22 



Mr. Gillette ^id he considered the matter of parasites one of great 

 interest, and he hoped the subject would be further discussed. In 

 Colorado nature often seemed out of balance. There are a number of 

 species which are not alnindant in the East, but which are very inju- 

 rious in Colorado, and he thought it was because the parasites have not 

 been carried to that section of the country. In his opinion it would 

 be of the greatest benefit to certain portions of the country to intro- 

 duce insect enemies, both parasitic and predaceous. 



Mr. Howard said he desired to call the attention of the members of 

 the Association to the fact that this was the most representative meet- 

 ing of the Association ever held. Not onl}^ was Mr. Woodworth, of 

 California, present, with Mr. Fernald, of Massachusetts, Mr. Weed, of 

 New Hampshire, and Messrs. Quaintance and Scott, of the Southern 

 States, but also "'our dear old friend," Mr. Fletcher, of Canada, and 

 Mr. Lounsbury, who had carried American economic entomology clear 

 across the Atlantic Ocean to South Africa. Mr. Currie, the under sec- 

 retary of agriculture for Cape Colony, who was recently visiting Mr. 

 Howard in Washington, had said that he was very glad indeed that he 

 had sent for an American entomologist to come to the Cape, and con- 

 gratulated his department upon being able to secure such a man as Mr. 

 Lounsbury. Mr. Howard further stated that while on this discussion 

 of scale insects it was well to call attention to the fact that there was 

 present in the room the man who first started the study of scale insects 

 in this country — Professor Comstock, of Cornell University — and he 

 suggested that Professor Comstock be called upon to say a few words. 



Mr. Comstock stated that his knowledge of scale insects was a mat- 

 ter of ancient history. It was fifteen years since he had been drawn 

 away from their study by other duties. Now when scale insects are 

 sent to him, as they are very often, he sends them to Mr. Howard. He 

 was very glad to meet with the Association, but regretted that he was 

 in bad health and probably would not be able to remain through the 

 sessions. So, if he was not present at the meetings it was not because 

 his heart was not with the Association. 



Mr. Felt then presented the following paper: 



SOME EFFECTS OF EARLY SPRING APPLICATIONS OF INSECTI- 

 CIDES ON FRUIT TREES. 



By E. P. Felt, Albaru/, N. Y. 



We have heard considerable in recent months about the value of 

 crude petroleum as an insecticide, and one entomologist has stated, 

 in giving his conclusions regarding its efi^ects on fruit trees, that 

 this substance "is harmless to the most tender varieties and on the 

 youngest trees." There is no doubt but that crude petroleum pos- 

 sesses valuable properties, but in the light of results obtained in the 



