THE INFESTED REGION. 39 



Saugus. 



In years past a number of rnoth colonies have been found 

 in the villages of Saugus and along the roads. These were 

 worked and closely watched for two or three years. A later 

 discovery of the woodland colonies made it necessary to devote 

 to the woodland much of the time formerly given to the vil- 

 lages. Notwithstanding the 'best use that could be made of 

 that part of the appropriation which could be apportioned to 

 Saugus, the woodland colonies have been extending until 

 1897, when the exigencies of the work necessitated the mass- 

 ing of about one hundred men in Saugus for several months. 

 Nearlv all of the infested woods were cleared of underbrush 



V 



and the dead trees cut out. In some of the worst colonies 

 the live trees were thinned out ; in others, the owners cut 

 the wood and the ground wag j- aen cleared and burned over. 



^2 



Most of the colonies were thoroughly burlapped. This bur- 

 lapping was followed up during the summer, with the result 

 that the moths are now nearly exterminated from several of 

 these colonies, and the improvement in the condition of 

 nearly all of them is remarkable. For example, in the five 

 worst colonies 437,150 egg-clusters laid in 1896 and only 

 40,457 egg-clusters laid in 1897 were taken. There is a 

 portion of the Saugus woodland which has not been inspected 

 for years. This should be inspected during the winter of 

 1897-98, and any colonies found should be cleared up and 

 thoroughly worked. Another year of such work as has been 

 done in Saugus in 1897 should bring all the large colonies 

 which have been worked this year very near to extermination. 



Somerville. 



The good condition of Somerville, as reported last year, 

 has been maintained and somewhat improved so far as the 

 known colonies are concerned. There are a few localities in 

 which the moth still hangs on. Only 1,047 caterpillars were 

 taken in the city in the summer of 1897. On account of the 

 proximity of Medford, Somerville must be carefully watched 

 and inspected to prevent reiufestation. 



