62 



structure, and until it is so badly damaged that it must be replaced 

 by new material. 



When we take into consideration the enormous amount of timber 

 used in railroad construction alone, and the damage to such material 

 by insects, from the time it is taken from the forest until it is replaced 

 by new material in the structure, it is iDlain that we have in this an 

 economic problem worthy of special attention. It involves not only 

 the determination of methods of prcA^enting losses to vast commercial 

 interests, but the conservation of our forest resources, and the economy 

 of iDresent and future supplies of that which is in greatest demand. 



When there was an abundant supply of timber it was possible to 

 select only the best and to discard the defective, but at present it has 

 become necessar}^, on account of the growing scarcity, to use much 

 timber that is defective. This is evident from the character of the 

 railroad ties and other construction material observed in the lumber 

 yards, and piled along the road ready for use. Therefore, the prob- 

 lem of treating defective timber to promote its durabilit}^ is becoming 

 an important one. The need of investigations to determine the true 

 character of the various kinds of defects caused by insects and their 

 relations to the entrance of wood-decaying fungi, as a preliminar}' to 

 the discover}' and adoption of practical methods of checking or pve- 

 venting premature decay, is apparent. 



In the accumulation of data relating to the kinds of insects to blame 

 for the commoner injuries, and to some important features in their 

 habits, life history, and distribution, considerable progress has been 

 made within recent j-ears. While this technical knowledge of the 

 insects, the characteristics of their habits, and the character of their 

 work is of jDrime importance in suggesting methods of preventing 

 losses, there is a feature relating to experiments with such methods 

 to determine and demonstrate their practical application, which 

 requires a considerably' greater expenditure of money and time than has 

 yet been available. Indeed, the funds available from public appro- 

 priations for original investigations of this character are not sufficient 

 to warrant the undertaking of the elaborate experiments necessar3^ 

 If, however, private individuals, or companies whose immediate inter- 

 ests are involved, would cooperate with departments of scientific 

 research in this work, as is being done in some other lines of investiga- 

 tion relating to forestry problems, it is believed that results of the 

 greatest value could be attained. 



Mr. Cockerell asked whether a moderate number of forest pests 

 might not in a Avaj^ be beneficial by killing out the old trees and leav- 

 ing room for the young ones to grow. He also mentioned the curious 

 habits of the sugar cane Xyleborus in the West Indies, Avhich, from 

 attacking dead wood, had come to attack the living sugar cane. 



