1906.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 73. 153 



growth and bushes, not only along roadsides and on vacant 

 lots but also in yards and cultivated fields, has been removed, 

 for the reason either that it was exposed to infestation by 

 the moths or was already infested. Along with this removal 

 of trees and brush has gone on much general clearing up of 

 estates, such as the burning of old brush heaps, doing away 

 with dumps, removal of rubbish and cleaning up of vacant 

 lots. To give a concrete instance, in the city of Melrose, 

 where the suppressive work has been pushed with vigor by 

 the local superintendent, there were gathered on private 

 and public grounds twenty-seven cart loads of tin cans, 

 notorious nesting places for gypsy moths. 



WORK OF CONTRACTORS. 



Owing to the difficulties which attend the efforts of private 

 citizens in combating the moths, such as lack of suitable ap- 

 paratus and of special knowledge of the insects, it is not 

 strange that in eastern Massachusetts there has sprung up a 

 new industry, and that many individuals and concerns are 

 now engaged in the business of destroying the pests, both 

 on public and private grounds. Over a dozen concerns are 

 so engaged, together with scores of individual workers. 

 Many of these have done most efficient work. The superin- 

 tendent has prepared a list of contractors who on their rec- 

 ords are believed to be reliable and efficient, and has supplied 

 it to inquirers upon request. 



It is greatly regretted that along with this development of 

 a legitimate enterprise numerous irresponsible persons have 

 engaged in the business, with the result that many citizens, 

 desirous of destroying the moth pests on their property, 

 have been badly swindled. A great deal of inefficient work 

 has thus been done, and, as a consequence, many property 

 owners have been discouraged from employing reputable 

 contractors. In a few cases, where suitable evidence could 

 be secured, the superintendent has been instrumental in 

 having certain swindlers put into court. Lacking any spe- 

 cific control over the situation, the policy of publicity has 

 seemed to be the only remedy, and we have not hesitated to 

 expose persons known to be unreliable. 



