THE PINE INVESTIGATION. 323 



stored in a cool, dry room in the basement of the Station build- 

 ing, where the conditions were thought to be most favor- 

 able for them to remain alive until spring. 



AN EFFORT TO SECURE LEGISLATION WITH REFERENCE TO THE CON- 

 TROL OF FOREST INSECTS. 



During the winter arrangements were made to import the 

 Clerids from Germany in the greatest possible numbers, and to 

 distribute them throughout the infested forests in the most thor- 

 ough manner. Realizing the importance of additional funds 

 to that available from the Experiment Station and voluntary 

 contributions, for the successful prosecution of the work, it was 

 thought the State Legislature should make some provisions for 

 more thorough prosecution of the work than would otherwise 

 be possible. Therefore, the following letter was prepared 

 by the Director of the Station on Nov. 26th, 1893, and copies 

 sent to the members of the State Legislature then in session: 



IMPORTANCE OF HAVING MORE ENTOMOLOGICAL WORK DONE IN THE STATE 



AND THE DESIRABILITY OF THE LEGISLATURE MAKING 



PROVISION FOR IT. 



(Copy of letter to Legislators.) 



Through extended and careful investigation by the Entomologist of the 

 Experiment Station at Morgantown, it has been ascertained that the pine 

 timber on large areas in different sections of the State is being killed b> a 

 certain insect, which burrows under the bark of the living trees. He has 

 found that the white and yellow pine timber on many thousands of acres, 

 and even square miles, in this State has died, and, in most cases become a 

 total loss; that the insects are spreading to healthy forests of pine, and are 

 invading the extensive spruce forests, threatening a universal destruction 

 of the pine and spruce timber of the State. 



Upon the recommendation of the Entomologist in his report on his in- 

 vestigation, it was deemed advisable by the Staton authorities to send him 

 to Europe to collect and introduce into our forests live specimens of an in- 

 sect which was known to feed on and destroy insects like the species found 

 depredating on our timber. 



The expenses of this trip were shared by private individuals, and tim- 

 ber companies, who are interested in checking the ravages of the insect. 



The desired insects were found in Germany in abundance, but owing to 

 the cholera epidemic, he could not get them here in time to success- 

 fully distribute them in the forests last fall. He has, however, determin- 

 ed to his satisfaction that the European species will readily feed upon the 

 destructive pine tree insects as well as upon many other species of injurous 

 forest and fruit tree insects. He is confident that if this beneficial species 

 can be introduced in sufficient numbers, and properly distributed where 

 they will do the most effectual work, they will not only aid in checking 



