The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1913-12-19
ORGANIZATION TO
STUDY INSECT PROBLEM

WASHINGTON, Dc. 15.-The en-
ormous losses due to forest insects
have led to the formation of soci-
ETY. for the advancement of forest en-
oEology in America. The members
IF this society hold that the work of
insects has not received the attention
which it deserves.
Henry S. Graves, u. S. Forester,
he newly elected president of the
JrganizatiOn, said that they were, in
general, to call attention to the part
which insects play in forest problems.
We have had" he said, widespread
and specific interests in insect pests
luch as San Jose Gale and the boil
weevil, which affect all of us as to
what we eat and what we wear.
forest insects through their destruc-
ion of timber increase the cost of
necessity which enters quite as much
nto daily life of the individual as do
the products of the field and orchard.
If the Importance of the protection
of our forest resources from insects
is generally recognized, large part
can be prevented or avoided.
Right now in the national forests
the bureau of entomology and the for
est service are cooperating to stop
insect rayages by discovering their
beginnings, and stamping them out
A few isolated trees attacked by in
sects may form the nucleus of
mountainside devastation quite as Sc
riOuS as that from a forest fire. The
opportunity for combating insects,
however, IS in one respect better
than in the case of a fire, which runs
rapidly, because it takes several
years for an insect devastation to
spread until it becomes of such pro-
portions as that which oyerspread the
yellow pine forests in the Black Hills
in 1906. Watchful care On the part
of forest officers, lumbermen and pri-
vate individuals will make it impos-
sible to teach these infestations be-
fore they get a good start. By cut
ting and burning trees, or stripping
off the bark, the insects can be killed
AS in all cases, an ounce of proven
ton is worth a pound Of cure
''Who make up the memberhip of
the organization was the next ques-
ton asked Of Mr.. Graves.
1T is open to any one interested
in the subject" Mr.. Graves replied.
1T seems to me that the relation of
forest insects to forest protection
touches almost every one OF course
we expect that new members shall
be recommended by the present mem
bership, which is made up largely of
persons who have studied the forest
problem at first hand. In order, how
ever, that the objects of the society
shall be Kept foremost, it is required
that ct least four of the seven Off
GERS must be chosen from among pro-
fessional forest entologists. 1t is ex-
pected that honorary vice-presidents
represent Federal, State and private
interests will be elected to promote
the objects Of the organization in
many localities throughout the coun-
try"
How will these objects be at
tained?"
In the first place, the objects of
the society are largely educational.
AS In all questions of large public
Importance, the main idea is to give
the public an opportunity to know
just how important they are. In the
second place, the society will form a
clearing house for information, and
its meetings will discuss the most ad-
vantageous methods of insect control.
Take, for example, the ravage of the
Gypsy moth and the brown-tail moth
in the Northeastern States. If we
can bring about general knowledge of
these insects and of the harm they
do, and are able to instill into the
mind of the individual the necessity
for and the proper methods of their
control, how much easier it will be to
combat them than when the work is
| confined only to governmental agen-
niootv