16 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
a representative collection, itself an indispensable aid to the best 
economic work, but is fundamental in establishing effective methods 
of controlling many destructive insects. There is a great need of 
a more adequate development of the work along these lines if the 
entomological branch of the Museum is to discharge its full duty to 
both State and Nation. 
Office matters. The assistant entomologist has been in charge 
of the office and responsible for correspondence and other matters 
during the absence of the Entomologist. The usual routine, except 
as mentioned above, has fully occupied the time of various members 
of the staff. The conduct of the Insect Pest Survey and Information 
Service described above meant much extra work for all members of 
the staff during the busier portion of the season. 
Nursery inspection. The nursery inspection work of the State 
Department of Agriculture has resulted, as in former years, in a 
number of specimens representing various stages of insect develop- 
ment, some in very poor condition, being submitted to this office 
for identification. As such material may originate in a foreign 
country, determinations of this character are laborious and require 
for their successful prosecution a large collection and an excellent 
library of both domestic and foreign works. The correct identifica- 
tion of such material is important, since the disposal of an entire 
shipment of nursery stock must depend in considerable measure 
upon the character of the infestation. 
General. The work of the office has been materially aided, as 
in past years, by the identification of a number of species through the 
courtesy of Dr L. O. Howard, chief of the bureau of entomology, 
United States Department of Agriculture, and his associates. There 
has been, as already stated, very effective cooperation with the State 
Department of Agriculture, the New York State Food Supply 
Commission and its agents, the county farm bureaus, the State 
Experiment Station and other public welfare organizations in the 
State. A number of correspondents have donated valuable speci- 
mens and many have rendered efficient service by transmitting 
local data respecting various insects. It is a pleasure to note that 
there has been, as in the past, a most helpftl cooperation on the 
part of all interested in the work of the office. 
Respectfully submitted 
EPHRAIM PorTER FELT 
October 16, 1917 State Entomologist 
