The herald., 1893-11-19

Ihere is no diHputing the fact but that
Frof. Riley has done some most excel
lent work. He has now been employed
IN the department about 20 years. Has
had experiments conducted with many
washes to destroy noxious insects. He
mas written much on the grasshopper,
knows all about its devasting ravages,
the misery and suffering caused by the
same. Why should he not have thought
OF combating the insects with their
natural parasites? He chafes under this
oversight, and feels keenly the fact that
no credit can come to him.
Afman engaged in scientific pursuits
who will 30 forget himself as to write
anonymous letters merits the contempt
OF every intelligent citizen. Now I do
not say that either Prof. Riley or CO.
quillett are guilty. All the circum-
stances lead to the superstition that both
OF them have been mixed up in the
business. II they are innocentit is easy
for them to publish disclaimer and
deny every point where any suspicion
rests.
There is no question but that Califor-
MIA will inaugurato department to
search for parasitic insects. We want
to act in concert with your department..
we want you aid, your assistance, your
knowledge and your protection. With
these two men in the field in the de-
partment, it will be impossible, ct least
until they can show that they we're en-
tireiy innocent in every particular OF
this Los Angeles opposition.
1t Ia also incomprehensible that our
people in this age OF scientific investiga.
tion with the high standard of knowl-
edge and the laviehing OF money in fit
ting out expeditions in so many lines to
enlarge our comprehension in the mys-
teries OF creation-have not single cent
in that line of paramount Importance to
every other inquiry. The waste of en-
ergy, the devastation and discourage
ment that reaches the home OF every
producer or tiller of the soil through The
various pests-and not single thought
given to the relief that nature affords in
the great balance OF all living creatures
in Gods creation-it is incomprehensi-
Bile. AZ
Take the grasshopper, estimate the
misery and the monied value of it's dep
relations; the Goblin moth, that has
made such inroads on every apple and
pear producing region OF the country
the chinch bug, that has caused such
losses in the wheat growing regions OF
the northwest; the cotton worm of the
eouth the white scale of Southern Cal
ifornia, that would have completely
bankrupted the citrus industry had it
not been for the vedalia. Man has pro.
ceeded entirely on wrong theories. Paris
green washes and fumigation with all
the multiplicity OF patent compounds
can only be temporary. We cannot go
on forever with these unnatural meth
DDS. The state hoard of agriculture of
Massachusetts has expended within q
few years $S25,000 in trying to wipe out
the existence OF the gypsy moth. But it
is not my purpose to prolong this SUBJ
ject. What l want is to impress YOU of
its Importance, 80 that you can lend q
willing hand. The cultivators OF the soil
have the hardest struggle; they get the
least assistance. | am very truly,
-.------- H. lsraa1- Goecrns.rs :,
INDICTMENT.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 81, 1898,
Hon. J. Sterling Morton, Secretary OF Agricul-
ture:
SIR-During brief absence from the
Office in which | sought respite from
ovorwork, a communication dated An
gust >, 1898. from Mr. Elwood Cooper.
OF Santa Barbara. Cal, was cent up to
tle division, and Mr.. Howard has made
a brief reply thereto ae acting entomol.
ogist. My. Howard has correctly stated
the facts, but ia view Of the Importance
of the maker l deem it expedient to
take up the charges made by Mr.. Cooper
more specially and seriatim.
First-The printed matter enclosed in
4 ha anvQlnnQ hanHad to AZ
Coppin contained the published contro-
versy in the Pacific Rural Press of San
Francisco between myself and Mr.. Nc
Coppin which grew out of Mr.. Koebele's
fret mission, and is now some three
years and half old. 1t grew out of
certain denials of the past which this
had taken in Mr.. Koebele's
first mission, and out of question as to
whose authority he was acting under.
Ihe true and non-controvereial history
Of that first mission has been recorded
in the publications of the department
(see particularly Bulletins 15 and 2I.
Division of Entomology annual report
of the Entomologist for 1889; Insect
Life, volumes ii. and iii. passim), and the
closed on nv part with
from Mr.. Howard and Mr..
koebele in the Pacific Rural Press of
March %. 1890, from which quote the
concluding paragraphs:
Prof. Riley, in his article OF Dec. 81. ]
1883, bestowed more credit upon me
han deserve. He has my sincere
hanks and only hope that we NAV bs
sbie to gain more such points. He.
sbove ALI deserves credit in this work.
Had iJnot been for his energetic work.
Jslifornians would be in the same con,
tltion. today as they were Is months
lgo, SO far as the importance
II the Icorya enemies are con-
'erned; even If they had sent some of
heirown men over to Australia. thew
would have had most sureiy no success
n finding them. ALBERT KoEBaLE,
49, Alameda, Cal. |
We trust these statements will close
his discussion. We hardly wonder
hat, in the tangle of red tape which
ontrols such matters, there should
lave been failure to see all the kinks in
he line, and consequently some asser-
ions made which we're not true. The
act remains and will stand as history
hat to Professor Riley's insight, energy
nd skill in arranging details the ento- |
biological errand to Australia, which (
as accomplished such beneficial resulte.
las planned and carried out, and thus
lr. koebele's triumph was made possi-
le. Mr.. McCoppin's important contri-
ution to the same end 10 also gener-
lly understood and appreciated. In an
Hair so full OF honor it is unfortunate
nat there should have been discord--
Mt discOrd fhera uoa o. ona f;x,o o.,o..