April, ’24] 
ENTOMOLOGICAL STATISTICS, DISCUSSION 
207 
Would it be presumptuous to suggest that much real progress could be 
accomplished by the careful consideration of the application of the 
Theory of Probability not only to future work along lines as herein 
discussed, but to many other entomological problems as well. 
Mr. C. L. Marlatt: The symposium which we have listened to has 
been one of much interest and profit. The different speakers in the dis¬ 
cussion of methods and their values as seemed to them pertinent have 
covered the field so well that there is little left to be said on the subject 
assigned to me. I think if we properly digest what has been said this 
morning it will be possible for any of us to choose and follow a method or 
methods which will meet our needs and if we do so we will come pretty 
near achieving as good statistical work on insect damage as is now 
possible. Any phase of the subject that I might now take up would be 
more or less in repetition of what has already been said by one or more 
of the speakers. A few general considerations may nevertheless be 
opportune. 
The discussions have ranged from the practical or more common¬ 
place field methods of estimate to strictly technical and intensive methods 
and both systems undoubtedly have their place. The very commendable 
tendency of the modern to increased technical accuracy should not, 
however, lead us to lose sight of the value of the older and simpler 
methods of estimating insect losses. I am willing to wager that an 
expert who has been working for several years on the San Jose scale or 
codling moth subjects, for example—and I say an expert as contrasted 
with someone inexperienced—can make, after a fairly thorough survey 
of the orchard concerned, a general estimate that will be about right as 
to infestation and damage and that sort of estimating undoubtedly 
will continue to be the one generally followed. 
I am inclined to believe the personal element has more to do with the 
accuracy of results than the method. If you run over in your minds the 
estimates which have been made and published in past years. I think it 
is clear that such personal element has been the dominating factor and 
this idea has been brought out by many of the speakers. 
In the matter of all such estimates as we are now considering it is well 
to remember that the world has become very doubtful of or at least has 
come to look with some question on statistics and statisticians, and we in 
the Federal Department of Agriculture do not have to go very far 
