NATURE'S CRAFTSMEN 



of modern civilization carries more honorable deeds, or 

 more victorious, than that which records the recent ad- 

 venture of American science upon the mosquito host of 

 the yellow-fever germ. No battle-fields in Cuba and 

 upon her waters give witness to greater courage, skill, 

 and devotion to human welfare, in the highest sense of 

 those words, than that which marked the attack upon 

 the fever terror of Havana and other ports of the island. 

 The success achieved by the pioneers of the army of 

 sanitation, both entomological and medical, and by the 

 medical department of the United States army, is a fine 

 answer to those who challenge the practical value of 

 governmental war upon noxious and destructive insects. 

 It is now well understood by those practically inter- 

 ested in raising fruits, berries, flowers, hops, and the 

 standard cereals, that unceasing vigilance and intelli- 

 gent war upon hostile insects are required to assure suc- 

 cessful crops. The profitable agriculture, horticulture, 

 and arboriculture of the future will be more and more 

 allied with economic entomology. A penny-wise and 

 pound-foolish policy on the part of the government and 

 the people will prolong the struggle and the losses and 

 aggravate the situation. We spend millions to defend 

 our coasts and our maritime interests from possible 

 spoliation by hypothetical enemies. Very well. But 

 here is an actual annual loss of over eight hundred 

 million dollars inflicted by foes perennially present and 

 active. Shall we palter with such a danger, and dole 

 out grudgingly the pittance that heretofore has been 

 allowed? That were, indeed, to be penny wise and 

 pound foolish; or, to quote another homely proverb, 

 that would be " saving at the spigot and letting out at 

 the bung." 



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