212 

 Mr. Cook then read the following paper : 

 WORK OF THE ENTOMOLOGISTS IN THE EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



By A. J. Cook. 



The Congressional act creating the experiment stations and appro- 

 priating money for their support was an extraordinary measure, and 

 should be, in its results, of exceeding importance to the agriculture of 

 the country, ^ever before in the history of the world has action been 

 taken that promised so much in the direction of the advance and quick- 

 ening of scientific research, especially research in the line of applied 

 science. Kever before was there legislation that seemed to offer so much 

 to promote the interests of our leading industrial pursuit. Indeed, the 

 chief danger and peril of this new scheme arises from the fact of its 

 extraordinary character and the large work which it contemplates. 

 Great institutions, like great reforms, develop slowly. A mushroom 

 growth of such enterprises is contrary to nature's methods, and is to be 

 feared. If we attempt to produce such a growth, caution should be our 

 watchword at every step. 



There are four special dangers I think that confront our experiment 

 stations: First, the danger of neglecting the practical in our work, or 

 of making our work so technical that it will fail to interest or benefit the 

 practical man. President Mendenhall, in his admirable address at In- 

 dianapolis last August, argued that this is a somewhat common fault 

 with scientists, and is greatly to be regretted. How much more the 

 fault, and how much more serious in its results, if we the scientists of 

 the stations err in this direction. Secondly, the people, knowing of the 

 large appropriations, will expect a great deal in the way of results, if 

 the fruits are not soon forthcoming, and quite generous, criticism will 

 likely follow. Such criticisms will do harm if they do not place the 

 whole scheme in jeopardy. Again the very fear of the above may lead 

 to hasty work — attempts at too much — so we shall be unable to do good 

 work. This will lead to more just criticism, and may endanger the law 

 and call for its repeal. The fourth danger is one common to all govern- 

 ment work — the misappropriation of funds. From the very nature of 

 the work, its magnitude and associations, this danger is not small, and 

 its magnitude should make us all exceedingly cautious. 



As entomologists of the stations we are in part responsible for the 

 reputation of this measure. Our work will tend to make the law pop- 

 ular or bring it into disrepute j as we work faithfully and wisely or as 

 we work carelessly or in directions not contem[)lated by those who 

 framed the act. As we all well know, entomology has a wide practical 

 side, and may and should give substantial aid in every station. We 

 may do much to give the experiment stations character, and make the 

 law establishing them popular. 



I believe we should consider well how we may best promote the inter- 



