REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1 899 



551 



scientist and the public, but to the observer. Though the appointments 

 were unfortunately delayed longer than was desired, it is a decided 

 advantage to begin such work when there is plenty to see. 



In work of this nature it is difficult to make definite statements 

 regarding the value of the service. There are now 43 observers on the 

 list, representing 39 counties. If we summarize the work to Saturday, 

 August 12, since which date there has been relatively little to report on 

 account of the dry weather and the natural partial cessation of insect 

 activities, a total of 200 reports have been received, a little over 15 for 

 each of the 13 weeks, or an average for each observer, if we deduct the 

 names of those who for some cause have failed to send in one report, of 

 five each. On looking over the record it will be found that three observers 

 have submitted but one report during the season ; four, two reports ; four, 

 three reports ; and six, four reports. Though these numbers are low for 

 a period of 13 weeks, it must be remembered that this is a voluntary 

 service on the part of the individual and in some instances was under- 

 taken simply to help on what was regarded as a good work. During 

 this period some have been ill, others have changed their plans and have 

 found themselves away from home much more than was expected in the 

 early spring. A few have sent in reports only when they saw something, 

 and 1 have been assured from certain localities that no injurious insects 

 had proved troublesome. While an entomologist, who had the training 

 and the leisure to look for insects, would find much of interest, the case is 

 by no means the same when a busy man undertakes the task with little 

 or no previous training. Though a number have sent in relativ«ly few 

 reports, others have been most faithful and have proved themselves 

 valuable agents. During this period, two observers sent in n reports; 

 two, 10; and three, nine. As is well known to naturalists, the value of 

 the report lies in its contents and not in its length. In this respect, most of 

 the reports have averaged very well, while those of a few observers could 

 hardly be improved. Abridged summaries of the reports received from 

 the voluntary observers have been printed weekly in the Country gentle- 

 7iian, published at Albany, and almost weekly in the New York farmer, 

 published at Port Jervis. Copies of the earlier summaries were sent to 

 several other agricultural papers having a circulation in New York state, 

 but, as they did not care to use the matter, no more were sent to them. 



In summarizing, it will be interesting to see how the establishment of 

 the organization has accomplished the desired ends. The correspondence 

 of the office has been very much larger the present season than in any 

 since my connection with it. Some of the increase was undoubtedly due 



