48 THE KEPOKT OF THE No. 36 



bounds of entomology. Gratifying progress has been made in demonstrating 

 methods of controlling: the Kocky Mountain spotted fever tick,, a carrier of deadly 

 human infection. 



The mere fact that a proposition is a large one does not make it impossible 

 or impracticable in these days of excellent organization and unsurpassed publicity. 

 Both are exceedingly important in the development of any large undertaking, 

 be it scientific or commercial. There is no reason why advantages demonstrated 

 in other branches of human activity, may not be appropriated for the better con- 

 trol of insect pests, and it is gratifying to know that there is a distinct trend 

 along these lines. 



Within a year an attempt to exterminate the cotton boll weevil has been pro- 

 posed in all seriousness, and while the undertaking is a gigantic one and involves 

 an organization extending over a group of large states with provision for financing 

 one of the most important crops of the country, arid a profound change in the 

 agriculture of the infested section for at least one season, present day develop- 

 ments prohibit our classing this as impossible though the entire proposition should 

 be studied most carefully from all angles before any attempt is made to put the 

 plan into execution. 



The repressive work in connection with the gypsy moth in New England is 

 the outcome of sound policy. It has been admirably administered for a series 

 of years. This destructive pest has been well controlled and in certain large 

 areas exterminated under conditions as adverse as any obtaining in the earlier 

 days when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts entered the lists alone against 

 this insect. The failure to obtain appropriations proportionate to the increased 

 costs of the last few years and the recent discovery of the insect in several areas 

 remote from the main infested section will shortly compel a decision in regard 

 to this pest, and incidentally the verdict is bound to affect our attitude toward 

 similar problems. It is only necessary to turn to the recorded discussion of the 

 1919 session of the American Association of Economic Entomologists to find a 

 confident statement to the effect that this insect even now could be exterminated 

 from America if sufficient funds were available. This utterance is the matured 

 conviction of a man qualified byyears of practical experience to express an opinion 

 regarding this insect. 



The agricultural interests of this country are confronted by grave problems 

 along many lines and they rightly look to the entomologists for the solution of 

 those relating to insects. Among the most urgent are those in connection with 

 the exclusion and control of introduced or recently established insect pests. 

 Quarantines must 'be effective or we may expect in the near future a series of 

 introductions which will be followed by extensive depredations, and control of 

 the latter must 'be prompt and effective if golden opportunities are seized. The 

 only practical solution is to recognize the seriousness of the situation and so far 

 as possible adopt adequate measures. There is no peculiar merit in large scale 

 operations unless they are absolutely justified by conditions and in some cases 

 in the past it would seem as though the work had not been planned and executed 

 on a sufficiently extended scale to warrant a reasonable hope of success. Such 

 projects are not only possible but entirely feasible if a careful, though tentative, 

 plan is presented and the preparation for the execution of the undertaking be 

 advanced by means of a well directed educational campaign ._ This latter is 

 necessary in any large project, otherwise it is impossible to secure the essential 



