REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST IQI7 13 
cereal and forage crops and truck and garden crops. The importance 
of this work may be gauged somewhat by an estimate made in 1913 
which placed the approximate loss caused by insects in this State 
to all farm crops at $20,000,000. 
The organization outlined above had one or more active agents 
in practically every county of the State and has made feasible a 
closer watch upon insect developments than has heretofore been 
possible. The experience of the past season repeatedly showed that 
insect outbreaks in the southern part of the State, especially the 
lower Hudson valley and Long Island, were likely to develop later 
in the more northern sections and that hence the conditions in one 
region could be used to indicate probabilities in others. The fifteen 
weekly digests not only recorded conditions in various sections of the 
State and outlined preventive or remedial measures but also estimated 
the possibility of subsequent damage by various insects. 
Particular attention was paid to the possibilities of preventive 
or early remedial work. In carrying this out several circulars were 
issued, especially one on fruit insects and crop pests, mailed May 
30th, another discussing the destructive red bug and pear psylla 
was issued June 2d, a third on spraying fruit trees with special 
reference to the control of the codling moth was mailed June 7th. 
A circular calling attention to the work of the extraordinarily 
abundant May or June beetles was issued June 11th. One discussing 
the seed corn maggot so destructive in the bean-growing regions 
was prepared June 18th and the day outbreaks of the army worm 
on Long Island were reported was marked by the preparation of a 
circular calling attention to early indications of attack by this 
greatly feared pest and giving in summarized form the more approved 
control and remedial measures. The wheat midge injuring rye and 
wheat, the midsummer leaf feeders of the apple orchard, the insect 
pests of domestic animals and the Hessian fly were likewise discussed 
in timely circulars. 
The correspondence reported above has been largely with county 
representatives of the New York State Food Supply Commission. 
Special effort was made to keep these persons thoroughly posted as 
to the latest developments and the best methods of dealing with 
various perplexing insect problems. These in turn have passed 
the information along to their numerous correspondents and the 
effort can not fail to have greatly increased interest in the problem 
of insect control as well as promote greater efficiency along these 
lines. 
Gall insects. The preparation of an illustrated Key to American 
