1908.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT- -No. 73. 129 



but nature will soon supply a new group. The preservation of 

 trees already partly grown is of greater importance at the pres- 

 ent moment. Again we recommend the general destruction of 

 pupae and female moths during the egg-laying period, the thor- 

 ough treating of gypsy moth nests, on private estates and streets 

 alike, up to the probable snow line in the fall months, and the 

 cutting and burning of worthless brush along infested road- 

 sides. " Clean culture " here is as desirable at present as in 

 the orchard or garden of small fruits. With the greater skill 

 gained by the local forces as a result of their experience in 

 combating the moths, and the greater confidence in their meth- 

 ods on the part of property owners, we look forward confidently 

 to greater and better results in the entire work during the com- 

 ing year. 



REPORT OF CONSULTING ENTOMOLOGIST. 



As in previous years, the consulting entomologist, Prof. C. 

 H. Fernald, has kept closely in touch with the work of this 

 office, and his helpful advice has been freely sought. As is 

 well known, Professor Fernald has followed the developments 

 of the gypsy moth as a pest since its first discovery at Medford 

 in 1889, and is thoroughly familiar with all features of the 

 efforts made to suppress it. The superintendent considers it 

 most fortunate for the interests of the State work that he is able 

 to consult on questions of methods and policy, as well as on 

 technical outlays, an entomologist so well qualified to give ad- 

 vice by long and successful experience as well as by well-proven, 

 sound business judgment. We are particularly indebted to 

 Professor Fernald for help in selecting from his students as- 

 sistants for our summer work on parasites, and for the very 

 practical aid he is now giving us in building up a working ref- 

 erence collection. His report follows : - 



A. H. KIRKLAND, Esq., Superintendent for Suppressing the Gypsy and 



Broum-tail Moths, Boston, Mass. 



DEAR SIR : - - The spread of the gypsy moth in this country may be 

 likened to a great conflagration, which, starting from a mere spark 

 dropped accidentally and unintentionally into some inflammable sub- 

 stance, burns readily and quietly at first, but soon spreads in all direc- 

 tions where there is anything to burn, leaping from one mass of 

 inflammable matter to another, and even being wafted a considerable 



