E 95 MONTHLY LETTER OF THE BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY 
P UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE || 
SSeS SS SS SS LSS TTS 
Number 36. ~April, 1917, 




FOREWORD! 

IN THE TRYING TIMES WHICH THE WAR HAS BROUGHT TO THE UNITED STATES, 
IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT THE SUCCESS OF ANY ORGANIZATION DEPENDS WHOLLY 
UPON THE EFFORTS OF THE INDIVIDUALS COMPOSING THE ORGANIZATION, AND THAT THE 
BRANCH OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHICH YOU REPRESENT INVOLVES TWO OF THE MOST IM- 
_ PORTANT FACTORS AFFECTING THE WELFARE OF THE COUNTRY IN GENERAL, (1) THE RE- 
LATION OF INSECT PESTS TO THE FOOD SUPPLY AND (2) THE RELATION OF NOXIOUS 
INSECTS TO THE HEALTH OF MAN AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS, 
THE SPLENDID SUCCESS WHICH HAS CHARACTERIZED THE EFFORTS AND ATTENDED 
THE WORK OF THE BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY IN THE PAST, MAY ONLY BE ECLIPSED BY RE- 
DOUBLED EFFORTS AND VIGILANCE UNDER STRESS OF THE EXTRAORDINARY CONDITIONS 
WHICH NOW CONFRONT YOU. 
FEDERAL AND STATE ENTOMOLOGISTS TO COOPERATE IN PREPARING FOR THE WAR. 
Under date of April 7, 1917, the Chief of the Bureau addressed the 
following letter to all State Entomologists: 
"It is unnecessary to call attention to the important work which the 
- entomologists of the country can do in the present crisis in the way of in- 
“CGreasing crop production by the control of injurious insects. Without doubt 
you have already given careful consideration to methods whereby information 
may be best put before the people of your State to insure widespread adoption 
be of measures for minimizing losses and insect attack. The Bureau of Entomology 
is organizing its forces to bring before the country at large, essential infor- 
mation of this character throvgh brief publications and through the activities 
of men at various field stations, While no part of the field should be neg- 
lected, it is felt that special attention should be given to insect outbreaks 
involving staple crops, and to the preservation of stored grains, forage, etc. 
Probably in some instances it will be feasible to reduce infestation or 
spread by prompt measures. For this reason the entomological service of the 
United States as a whole should be on the lookout for unusual insect condi- 
tions, and where concerted acticn is essential, such cooperation should be 
arranged at the first possible moment, 
The Bureau of Entomology wishes greatly to increase its reporting ser- 
vice on insect pests. We will have the cooperation of the crop reporters and 
farm demonstrators throughout the country and would like to have also the 
cooperation of all State and Station Entomologists. This service will be conduct- 
ed with headquarters at Washington and it is hoped that all those assisting will 
keep the central office in constant touch with the status of insect pests in 
their vicinity. With this data in hand the central office will be able to 
tabulate and map the occurrence of all injurious pests and to indicate to the 
men in the field the sections which are threatened with insect damage and the 
means for combating same. With this information it will be possible to con- 
duct a vigorous campaign against threatening pests. 
The Bureau stands ready to assist State and Station Entomologists when- 
ever it is possible to do so. 
