery of his State 

 government and required of him in this relation duties and a kind 



