44 THE EEiPOET OF THE No. 36 



conditions may destroy a very large proportion of the hibernating females. Cold, 

 wet rains are fatal to many insects, and, on the other hand, unusually high tem- 

 peratures and low humidity have their effect, and various combinations of this 

 character exert marked changes upon insect abundance from season to season. 

 It sometimes happens that exceptionally good growing weather appears to be 

 the main reason why plants outgrow insect attack and as a consequence there is 

 very little serious injury. 



The concentration of crops following local specialization is likely to result 

 in unusual outbreaks. This is very marked in orchard regions, vineyard areas and 

 wheat growing sections, and is the main justification for modifying agricultural 

 practices by the rotation of crops, variations in the time of planting and other 

 changes. 



The United States is spending many thousand dollars annually in the support 

 of a quarantine system which logically should be extended to every port if it 

 is to accomplish its purpose namely, the exclusion of dangerously injurious insects 

 and plant diseases. Everyone acquainted with this line of work must realize 

 that occasionally some pest may escape the watchful eye of the inspector, and 

 perhaps establish itself in a limited section. Furthermore, there is always the 

 possibility that an insect, harmless in its native surroundings may develop 

 destructive habits in a new environment. 



Quarantine should logically be supplemented by provisions for the early 

 detection and elimination of restricted infestations. It may be remembered 

 that the gypsy moth maintained itself in America practically unnoticed for 

 twenty-two years, and the European corn borer for some ten years. These cases 

 and others of a like nature suggest the need of more efficient methods for the 

 early detection of unusual and potentially injurious species. There should be 

 wider appreciation of the important part played by insects, and the general 

 public should be systematically encouraged to report anything un-ulsual, because 

 this is an economical and apparently a very effective method of bringing such 

 developments to light. 



It is admittedly difficult to forecast the probable economic status of a recently 

 introduced insect and partly for this reason there has usually been an investigation 

 of the species before a comprehensive effort for extermination was begun and, as 

 a consequence, such insects as the gypsy moth, the San Jose scale and the cotton 

 boll weevil, to mention only a few, spread rapidly and golden opportunities were 

 lost, not necessarily through the fault of any individual or group of individuals 

 but because methods had not been developed and possibilities demonstrated to 

 such an extent as to make any other course practicable under the conditions then 

 obtaining. The experience of the last twenty-five years has laid an excellent 

 foundation for the adoption of a more comprehensive and effective policy which 

 might reasonably be expected to eventuate in the better handling of problems in 

 connection with recently introduced insects. The conditions are sufficiently similar 

 in these projects that it would seem advisable to create an organization specially 

 qualified by training and experience to handle such propositions, and to make 

 provision in the annual appropriations for a reasonable sum to be available in 

 the case of emergencies, which latter are never anticipated and should not be 

 compelled to await the relatively slow process of legislative investigation and ap- 

 proval. It should at least be possible to adopt at once a vigorous policy of 

 suppression and control designed to keep the pest within certain bounds until 



