I'.'l (iVPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



comprehensive and fairly accurate knowledge of the position. I may 

 mention that I was not an entire stranger to the gypsy moth problem. 

 In 1891 I had direct connection with the extermination work carried 

 on under Mr. E. H. Forbush; from 1892 to 1895, as assistant to Prof. 

 C. H. Fernald at Amherst, I was kept in touch with the operations 

 conducted in that period ; and though since 1895 resident in South 

 Africa, the problem of the pest lias continued to interest me. The 

 control of injurious insects by introduced natural enemies is also a 

 subject which has long interested me, and one to which I have given 

 much time and thought. South Africa, like California, suffered se- 

 verely by the cottony cushion scale (Icenja purchasi), and found relief 

 with the introduction of the Australian ladybird (Novius card-limits}. 

 ^Iy office is now concerned with the introduction of parasites for the 

 red scale and codling moth, brought to notice by Mr. George Compere; 

 and a fesv year> a;_;o I obtained for California Srittdlixtti <-i/nnea f the 

 now famous parasite of the black scale. 



In my opinion, the project of securing the establishment in Massa- 

 chusetts of the leading oversea insect natural enemies of the gypsy and 

 brown-tail moths is unreservedly commendable from the standpoint of 

 public economy; and I think that in the public interest the work now 

 undertaken should be kept up c<>ntinnonsl;i under the ablest supervision 

 procurable, and with unstinted funds, until the object appears to have 

 been attained, or until it is established beyond any doubt that there are 

 insurmountable difliculties to success. I do not think hope of getting 

 efficient enemies should be abandoned even should a decade of contin- 

 uous endeavor yield little positive result. But if the present standard 

 of work is faithfully maintained, I shall be surprised if gratifying 

 success is not attained well within that time, and I deem the chance 

 of failing to secure good results ultimately commensurate with the 

 expenditure only a remote possibility. So confidently do I look for- 

 ward to efficient parasites being finally established successfully, that I 

 KL.ird the parasite phase of the work of your office more important 

 than any other feature, however necessary measures undertaken are to 

 the preservation from almost certain destruction of almost hmumerabh 

 valuable tree.-. To my mind, the introduction of natural enemies o: 1 

 the pe-ls is a work of priceless and permanent value, and no lack o 

 funds should at any time be allowed to interfere with its prosecutio 

 to a finish. 



It seems to me ijiiile reasonable to expect that by the successful esta' 

 lishmeiit of natural enemies both the gypsy and brown-tail moths w 

 before many years lie brought to a decree of subjection similar to tl 

 which exists in the over-sea countries of similar climate where ll 

 are indigenous. They may both continue to be reckoned as ''pest' 

 and in abnormal years may brim.; about serious defoliation of favol 

 food plants, unless what are termed "artificial" measures are practtf 

 a-ah;.-t them. It is quite probable that at the best they will give ' 

 trouble than the tussock moths, tent caterpillars and canker worms ;->t 



