1906.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT- -No. 73. 113 



but, iii view of the fact that the State had authorized you to super- 

 intend the carrying on of extensive work in the territory outside 

 the reservations, it was deemed wise to begin the work, at the ex- 

 pense of other funds not primarily intended for this purpose, in 

 September last, with the result that we are now farther along with 

 the work than we have ever been in any previous year. At the 

 same time, it will hardly be possible to continue this work out of 

 these funds beyond the time when the Legislature shall decide what 

 maintenance appropriations shall become available for this year. 

 We shall therefore be obliged to ask for a large special appropria- 

 tion this year, and we deem the matter so important that, when it 

 is under consideration, we trust you will, if possible, appear before 

 the committee and give your testimony in regard to the character 

 of the work being done and the advisability of the appropriation. 



Again thanking you for your kindly interest and assistance, I 

 remain, 



Very respectfully yours, 



(Signed) W. B. DE LAS CASAS, 



Chairman. 



METROPOLITAN WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD, 

 BOSTON, MASS., Jan. 5, 1906. 



Mr. A. H. KIRKLAND, Superintendent for Suppressing Gypsy and 

 Brown-tail Moths, 6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. 



DEAR SIR : In response to your request I send you a brief 

 description of the work done by the Metropolitan Water and 

 Sewerage Board in protecting property under its charge from the 

 ravages of the gypsy and brown-tail moths. This work has been 

 confined mainly to the property around Spot Pond, although con- 

 siderable work has been done on property at Mystic Lake and the 

 Mystic pumping station, and at the Chestnut Hill reservoir. 



The land around Spot Pond belonging to the Board comprises 

 about 200 acres, all of which is infested to a greater or less degree 

 with both gypsy and brown- tail moths. For the double purpose 

 of improving the character of the wooded areas and of reducing 

 the number of trees to be protected, a large number of trees on 

 the thickly wooded areas have been cut clown. Between Feb. 24 

 and July 21, 1905, about $5,000 was expended in protecting the 

 remaining trees by applying creosote to the egg clusters of the 

 gypsy moth, placing bands of burlap and also of Tanglefoot 

 around the trees, and by spraying the foliage with Disparene. 

 Nearly all of this sum was expended in protecting about 80 acres 

 of land, most of which was badly infested with gypsy moths. All 



