FOREWORD xxxi 
Those who make a study of such matters and are wise in the 
ways of insects, state with conviction that insects are the greatest 
enemy that man has to fear. They claim that if all checks were 
removed from insect life all living things on the face of the earth 
must perish within three years. First, all vegetation would be de- 
youred and then all animal life, including mankind, would suc- 
cumb to famine. That this could be true we may. well believe 
when we consider how helpless man is against the countless 
hordes of insects, with their prodigious power of multiplying 
themselves. — 
With poison sprays and sticky paper we may. ‘account for a 
few bugs and flies; but we would soon be overcome without the 
aid of our many vigilant | little allies—the insect hunting birds 
and many of the smaller animals and reptiles. So we may well 
give every protection and support to these busy little helpers 
that render such great assistance in keeping this insect peril in 
check, if we would further our own interests in saving not only our 
forests, but also. our. farm crops, from substantial injury. 
