132 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION 



We have also prepared and distributed about forty exhibits of 

 the weevil. These exhibits contain actual specimens of the weevil 

 in the various stages and parts of alfalfa plants that have been 

 injured by the insects. It is hoped that by means of the circular 

 and the exhibits, growers of alfalfa in various parts of the State may 

 learn to recognize the insect when it first appears in Montana. These 

 exhibits were placed in public buildings and attention was called 

 to them in local papers. 



There can be little doubt that the alfalfa weevil will reach Mon- 

 tana eventually, for year by year it is getting closer and closer by 

 cross-country spreading, but our present danger is from shipments 

 direct from infested localities. However, every year that it can be 

 delayed is distinctly worth while, for when it gets here it will cost 

 Montana annually large sums of money. 



THE SPOTTED FEVER TICK 



The situation regarding the spotted fever tick in Montana has 

 been materially changed during the past year. In December, 1913, 

 following a conference with the newly elected Governor, the State 

 entomologist went to Washington, D. C, in the hope of arousing 

 interest in an appropriation for work on tick eradication. 



AVe also conferred with representatives of the Bureau of Ento- 

 mology of the Department of Agriculture. Our senior senator later 

 introduced an amendment to the agricultural appropriation bill, which 

 had already passed the House, and was successful in getting passed 

 an appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars to be expended through 

 the Bureau of Entomology. The United States Public Health Ser- 

 vice has also allotted ten thousand dollars per year for work on 

 spotted fever and tick eradication, thus making a total of $25,000 

 per year from Federal sources. This is the first time that any con- 

 siderable sum lias been secured from the Federal government and 

 a distinctly new chapter in the tick work has thus been opened. 



The last legislature passed a bill to provide for the study and 

 control of insects which transmit human and animal diseases. By 

 the terms of this law the secretary of the State board of health, the 

 State veterinary surgeon, and the State entomologist are constituted 

 ex officio a State board of entomology with authority to prescribe 

 rules and regulations. The act carries an appropriation of $5,000 



