1907.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 73. 53 



effort has been made to thin the trees and cut the underbrush 

 along the border of the Fells reservation of the metropolitan 

 parks system, and this is still in progress. Over some 25 acres 

 north of Doleful Pond the brush has been cut, dead and decayed 

 trees removed, and the remainder put in good condition for next 

 season's work. Operations are now in progress on the Dyke 

 estate, bordering the reservation, and it is hoped that by the 

 opening of the caterpillar season the park border in Stoneham 

 will be well protected from caterpillar invasion from without. 

 Within the residential section an evident gain has been made 

 against the moths, and it is apparent, if the present good work 

 can be properly followed up, a satisfactory permanent gain 

 will be secured. 



SWAMPSCOTT. 



GEORGE NEWHALL, Local Superintendent. 



The winter work by the local superintendent showed nearly 

 every estate infested by the gypsy moth, often in large numbers. 

 In the pasture area adjoining Salem, which was cut over the 

 previous fall, the brush and debris were burned in May, while 

 the caterpillars were small, with very satisfactory results. The 

 remaining trees in this section were burlapped and attended 

 during the summer. The fall inspection shows a great improve- 

 ment in the condition of the street trees throughout the town 

 and in the residential districts not adjoining woodlands. Where 

 such districts adjoin infested woodlands there has been an in- 

 crease in the numbers of the moth, - - a fact which emphasizes 

 the importance of brush cutting and thinning operations, which 

 the local superintendent has so vigorously prosecuted the past 

 fall. 



If the work done here can be followed up by thorough spray- 

 ing and burlapping next summer, still more gain will be made 

 in bringing the moth under control. 



WAKEPIELD. 

 W. W. WHITTBEDGE, Local Superintendent. 



The condition of affairs as regards the gypsy moth at Wake- 

 field is most serious, though important gain has been made in the 

 combat against the brown-tail moth. Gain has been made in 



