20 



tious manner, and their close attention to duty, carrying on their 

 "n: vi st illations despite many obstacles and frequently undergoing 

 privation and hardship in order to secure valuable information, 

 is to be most highly commended. 



Mr. Harry Gustine served as stenographer and office clerk 

 from January 1 to 31, and Mr. J. W. Taylor from May 15 to 

 June 17. Following the resignation of Mr. Taylor, the Executive 

 Committee of the Commission elected Miss L. E. Renneker to 

 succeed him. Miss Renneker has given close attention to her 

 work as stenographer, clerk and accountant, and for her accu- 

 racy, interest, and for the immense amount of work done, Miss 

 Renneker is due the thanks of the Commission. Her familiarity 

 with- the office work has made possible much field work and in- 

 vestigation by the Entomologist himself which, owing to the 

 amount of correspondence and routine office work, would have 

 been impossible with a less competent clerk in this position. 



As Mr. E. S. Hardy tendered his resignation in January, 

 1906, on account of business interests demanding his attention, 

 the Executive Committee elected Mr. E. C. Cotton, of Columbus, 

 Ohio, to succeed him as Assistant Entomologist. Mr. Cotton en- 

 tered upon his duties February 2, 1906. 



During 1905 the employment of local inspectors was not 

 found necessary. 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. 



Reference has been made in the foregoing to the direct finan- 

 cial benefit which will accrue to the cotton-growers in the weevil- 

 infested sections if the cultural remedy for the boll weevil is 

 generally adopted. The Commission, by continuing its work 

 along the lines already laid down, can unquestionably bring about 

 the adoption of the cultural methods, and this of itself will repay, 

 in mcrexsed cotton production in the boll weevil sections, many 

 times the amount which the Commission will find necessary to 

 expend in this work. 



Tli.- advent of the boll weevil makes the production of crops 

 other than cotton of much more importance, relatively, than in 

 the past. Then- is no crop produced which is not subject to more 

 or less da.na-e by insect pests, this damage varying from 5 to 50 



