L28 (iVPSV AND BK( >\\. \-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



ijiiently made by the loading entomologists of the country, and 

 the enthusiasm with which the expert entomologists called to 

 Massachusetts for consultation the past summer commented on 

 i IK- improved condition of the infested district, as compared 

 with that prevailing at the time of previous visits was as grati- 

 fying as it was, for the moment, unexpected. The superintend- 

 ent feels that it is but a fair and entirely conservative statement 

 to say that notable progress has been made all along the line in 

 bringing the moths under control, and that the results to date 

 have amply justified the expenditures thus far made. 



FUTURE A 



The plans for 1908 should include in each city and town the 

 continued control of the moths in the sections already cleared. 

 This can be done very largely by the winter cleaning, summer 

 burlapping and spraying where necessary. The importance of 

 keeping the street trees free from the caterpillars is apparent 

 to all engaged in the work. Much more spraying should be 

 done in the badly infested sections, particularly in woodlands. 

 There is no cheaper or more effective way of treating these in- 

 festations than by liberal spraying operations, and the purchase 

 and use of power-spraying outfits, as far as funds permit, will 

 be insisted upon. In the selection of these outfits it should be 

 home in mind that low-cost rigs are often in the end the most 

 expensive; and while, as pointed out elsewhere, the manufac- 

 ture of heavy outfits suitable for our work has not yet passed 

 the experimental stage, there are now available several types of 

 substantially built machines, which, while commanding a rela- 

 tively large price, will doubtless in the long run prove the most 

 -atisfactory. 



The burning over of the woodland colonies with a light tire. 

 where thinning operations have been done, is again recom- 

 mended 'luring the month of May, after the eggs from broken 

 or -.-uttered nesfs and on the ground have hatched. Kxfensive 

 burning operations in a large area of the Lynn and Saugns 

 wo.,ds in midsummer, when nearly all the insects were in the 

 pupal condition, gave good results in 1007, and is worthy of 

 further testing where renditions warrant. The injury to seed- 



i-' trees caused l.y these ojMTations is much to be regretted, 



