38 



JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 



[Vol. 8 



It has been suggested that the strength and direction of the wind 

 influence the fluctuation of the Gulf Stream, perhaps begun by an 

 unusual strength of the southeast trade winds and their extension 

 farther north than is usually the case. Whatever the cause may be, 

 however, the fact remains that the Gulf Stream swings in and out, its 

 western edge sometimes remaining near the coast for a number of 

 years, and with this demonstrated we have a satisfactory basis for the 

 theory that southern forms may from time to time be brought to the 

 southeastern shores of Massachusetts in this current, thus accounting 

 for their occurrence there. It also offers an explanation for their con- 

 tinued presence, for the near proximity of such a large body of warm 

 water must naturally affect the chmate of that part of the state, mak- 

 ing it inhabitable for forms normally found much farther south. 



Occasionally a severe winter, particularly when the oscillation of 

 the Gulf Stream is eastward, must result in the destruction of many 

 of these transplanted forms, but with the return of the Stream to its 

 more westerly course the reestablishment of such animals and plants 

 as may be caught in this current and can survive the journey is likely 

 to occur. 



The practical application of these facts to agriculture comes in their 

 bearing on the possibility of raising southern crops in the territory 

 affected. With a summer thus lengthened, and warmer than in most 

 of the state, the possibility of making use of these conditions to ad- 

 vantage presents itself, limited only by the nature of the soil and fac- 

 tors which aside from seasonal features require consideration. 



A little work along this line has already been begun in an experi- 

 mental way, and it has been found that sweet potatoes and peanuts 

 can be raised on Cape Cod under the usual conditions there. Cotton 

 might possibly be grown also, if the proper soil conditions could be 

 found, but this has not been tried. The greatest value thus far re- 

 sulting from the facts just presented is the realization that crops can 

 be planted late, to supply the markets after the main season is over, 

 without danger of their loss by early frost, and this is now being taken 

 advantage of. 



The conditions in Massachusetts have been dwelt upon at some 

 length, because of familiarity with them; that life zones play a part, 

 to some extent at least, in many other states is certain. The possibility 

 of taking advantage of them is something which deserves considera- 

 tion, and even if no direct economic result is obtained, a knowledge of 

 the distribution of insects in the zones will be a great and useful addi- 

 tion to entomology as a whole. 



Another present need of economic entomologists is a better knowl- 

 edge of foreign insects. Modern transportation facilities have ren- 



