10 
can be a toiler in any special line for a year without encountering 
experiences that might be related to a fellow-laborer to his profit. 
We are scattered over a large territory, having widely varying condi- 
tions of climate, altitude, and plant and insect life. Each can bring 
from his particular field some points of peculiar interest to all the 
others. While we may read one another’s publications and perhaps 
exchange frequent letters until we almost feel acquainted, it is only 
occasionally that we can enjoy these meetings together, and it is a 
great inspiration to talk freely over one’s experiences and plans of 
work face to face with those who are interested with him in similar 
lines of labor. 
The student of applied entomology is supposed to have a good gen- 
eral knowledge of agricultural affairs, particularly in regard to plant 
growth. He must be informed upon all the insecticide materials and 
be able to tell what insects they are suited to kill, in what strength 
they may be applied to different plants, what their physiological effects 
will be on both plant and insect life, and when they can best be applied. 
He is supposed to be able to tell at a glance what any insect is that 
may be handed him, and whether or not it is injurious or beneficial. 
He is expected to be able to recommend the cheapest and best pumps 
or other machinery for the application of insecticides. Is it any won- 
der that we need to get together and exchange experiences and discuss 
methods of work, particularly when we remember that different results 
are obtained in different localities? Lime, salt, and sulphur, so valua- 
ble for the destruction of San Jose scale on the Pacific coast, was 
found to be of very little value in the moist atmosphere of the eastern 
portion of the country; the codling moth, said to have one brood in 
Maine, is reported to have two in Colorado, and three or four in other 
places; insects fairly common but never seriously abundant in one 
portion of the country are often found to be great pests in others. 
~ In view of these conditions it is important that we obtain all the ideas 
possible from fellow-laborers in different localities, that we may make 
as few mistakes as possible, and that we may not bring down upon 
ourselves the distrust of those whom we labor-to benefit. 
We are also ‘‘to consider best methods of work.” Method is 
always important, and particularly is it to be sought for in a young 
science or industry where long experience has not yet determined the 
best plans of procedure. It was well at first that a large amount of 
individuality should enter into the work and a variety of methods be 
employed. Then, by a process of natural selection, the poorer 
methods would gradually drop out and the better ones be retained. It 
is time for this Association to lay aside its swaddling clothes and assume 
the garb of maturer years. It should be one of its objects to deter- 
mine upon best methods as soon as expedient to do so. One recom- 
mends Paris green or London purple in the proportion of 1 pound to 200 
