1906.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 73. 65 



This town has been found generally infested with the 

 gypsy moth, although none of the colonies so far located are 

 of large size. The insect is scattered throughout the entire 

 area, as shown by an examination made by Inspector F. W. 

 Parkins. The moths are most numerous in the central resi- 

 dential section, 26 egg clusters having been found on a single 

 estate. The town has been scouted, with the exception of 

 the West Boxford section, and this work will be completed 

 before the eggs hatch. About one-third of the street trees 



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in the town have been cleared of both species of moths. 

 Next season the trees in the sections infested with the gypsy 

 moth should be burlapped and thoroughly attended. The 

 brown-tail moth is scattered throughout the town, although 



C- * <^ 



nowhere in excessive numbers. 



BRAINTREE. 

 ELMER E. ABERCROMBIE, Local Superintendent. 



1905, amount required before reimbursement, . . . $ 981 55 



1906, amount required before reimbursement, . . . 1,963 09 

 1905, amount expended in work against moths, . . . 821 92 

 1905, amount of State reimbursement, 



Braintree is generally infested with the gypsy moth, and 

 bears practically the same relation to travel to southern 

 Massachusetts towns as does Quincy or Weymouth to those 

 located on the South Shore. A serious colony has been 

 located in the northerly part of the town, and the fall in- 

 spection has shown egg clusters generally scattered in small 

 numbers throughout the town, being most numerous near the 

 Fore River. The street trees have been cleared of both 

 species of moths, but much work remains to be done on 

 private estates to bring the pests under control. Burlapping 

 should be generally adopted next year throughout the town, 

 and spraying possibly may be necessary in certain sections. 



The condition of Braintree is most serious and demands a 

 large amount of careful work. An effort will be made to 

 inspect the woodland adjoining the Blue Hills Reservation, 

 where it is feared that the gypsy moth may have established 

 itself in considerable numbers. 



