JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 



OFFICIAL ORGAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS 



DECEMBER, 1915 



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The convincing or popular value of figures is well brought out in 

 the article on estimating the number of grasshoppers. The man on 

 the street has a liking for definite figures and the man on the farm 

 is very like him in this respect. The successful entomologist 

 must be enough of a psj^chologist to correctly estimate the value of 

 various methods of presentation and it would seem that in some cases, 

 at least, figures might be used a little more freety with great advantage. 

 We do not mean by this, the more general employment of tables for 

 the presentation of scientific data, useful though they may be, but 

 the translation of familiar and vaguely appreciated infestations, for 

 example, into definite, easily grasped mathematical equivalents. It 

 would be even better, as suggested by this writer, if the hordes of 

 insects could be valued in terms of produce necessary to their develop- 

 ment. 



It will be noted elsewhere in this issue that an entomologist holding 

 an important position and apparently giving excellent satisfaction, 

 has not been reappointed by a state executive. Knowing nothing 

 of the details of the situation, we can only call attention to the well- 

 known fact that uncertainty of tenure of office means a lowered effi- 

 ciency in scientific work and especially is that true of a science dealing 

 with such immense numbers of forms as are found among insects and 

 which respond in so diverse ways to climatic and other influences. It 

 should require little argument to demonstrate that a man with six 

 years' experience in such a responsible position and meeting success- 

 fully its many and varied requirements would of necessity, in addition 

 to prerequisite knowledge, possess, a vast fund of practical experience 

 of immeasurable value to the state which has profited by his services. 

 If this is a removal on political grounds, then, we believe, the state 

 has been unfortunate in the selection of its chief executive, and the 

 continuance of such a policy means irreparable loss to the material 

 interests of its citizens. 



