Bozeman, Montana 

 November 20, 1946 



To His Excellency 

 Gk>vernor Sam C. Ford 

 State House 

 Helena, Montana 

 My Dear Sir: 



I take pleasure in presenting herewith the Thirty-first Report of the 

 State Entomologist of Montana, covering the years 1945 and 1946. 



This report deals with cooperative large-scale insect control programs, 

 the status of our more important or unusual insect control problems, and 

 newly introduced pests. 



There have been some changes in the personnel of this office since the 

 last report to you. Mr. O. B. Hitchcock, who was on military leave during 

 the war period, returned to his duties on January 1, 1946, and Dr. J. A. 

 Callenbach, who replaced him temporarily, is now on the staff of the Mon- 

 tana State College and Agricultural Experiment Station. It has been possible 

 to fiU the position of State Apiarist, vacated through the resignation of Mr. 

 J. F. Reinhardt, by the employment of Mr. Ralph Schmiedeskamp, a young 

 man of considerable bee-keeping experience. 



Demands on this office continue to be heavy, and control work on the 

 several important and wide.^pread insects requires much time. The work of 

 the Apiculture Section has grown greatly, and law enforcement activities 

 have subtracted from time available for disease control. The Apiculture Law 

 was tested in District Court at Hardin in December, 1945, and upheld by a 

 unanimous jury verdict. 



If the duties of this office are to be properly p>erfomied in the next 

 biennium, an increased budget is essential. Additional funds are needed for 

 increases in salaries to offset higher living costs, for office help, and for 

 seasonal assistance in the Apiculture Division. It was necessary, for finan- 

 cial reasons, to terminate the duty of a deputy bee inspector at a critical 

 time in 1946. The automotive equipment is old, the upkeep high, and the need 

 great for replacement. 



Respectfully submitted, 



H.\KLOW B. IVnLX.S 



State Entomologist 



