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finest timber and that they are capable of causing greater losses in the 

 future. Nothing whatever seems to have been published regarding, 

 the habits of any of them, and little or nothing was known of their 

 economic importance previous to the investigation here reported. 



The interrelation of forest fires, insect enemies, diseases of trees, and 

 human agencies in the destruction of forests, is a problem of especial 

 importance, the investigation of which will, no doubt, yield most valu- 

 able results. 



I would also suggest the importance of conducting experiments with 

 girdled and felled trap trees in some of the forest reserves threatened 

 by bark beetles, to determine their value in preventing and controlling 

 the ravages of destructive bark-infesting insects. Experiments in 

 partially burning dead timber and the debris left by timber cutters, at 

 a time of year when the conditions are least favorable for its spread, is 

 also a line of work which seems to be promising in results. 



A study of certain prevailing physical conditions in the Northwest 

 and their relation to distribution, common or rare occurrences, and 

 destructive habits of the principal insect enemies of the forest, will 

 also surely lead to results of special interest and value. 



In addition to results of economic importance, the investigation of 

 the subjects mentioned, involving as they do technical studies of the 

 insects and of broad problems relating to their life, should lead to 

 valuable contributions to science. 



In conclusion, may I suggest that the increasing public interest in 

 forest protection, the vast forested domain included in reserves and 

 national parks, the aggregate public and private wealth in undeveloped 

 forest resources, and the extensive destruction of the best timber each 

 year by insects and related evils seem to warrant giving this heretofore 

 neglected feature of the forest problems of this country especial at- 

 tention. It is a line of scientific research which, in consideration of 

 its relation to their work and interests can- not fail to receive the 

 hearty support and cooperation of other divisions of the public serv- 

 ice — such as the Division of Forestry, the General Land Office, the 

 State experiment stations and forestry schools. 



