182 



fifty-four .species of insects were found to inhabit the chestnut. 

 We find that otlier observers have recorded one hundred and 

 sixt3'-four species. i\\ eliminating- all duplications, the total 

 is four hundred and seventy-two. So you see that the chestnut 

 is pretty well inliahited l>y insects. This is only a beginning. 

 There are many moi-e insects to be found on I he live and a great 

 deal to be h'arned about them as a basis for i)ractical conclu- 

 sions and action. >V more specific and comprehensive study of 

 chestnut insects is now being carried on under a' special project 

 of the ISrancJi of l-'oresj Insects of llie Ilnreau of ICntomology. 

 This investigation will be extended into all parts of the country 

 where the chestnut is, oi- has been, an im])()rtaut forest tree, and 

 especially in those States and sections where the people represent- 

 ing the private, municij»al, and State ownei-shij) manifest a 

 special interest in this phase of the problem. We are assured of 

 the co-operation of the Commission and other State officials in 

 the work carried on in Pennsylvania and we hope to have the 

 co-operation of other States in any work done Avithin their boun- 

 daries. 



PossihUHics of Coiifml. 



You will note that 1 am not discussing the control of the dis- 

 ease, because I do not pretend to know anything about that, but 

 that, as the insects are related to the trouble and the primary 

 cause of the wounds, we must consider control of the insects as 

 a priuuiry measure. 



In the consideration of the possibilities of controling depre- 

 dations by the insects, it umy be stated that under certain con- 

 ditions of public interesi, wilh facilities for utilizatifui of the 

 atfecicfl ]»rodncl, and ^^"itll ;i knowledge of tlie hmdanienial faels 

 and ])rin('iples rei.'iling lo the depi-edators and flieii- ronlrol, it 

 is entirely jM)ssibIe and as a business ])roposi(ion il will pay. 



On the other iiand, il has been forcibly demonsti-.iled in a 

 number of cases that have come under our observation that any 

 direct attempt to coml)at an insect depredator without a knowl- 

 edge of essential facts and principles will result in failure and 

 a waste of energy and money. It has been shown that a few hun- 

 dred dollars expended in practical application after the essen- 

 tial facts have been determined will accomplish more than many 

 thonsands of dollars expended without such knowledge. In 



