February, ’18] COOLEY: ENTOMOLOGY serving the nation 
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under the impulse of a national emergency, we may make, in a relatively 
short time, an amount of progress, which otherwise would require many 
years. 
What are the lessons for the economic entomologist and how may we 
best apply them in this national emergency and also in the period 
following the war? May I say that in discussing this subject at this 
time I feel a considerable sense of responsibility and some misgiving. 
I am conscious that what I shall say may contain much that is old and 
little that is new. It seems perfectly clear, however, that such a dis¬ 
cussion is desirable and can scarcely fail of being beneficial. We should 
not overlook the fact that economic entomology, although enjoying a 
rapid growth, is none the less incompletely organized, when the nation 
as a whole is considered. It is desirable that we should be willing, if 
necessary, to throw over any traditions that have served their purpose 
and in this grave hour approach new problems in the true spirit of 
science, with open-mindedness. 
In the first place let us review briefly the facts which set forth the 
scope and importance of entomological service in the national welfare. 
They fall naturally under two general heads—agricultural entomology 
and medical entomology. 
It is, of course, impossible to state with mathematical accuracy the 
amount of damage or loss to plants and animals or to plant and animal 
products through the attacks of insect pests. Without doubt the most 
comprehensive figures that have been given us are those of Mr. C. L. 
Marlatt, in his article in the Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture 
for 1904. The estimated total loss there given is $795,100,000. More 
recent figures by Professor Herrick of Cornell University in his “Insects 
of Economic Importance” place the loss in 1915 at $1,182,000,000, but 
since the value of agricultural products has increased so rapidly in 
recent years, and considering the present high prices, we are probably 
safe in placing the annual loss at the present time roughly at $1,400,000, 
000. Writers on this subject quite generally agree that the losses 
amount to at least 10 per cent of the total value of the crops. Thus 
wholly disregarding very large sums which entomologists have taught 
the farmer to save, possibly an additional 5 per cent, we are concerned, 
as a profession, with the saving of some $1,400,000,000 and at a time 
when 10 per cent of America’s agricultural products might be enough 
to turn the balance in the war. It should further be pointed out that 
the losses occasioned by insects are to be deducted from the profits, 
and not from the gross returns, for the cost of producing a damaged 
crop is practically the same as of an undamaged one, excepting for a 
small extra item for harvesting the larger returns. This 10 per cent 
stands as our challenge. The great practical question Is, can we by 
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