sy) 
Mr. Webster called attention to the fact that, while Mr. Koebele failed 
to find the San Jose scale in Japan, it might still exist there, although 
well checked by its natural enemies. From examining infested Japa- 
nese nursery stock he had gained the impression that the trees had 
been infested for along time. In his opinion the strongest evidence 
was in favor of the Japanese origin of this scale. 
Mr. Johnson’s views coincided with those held by the authors of the 
paper. He felt that it was quite probable that the scale was carried to 
Japan from America. It was noteworthy that injury by the scale was 
declining in California. In Maryland also it appeared that there were 
local checks upon the increase of this species, and the case of an infested 
orchard in Dorchester County was cited, where 98 per cent of the scales 
were found to be dead. 
Mr. Howard said that California conditions as regards the San Jose 
scale have not been accurately stated. General statements have been 
made which cover the whole State, whereas, while the scale has 
undoubtedly died out in certain regions, as notably around San Jose, 
Cal., where it was originally found, he had seen orehards in southern 
California as late as May, 1898, where the scale was as abundant-and 
as destructive as he had ever seen it in Maryland. 
Mr. Marlatt stated that he also had noticed the almost complete dis- 
appearance of the San Jose scale from orchards at San Jose, Cal., where 
it had first appeared, as described by Dr. Howard, and expressed the 
belief that the time was not far distant when the San Jose scale would 
be not much more feared than other common scale pests of fruit trees. 
Mr. Webster thought it was significant that the scale was not injuri- 
ous in Japan. This would not be the case if the pest was first carried 
there from the United States. | 
Mr. Howard expressed the opinion that as yet it was too early to 
judge of the economic status of the scale in Japan. It might prove 
injurious in that country in the course of a few years. 
Mr. Osborn called attention to the necessity in the present case of 
keeping in mind the distribution of the closely allied members of the 
genus. Heinquired concerning the original home of Aspidiotus ancylus. 
Mr. Kirkland mentioned finding Pyrus americana generally infested 
with ancylus in the Lobster Lake (Me.) region, some 10 miles from set- 
tlements and where the chance of its introduction by man was improb- 
able. He also saw in the well-known resistance of the Japanese quince 
to the San Jose scale an argument in favor of the theory that the scale 
was a native of Japan. 
The following paper was then read: 
VOLUNTARY ENTOMOLOGIC SERVICE IN NEW YORK STATE. 
By E. P. FELT, Albany, N. Y. 
Though it is no new idea to have a corps of observers located here 
and there at favorable points, I have no knowledge of its being applied 
