9 



Jassidae, and of Professor Slingorland with the codling- moth. Man}^ 

 good examples have been set us in this work by Drs. Riley and 

 Howard and their able staft' of assistants. There is this difference, 

 however, in the duties of the Government entomologist. He must 

 see that all portions of the country have a share of his attention, for 

 he is the servant of all, and the publications from his office indicate 

 that he is doing well his duty in this regard. 



In this connection I will pause long enough to say that it is not 

 necessar}^ to take for stud}^ some new pest that has never been intro- 

 duced to the world. Much of the verj^ best work in the investigation 

 of life histories has been with the old pests that we were supposed to 

 know perf ectl3^ Since the work of Messrs. Washburn, Card, and Slin- 

 gerland upon the codling moth we almost feel that we now have a new 

 insect to talk about to the fruit growers in our respective States. A 

 thorough study of ahiiost an}^ of the long-known pests would doubt- 

 less bring out valuable new discoveries in habits, and result in the 

 employment of better means of prevention or remedy. 



But we are not simply to make and report new discoveries; we are 

 to ''discuss" them when we meet on these occasions. These discus- 

 sions are not alone for those who are to learn for the first time of the 

 new discovery. If one knows that whatever he reports here will be 

 closel}^ criticised by those who are present, he will be more careful to 

 make sure of his conclusions before communicating them to the pub- 

 lic, and the standard of our work will be raised to a higher level. 



So let us bear in mind the words of Dr. Fletcher in his presi- 

 dential address in 1891, wherein he urged that we discuss all our 

 experiences freely and in an informal manner at these meetings. 



Here, again, we have followed in a commendable degree the letter of 

 our constitution. But discussion ma}^ do good or harm, depending 

 upon the manner in which it is given; and there have been occasions 

 when criticisms were not wholly in the friendly spirit which ought 

 always to characterize them. Let our discussions never have any 

 unnecessary bitterness in them. An adverse criticism, at the best, is 

 not a pleasant morsel. If it is needed, let it come, but let it always 

 come as of necessity. Make a child feel that his chastisement is nec- 

 essary, that he has brought it upon himself, and that the infliction of 

 it is a duty and not a delight, and you will not incur his estrangement 

 or hatred by giving it, and he will take a deep interest in seeing that 

 there shall be no occasion for its repetition. The usefulness of our 

 organization, as of any other, depends upon united efi'orts and a 

 feeling of brotherhood among its members. 



Next, it is our duty, according to our constitution, ""to exchange 

 experiences and carefully consider best methods of work." Experi- 

 ence meetings are not monopolized by religious associations. They 

 are equally important to the success of all organized effort. No one 



