IK) (JYI'SY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



The falling off in numbers of caterpillar^- applies both to gypsy and 

 brown-tail moths. I have not observed this year anything like the num- 

 ber i't' bro\vn-tail moths living tliat was observed last year. 1 have 

 not M'cn this season any posts plastered with moths, as last summer. 

 La>t year and year before last we sold a lot of lotion I'm- brown-tail 

 poi-oi.ing. but this summer there lias been a very limited demand for it. 



An;. 1, 1906. 



CHAKLES H. ADAMS, MELROSE. 



In Melrose there has been a very great change for the better in the 

 moth situation. \\Y >ee it in less numbers of caterpillars, good condi- 

 tion of the tree- as i.i foliage, and freedom of the citizens from the 

 bro\\n-tail rash. While there ha\e been eases of non-compliance with 

 the law by property owners who did no work against the moths. I think 

 that the people as a whole have tried to do their share of this suppres- 

 Mve work. The law should provide a heavier penalty for failure of 

 owners to do what is required of them. If there is any danger in the 

 situation to-day, it is that owing to the good work of the city employees 

 people will think that the chief cause for alarm is largely over, and so 

 will cease their own efforts against the moths. 



Arc,, i, 1906. 



CHARLES J. BARTON, MAYOR. 



I am perfectly satisfied with what has been done against the moths in 

 Melrose this year. A great improvement is manifest over last year. 

 Except in the case of people who live on the woodland borders, we have 

 had very little discomfort as compared with previous years. For several 

 year- running, previous to this summer, I could scarcely sit on my 

 pia/./.a on account of the caterpillars. This summer I have not seen 

 one caterpillar on my place. I believe that if the moths are fought as 

 hard for a few years longer as they have been in the first year of the 

 State work, they will be brought down to so small a figure that they 

 can be taken care of at a very slight annual expense. 



A- to the brown-tails, an even greater improvement is noticeable. I 

 have M-en very few brown-tail moths Hying this year, and have heard of 

 but very I'ew ea>c> of poisoning. My family escaped poisoning this year 

 as \\e did not last year. 



\T.. i L906. 



Hox. SIKXKY I'.ITTKI< K. .M KI.KOSE. 



Moth conditions in the residential district of Melrose are much better 

 than last year. I live in the former heart of the infested district, where 

 last year my trees and those of my neighbors were denuded more or 

 less and bore little fruit. This year the trees are in good foliage and 

 ha\e fruit. As I ba\e driven about the residential parts of Melrose 

 I have not seen this summer any perceptible si-n of the gypsy 

 moths. 



