118 GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



As a result of this co-operative work, the State superin- 

 tendent has received from abroad several hundred parasites 

 of the gypsy moth, while at the present time nearly eveiy 

 steamer brings a consignment of brown-tail moth webs con- 

 taining parasites. During December many thousands of these 

 webs were received and forwarded to the Saugus laboratory. 

 People who have suffered from the brown-tail moth plague 

 will find consolation in the fact that in Europe this pest is 

 said to be extensively parasitized in the web stage, although 

 in this country the webs are practically free from attack. 

 The superintendent is very hopeful that from the imported 

 webs there will be developed a large swarm of beneficial 

 parasites, which will help in the work of suppressing the 

 brown-tail moth. 



As soon as the field work of the summer of 1905 was under 

 way, a temporary scientific laboratory was established at 

 Maiden, and a careful search made for a suitable location for 

 the permanent laboratory for propagating parasites. The 

 importation of parasites is but one feature of the experiment. 

 The insects, after arrival, must be carefully sorted, reared, 

 propagated and disseminated. A careful watch must be kept 

 at all times to detect and destroy any secondary parasites. 



It was desirable to locate the laboratory in a section 

 thoroughly infested by both moths, so that there might be 

 available at all times plenty of material for food for the 

 parasites. It was also necessary to secure a considerable 

 area of land which could be controlled for use in out-door 

 experiments. It was decided, as a measure of economy, to 

 lease a small farm with buildings, and after considerable 

 search such a place was found in North Saugus. This lo- 

 cality, while easily accessible by electric cars, is sufficiently 

 isolated to escape any marked visitation from curiosity 

 seekers and others who might accidentally or intentionally 

 disturb experiments in progress. We were fortunate in 

 securing a house large enough to give ample room for use 

 as a laboratory, and at the same time to furnish dwelling 

 rooms for the entomologist in charge of the work. Thus 

 the man who is responsible for the care and rearing of the 

 parasites is at all times on the ground, and can give them 



