156 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The accommodations provided for the collection are far from adequate. 

 During the past i8 years a vast amount of material has been accumulat- 

 ing, and when properly worked up, will be found a mine of information. 

 The state collection needs more room. At present, part is in wooden 

 trays with glass tops and part in pasteboard boxes. A first class box or 

 tray should be decided on and then the whole collection overhauled,, 

 classified and rendered accessible to the public. At present the speci- 

 mens are threatened with injury on account of dampness, the result of a 

 leaky roof, or they may be destroyed by museum pests, as none of the 

 trays or boxes are as tight as they should be. The work on the biologic 

 collection should be pushed, special attention being paid to the forms of 

 economic importance. An exhibit of this character would prove a most 

 important educational factor, and would be of the greatest practical value 

 to all in the vicinity. If, in addition to this, some plan Were devised 

 whereby small biologic collections could be prepared and either tempo- 

 rarily lent to granges or other organizations interested in the advance- 

 ment of applied science or placed on exhibition at farmers' institutes, 

 fairs and other gatherings, specially if in charge of one competent to 

 explain the salient points in the life history of the various forms, a moderate 

 outlay would not only advance the agricultural interests of the state, but 

 would also bring the office into closer touch with those whom it is 

 designed to serve. 



The private collection belonging to the late incumbent is still in the 

 office and would be an invaluable addition to the state collection, con- 

 taining, as it does, many rare and unique forms. 



Division library. To- obtain the best results, it is absolutely neces- 

 sary to have a good library at hand. During his tenure of office, the 

 late Dr Lintner depended for reference very largely on his private 

 library, a collection of books and papers that has few, if any, equals, so 

 far as economic entomology is concerned. Many of the books are rare, 

 and several of the sets of serial publications are supplementary to those 

 belonging to the state. If possible, it should be bought for this 

 division. 



J. A. Lintner. In the death of Joseph Albert Lintner, Ph. D., 

 the state sustained a great loss and the science of economic entomology 

 was called on to mourn a leader. It is hoped that the grand work begun 

 by him i8 years ago will be carried on, and that the practical side of the 

 science will ever be kept in mind. 



Acknowledgments. At this time I wish to acknowledge the many 

 favors and courtesies received at the hands of Dr L. O. Howard, chief 

 of the division of entomology at Washington, and his associates. Every 



