26 GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



already been made up, and that, despite the caterpillar 

 nuisance, it was difficult to secure appropriations in season 

 for effective work. In the case of many towns a special 

 town meeting was necessary, and all these delays militated 

 strongly against the success of the season's efforts. 



An additional reason for delaying local appropriations was 

 found in the fact that many municipalities had already made 

 large expenditures before the passage of the act for which 

 no reimbursement could be obtained. Thus the city of 

 Salem spent nearly $8,000 during the winter and spring 

 preceding the enactment of the law, while Medford, Somer- 

 ville, Cambridge and many other communities had already 

 made liberal expenditures. While the request for addi- 

 tional large appropriations may have appeared as a hardship 

 to some communities, it should be borne in mind that the 

 expenditures previously made had resulted in reducing the 

 amount of work necessary during the season of 1905. 



In some cases there was evident a marked tendency to 

 delay making appropriations and in a few a strong attempt 

 to bring the work within the sphere of local politics, a state 

 of affairs which seems as remarkable as it is unfortunate. 

 The problem of combating the two moths calls for the best 

 thought and the heartiest co-operation of every one inter- 

 ested in preserving our trees from harm, and it is evident 

 that it ought to be treated as a business proposition, pure 

 and simple, without reference to political considerations of 

 any kind. The cost of the work will be great, even with a 

 maximum of efficiency and the utmost economy. While the 

 regrettable conditions mentioned have obtained in the case 

 of a few municipalities, the response from the cities and 

 towns as a whole has been most hearty and encouraging. 

 They have taken abroad view of the situation, have provided 

 the necessary funds, have placed competent men in charge of 

 the work and have endeavored to prosecute it vigorously and 

 effectively. In many places citizens having large business 

 interests have gladly taken up the burden of directing the 

 work, and have given freely of their time and often of their 

 personal funds in the effort to suppress the moths. Where 

 public service can command the well-trained energies of 



