1908.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT- -Xo. 73. 11 



creases as time goes on. Furthermore, by the constant cam- 

 paign of education kept up by the central office and by the local 

 authorities in charge of the moth work, property owners are 

 becoming more and more familiar with these insect pests, and 

 are giving an amount of assistance the value of which can 

 hardly be computed. For the benefit of those who cannot find 

 time to read all the details given in this report, the following 

 summary is presented. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE REPORT. 



1. The suppression of the moths on street trees and those 

 overhanging railroads and other lines of travel has been vigor- 

 ously prosecuted. This has minimized the danger of the scat- 

 tering of the caterpillars on vehicles. 



2. In the badly infested residential sections the moths are 

 now thoroughly under control, and in them practically no dam- 

 age was done by either of the pests during the past season. 

 Scouting operations in outlying territory adjoining the known 

 infested district have resulted in the finding of numerous small 

 colonies, which are now being thoroughly treated. 



3. While there have been a few particularly annoying cases 

 of apathy or interference in the work on the part of local offi- 

 cials, there has been less than in previous years. 



4. The co-operation of local officials and citizens as a whole 

 has been hearty, although there has been an increasing tend- 

 ency to leave the clearing of private estates to the local authori- 

 ties, - - a fact which of itself is a tribute to the growing- 

 efficiency of local work. 



5. A larger number and greater variety of parasites of the 

 moths were secured during 1907 than any year heretofore, while 

 those engaged in handling these natural checks on these cater- 

 pillar pests have acquired by experience increased skill which 

 cannot result other than beneficially. 



Recommendations ' are : - 



(a) To carry on the work against the moth pests to the best 

 advantage during 1908, an appropriation of $150,000, in addi- 

 tion to that made by chapter 43-1, Acts of 1907, will be neces- 

 sary. 



(&) To meet the expenses in connection with importing para- 



