February, ’18] COOLEY: ENTOMOLOGY SERVING THE NATION 
27 
plant and animal products and we should be willing even to lay aside 
for a time our research work and meet emergencies. Without doubt 
our directing officials will approve. A safe rule to follow is to continue 
the old work unless there is a real reason for a change. 
Law enforcement to prevent the introduction and spread of insect 
pests will probably be little affected by the movement in extension 
entomology other than the benefit that will result from a wider knowl¬ 
edge of insect pests. It should be said, however, that in view of the 
national and of the world conditions we should increase rather than 
slacken our efforts to prevent the dissemination of dangerous species. 
Growing out of the shortage of foods there has been an increasing 
tendency on the part of the public to demand a slackening in the 
inspection and quarantine regulations. International commerce has 
been revolutionized during the war and after the war is over still 
more extensive changes may follow. Just what the special needs of 
the hour will be then we cannot say now, but it is clear that the inspec¬ 
tion service will be greatly needed. 
During the period following the war, and in connection with the 
development of a national system of extension entomology now under 
way, it is probable that the teacher of entomology will find much to 
do. In the first place an increasing number of well trained men will 
be needed. From the present indications there is very little danger of 
overcrowding the profession. There is much more danger that there 
will be a serious shortage of suitably trained men during the next ten 
years. Naturally the demand will be not alone for extension entomol¬ 
ogists, but for investigators, inspectors, directors of control projects 
under special appropriations and teachers as well. From the profes¬ 
sional standpoint the outlook in entomology is very bright, and we 
should give renewed attention to the further development of means 
and methods in teaching entomology in the college and university. 
Now as never before the entomological departments of our colleges 
and universities require at the head men who will give attention to the 
broader aspects of economic entomology. The time is passing when 
the narrow specialist who overlooks the needs of his state can continue 
to give satisfaction as an administrator. We need to give full atten¬ 
tion to the development of what may be termed state systems of 
entomological service, and through the fullest joint cooperation 
between the United States Department of Agriculture and the states, 
develop a more effective nation-wide system. It is possible that a 
committee of this Association ought to work out a plan for taking 
definite steps to facilitate this. We need to submerge local interests 
and seek to promote first the general good in order that economic 
entomology may render the fullest service to the nation. 
