+ * 
Lv | 
[ 
MONTHLY LETTER OF THE BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 
Ue S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: 
; 
, Ie ei tia anne Sees cans acy oases een ey ting Need cs saice wee ines ats Sabin One eases Canad wns mens by he asm ins Sites ims Seek weed in Sis eas sate fn we Sool soe os motes Sm eer’ gh ee ewes een mans see ees Sa ey Sa SI i is ae poe 
hk STE ag ihe ale oat le ein pee a crhas bhest— ahEES ‘ 
4 Number 20. | December, 1915. 












DEATH OF PROFESSOR FRANCIS MARION WEBSTER. 
The entomological service of the department has met with the 
most serious loss it has encountered since it reached bureau rank. 
Prof. F. M. Webster, Chief of the branch of Cereal and Forage Crop 
Insects, died in the Grant Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, Sunday morning, 
January 2nd, at 4 o'clock. He was taken suddenly ill with pneuwonia 
on thursday morning, December 30th, was removed to the hospital on 
the afternoon of that day, and rapidly sank. He had rather a heavy 
cold during the early part of the week, but on Wednesday night ai- 
tended the joint smoker of the Association of Economic Entomologists 
and the American Entomological Society, and appeared to be welt and 
in excellent spirits. Professor Webster, as you all know, was one 
of the best known and most generally respected of the older group of 
economic entomologists in this country. He had a long and very pro- 
-@Guctive career, and held a high place among those responsible for 
the present high standing of American economic entomology. During 
his thirteen years in the bureau he built up a notable organization 
and brought together a body of well trained and enthusiastic younger 
men who have been doing admirable work. While his loss will be most 
keenly felt, his plans were so well laid and the work at each of his 
field laboratories was so well organized that it can be carried on 
without interruption. The chiefs of these laboratories and working 
parties have been instructed to consult with the Chief of the Bureau 
ain all matters of policy, while routine administrative matters in 
this branch will be handled by Mr. W. R. Walton as has been the case 
during Professor Webster's absences in the field. The question of 
the future head of this branch will not be decided at present. 
THE PAN AMERICAN CONGRESS. 
The Second Pan American Scientific Congress was held in Wash- 
angton December 27, 1915, to January 8, 1916. One of its numerous 
sections was entitled "Conservation of Plant Life," and under this 
Section there was one session in which papers were presented bearing 
upon the general subject of quarantine, in which entomologists were 
interested. Mr. Mariatt, Chairman of the Federal Horticultural 
Board, and the Chief of the Bureau took part in this discussion. 
The following papers by members of the Bureau of Entomology were 
delivered: 
"The International Need of a Sound Scientific Service ‘in 
Economic Entomology in Hach of the American Republics," 
by L. QO. Howard, Chief, U. S. Bureau of Entomology. 


