18 GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



On May 16 the office of the Superintendent for Suppress- 

 ing the Gypsy and Brown-tail Moths was established in its 

 present location. As rapidly as possible, a nucleus of a 

 force of agents and inspectors was obtained, and frequent 

 conferences were held with the Attorney-General for infor- 

 mation and rulings concerning the law under which the 

 superintendent was to act. During the remainder of the 

 month the work of organizing the office and field force was 

 pushed as rapidly as possible, a system of bookkeeping 

 developed and necessary details attended to. 



ORGANIZATION OF THE OFFICE. 



The matter of developing a proper system of accounting 

 received early attention. It was apparent at a glance that, 

 under the somewhat complicated provisions of the law, 

 accounts would necessarily be opened with all the cities and 

 towns of the district, while other arrangements must be made 

 for the accurate recording of the various classes of expendi- 

 tures so that their totals might be determined at any time 

 without delay. A modification of a system of bookkeeping 

 which has been successfully employed by one of our largest 

 corporations was adopted, arrangements made for the nec- 

 essary books, vouchers and records, and letters sent to the 

 known infested cities and towns requesting the name of the 

 person or board who would have charge of executing the pro- 

 visions of the law. 



The superintendent, being unable to attend unaided to the 

 organizing of the work, as well as to answering the numer- 

 ous inquiries for information and assistance which were 

 continually pouring in, was assisted in the office by the field 

 agent first appointed, Mr. J. A. Farley, late of the United 

 States Biological Survey. Mr. Farley brings to the present 

 work technical knowledge of great value, while his long 

 experience in the former State work against the moths has 

 made his services particularly desirable. 



During May and June the superintendent held conferences 

 almost nightly with city and town boards, explaining to them 

 the requirements of the law and soliciting their co-operation 

 in suppressing the moth pest. 



