The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-04-19

MaSSdCnuSeJJS VINO VIII examine anu
report on the situation in this state
before further negotiations if any win
be necessary. The Superintendent Of
the Massachusetts Commission, Mr.. A.
H. Kirkland, has recently written to
the Commissioner of Horticulture in
California, Hon. Ellwood Cooper, that
he would be very glad to see any Of
the California experts next summer. 1t
may appear that Massachusetts,
though so remiss in introducing para
sites, is now doing all that can be well
done in the matter. The danger has
aroused other states and nothing but
the highest standard of efficiency in
Massachusetts can be acceptable to
taxpayers at large, or atone if possible
for loss time.
2. Whatever may have been written
or said to the contrary, beyond ques-
ton the credit belongs to California
men, not alone for taking the initia-
tive in introducing beneficial insects on
a large SCALE and forcing the move
bringing the important science Of para
sitologia to its highest development
and most extended practical applica-
ton OF this 1 brought home ample
documentary proof, and the living wit
nesses to confirm it are numerous.
There is today, also, abundant proof
to support a courageous and intelligent
application of the worlds present
sects.
3. In no part of the world has
more accomplished, enthusiastic and
intelligent class of practical specialists
in the collecting, breeding, study and
distribution of beneficial insects been
developed, than during the past twenty
or thirty years in California, where all
insect pests are now practically with
in the means of control.
The entire appropriations asked for
in California this year for its Horti-
cultural Commission. and for beneficial
insect purposes, including funds toward
a proposed new fre-proof insectary at
San Francisco, appear to be only 1872,
OOO as against 1925, 900. on account Of
the moth scourge, asked for of the
Massachusetts Legislature, in addition
to tens of thousands of dollars to come
from individual municipalities; and
California is nineteen times as large in
area as Massachusetts! No wonder
that there is establishment on the Pa
cifc Slope at the Bay State!
4. The literature upon this subject
published in California mad Hawaii is
the most valuable and most volumi-
nous. The long familiarity of the Pa
cifc coast experts with parasites and
predaceous insects, and the everyday
practice and precautions observed there
DIS to secondary and tertiary para
sites, (meaning hyper-parasites)
bear a suggestive contrast to the ire
pidadon expressed by some New Eng
land tyros That master of the science,
Alexander Craw, in his Hawaiian re-
port of 1905 confidently affirms: There
ligent introduction of such insects that
prey upon injurious species, for their
stomachs will no more digest vegeta-
BILE matter than that of a lions or
tigers will" And he adds: THE way
of fighting our insect enemies is not
any longer an experimental one, but
has saved millions of dollars of prop
erty, besides retaining the value Of
adjoining property already improved
or unimproved."
8. A mere entomologist, whatever
mis- rank as d classifier or museum coll
lector. or whatever his official position,
is to be relegated to the background
for effecting relief by beneficial insects,
when his academic attachments are
contrasted with those Of experienced
psychologists. 1t is to the careless
ness of a reputed "entomologist," Prof.
Leopold Trouvelot, that Massachusetts
, can charge its present gypsy moth
scourge.
G. The Territory of Hawaii, and the
, nav dilou oA6bA l'lluLtlo @AH9otltA tlblli
, representing the great sugar interests
p OF those islands did not look to Wash
{ isgton or to Massachusetts for help,
e when in recent years they were forced
TO fight insect pests, but to California
and they secured one Of that states
! greatest experts, Alexander Craw, al
% double his former salary, rather than
+ lose his invaluable services, and they
D.. also acquired from california one of
- the worlds greatest searohers for para
p sites, Albert Koebole, who Is also me
worlds pioneer worker IN introducing
- beneficial insects 90 check the spread
- of Objectionable plants wherein mar
p yeIous results arc already attained
p Western Australia also Ignored
p Washington and Massachusetts, not.
p wlthslandmg their large expenditures