15 



ment In her efforts to exterminate this insect. \ am offerinf,^ no opinion 

 as to the possibility of extermination — I liave expressed myself botli 

 ways and can not find another — but is this not really a matter of 

 national importance, and should not the National (Jovernment have 

 certain duties or powers in cases of this kind ? Our opinions are almost 

 certain to be tinged by our political preferences; and in my belief that 

 we have a class of subjects in the gypsy moth and ])ear midge emi- 

 nently suitable for national control and action I may be i)rejudiced by 

 the traditions and principles of the party to which, in national matters, 

 I adhere. 



Perhaps I have spoken enough of problems and of ditticulties, and 

 should mention some of the accomplishments, some i^roblems solved. 

 Unfortunately there are none. Progress there has been in many direc- 

 tions and of the most encouraging kind, but no striking successes, no 

 epoch making discoveries. We have not yet succeeded, for instance, 

 in dealing more satisfactorily with grasshoppers; but it is decided 

 progress to learn that in a single State several hundred '-hopper-dozers" 

 are in use under the direction of the entomologist and that the State 

 has realized the importance and necessity of this kind of work. Our 

 good friend and fellow-member. Dr. Otto Lugger, has certainly succeeded 

 in securing respect for his profession and a reduction of his preachings 

 to practice. 



Chinch-bug work continues in a number of States; but we are not 

 much nearer a linal decision concerning the actual value of the Sporo- 

 trichum as a destructive agent. The chief objection to it seems to be 

 that it requires the intelligent cooperation of the weather to secure the 

 best results, and the weather is notoriously unreliable except in so far 

 that you may count with reasonable certainty that it will not be as you 

 want it. 



It is said that nothing is wholly bad. and so I lind it possible to 

 see a good feature even in the continued spread and increased injury 

 caused by such imported ])ests as the elm leaf-beetle. I believe that 

 this creature has done more to arouse public interest in economic ento- 

 mology than any other single factor for many years past. Our cities 

 are the centers of public interest nowadays and our metropolitan press 

 voices its expression. Insect injury to agricultural products rarely 

 excites more than a passing curiosity, but the depredations of shade-tree 

 insects in streets, parks, on near-by country roads, and on the grounds 

 surrounding country houses attract attention immediately and produce 

 loud and continuous complaints. The press is interested, and through 

 it the public, while those most vitally affected, the owners of tine shade 

 trees, are induced to examine into a (piestion which they would other- 

 wise have considered as of not the least practical interest. It is from 

 this point of view that I welcome the recent great spread and increased 

 injury from this elm leaf-beetle. City and town authorities and village 

 improvement societies have taken up the matter, have iuixuired into it, 



