130 GYPSY AM) BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



distance liy the wind over streams of water or other obstacles, destroying 

 every combustible object in its way. The further it goes, the wider the 

 area of de>t ruction becomes, and, as a result, the more rapidly it 

 spreads. 



Kvery one knows the danger of allowing a fire to get even the slight- 

 esl headway, and so every precaution is taken to stamp it out at the 

 Mart : but if it uHs well under way no one attempts to belittle the dan- 

 ger, but every one aids and encourages the work of putting out the 

 . i.-ardless of whether it is accidental or of incendiary origin. No 

 one stops to count the cost, but all realixe that the conflagration must 

 be stamped out, regardless of labor and expense. The authorities tele- 

 graph in all directions for assistance, and the fire departments of other 

 cities, without the slightest hesitation, are rushed to the scene of con- 

 llagration. every available means being used to transport them to their 

 destination. Many private citi/.ens having means contribute freely to 

 relieve the sufferers who have lost by the fire. Towns and cities pour 

 out their money freely; State Legislatures take an active interest; and 

 even the general government at Washington has made large and much- 

 needed appropriations for the relief of sufferers from fires and other 

 disasters. Such acts of kindness and generosity always appeal to the 

 human heart, and give us a deeper appreciation of the instincts' of 

 humanity. 



About forty years ago the gypsy moth was accidentally allowed to 

 escape from confinement in Medford, where it fed readily but quietly 

 on the foliage of trees near at hand. Soon, however, it began to spread 

 in all directions where there was suitable food, making its way from 

 one section to another, and even being carried a considerable distance 

 by the wind and other means over streams of water or other obstacles, 

 to I'all upon and destroy any vegetation in its way. The farther it 

 wen!, the wider was its area of destruction and the greater the rapidity 

 of its spread. 



Here the parallel ceases. No one at first knew or realized the danger 

 t'n in allowing this insect to make even the slightest headway, and hence 

 no precautions were taken to stamp it out at the start. Even after the 

 caterpillar plague was well under way. there were many who publicly 

 belittled the danger both in public print and before the Legislature; 

 and many also atdmpted to discredit the work because it was thought 

 that some unprincipled employees were intentionally spreading the in- 

 sect, yet no attempt was made to prove the statement and bring the 

 guilty parties to punishment. It is human nature to stop to count the 

 . and too few reali/e that it is quite as important to stamp out 

 this insect and put an end to the destruction of property caused by it 

 ''- it is to stamp out lire.- and for precisely (he same reasons. If a 

 new colony ,,)' gypsy moths should be discovered, which threatened the 

 destruction of valuable forests as well as the vegetation on numerous 

 pri\ate -rounds, and the authorities should call for help from other 



