30 



GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. 



[Jan. 



THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH. 



In 1907 the brown-tail moth was not as abundant as in 

 previous years, and we did not think it necessary to determine 

 the extent of the infestation, as the possibility of exterminating 

 this moth is very small. The infestation is more serious this 

 year, and it is important that we should know its extent. We 

 therefore employed a few men after the leaves had fallen, to 

 scout the towns on the border of the known infested district. 

 As a result of this scouting the brown-tail moth has been found 

 to extend on the northwest as far as Royalston, on the south- 

 west as far as Southbridge, and in the central part of the 

 State as far west as Ware. The infestation also extends to 

 the extreme end of Cape Cod, to the New Hampshire line and 

 to the coast, making an area in all of 5,147 square miles in- 

 fested bv the brown-tail moth. 



FUTURE WORK. 



In the year 1909 the work should be carried on along prac- 

 tically the same lines as in the past, by creosoting gypsy moth 

 egg clusters, removing brown-tail moth webs and thinning out 

 woodlands in the winter, and by spraying, burlapping and 

 tanglefooting during the caterpillar season. In a large per- 

 centage of the severely infested districts the greater part of 

 the work for the coming year will be in woodlands, where it 

 will be necessary to carry on extensive spraying operations. 

 Several large power outfits have been purchased, and it is hoped 



