1 fl 
INFORMATION AND EDITORIAL 
The last day of February, 1931, was marked by the retirement from 
active service of A. L. Colton, who for nearly seven years has been the 
editor of the Monthly Letter. 
Mr. Colton was born in central Michigan. He graduated from the 
University of Michigan, receiving from his Alma Mater the degrees of Ph. 
B., A. B., and, later, A. M. After receiving the two bachelor's de— 
grees he taught physics and chemistry for one year in St. Paul, Minn. 
He was next confidential clerk to the first chief of the U. S. Weather 
Bureau. After this experience he spent a little more than five years as 
assistant astronomer in the Lick Observatory, returning to the Univer— 
sity of Michigan for several years of additional work, after the first of 
which he received his degree of Master of Arts. In the spring of 1900 he 
was a member of a party sent by the Naval Observatory to Pinehurst, N.C., 
to observe a total eclipse of the sun. He soon after spent four years 
as instructor in physics at the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Colton re— 
turned to Washington in 1910, and was employed for nearly two years as 
statistical clerk in the Tariff Board; from this branch of the service 
he was transferred to the Department of Agriculture. He came to the Bu— 
reau of Entomology in April, 1924. 
The official statement that Mr. Colton was "retired from active 
Service" is correct only from the Government's standpoint. In spite of 
the number of calendar years that have elapsed since his birth, he is 
Still active, and in his new liberty plans to continue studies in tke 
Sciences of physics, meteorology, and astronomy. On the day of his 
retirement he was presented by his friends in the Editorial Office with 
several volumes of books of his own selection. These will form a back— 
ground for further researches which he is hoping to make. Mr. Colton 
carries with him into his new activities the high esteem and regard of 
a host of friends throughout the Department. 

INSECT PEST SURVEY 
J. A. Hyslop, in Charge 
M. T. Jones has returned from a short trip to Norfolk, Va., Lex= 
ington, Ky.. Columbus, Ohio, Morgantown, W. Va., and Blacksburg, Va., 
where he consulted with extension entomologists and others on the or— 
ganization of subject-matter work in economic entomology to be carried 
on in connection with county agents. 
C. E. Smith, of the Division of Truck-Crop Insects, visited the 
office of the Insect Pest Survey on February 16 to look up data on the 
occurrence of the spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica duodecimpunctata 
Fab., in Louisiana. 
