1908.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT- -No. 73. 45 



The city government has ably supported the local work at all 

 times, and the co-operation of numerous property owners has 

 been most helpful. 



MANCHESTER. 

 WILLIAM YOUNG, Local Superintendent. 



The trees and orchards along the streets and on private 

 grounds, aside from woodlands, were carefully inspected and 

 cleared of both moth pests in the early part of the year, this 

 work being followed later by burlapping, to which special at- 

 tention was given during the caterpillar season. In a few 

 localities where the caterpillars were most numerous, spraying 

 operations gave most satisfactory results. Trees in the Pine 

 Street colony were also burlapped and attended 'two years ago. 

 The Town House Hill colony was thoroughly burned over with 

 the oil burner. It is most gratifying to be able to say that it 

 still remains entirely free from the gypsy moth. 



The woodland infestation in Manchester is becoming most 

 serious. An important colony borders the Beverly line, while 

 in the woodland off Summer Street there are several important 

 infestations. During the fall months much good work has been 

 done in cementing and tinning old orchard trees, and at this 

 writing all the street trees have been cleared of the moths and 

 the work of cleaning private estates is in progress. In Man- 

 chester many owners of large estates prefer to care for their 

 own property, and the assistance given the town forces in this 

 way is no small item. Although much remains to be done on 

 these estates, much of the beauty of the woodlands held by 

 wealthy summer residents is dependent upon the maintenance 

 of natural conditions of growth of trees, underbrush, vines and 

 herbage; yet these natural conditions, if maintained, will in- 

 crease greatly the cost of dealing with the gypsy moth. It is 

 impossible to clear thoroughly any woodland of the moth pest 

 until the underbrush has been cut out, the ground cleared up 

 and trees thinned, and the insects forced to the trees, there to 

 be caught under the burlap or killed by feeding upon poisoned 

 foliage. If the tangled growth of shrubs and vines and the 

 crowded trees are to be allowed to remain, thorough spraying 

 will be required nearly every year, at a large expense, merely to 

 keep the moths under control. 



