REPORT OF FIELD AGENT, GYPSY MOTH WORK. 73 



ment work has been done in the slightly infested border towns 

 in an effort to hold the moth in check in those towns as well as 

 to prevent any further spread into the interior of the State. 

 For the spirit of co-operation which has existed between the 

 state and government forces during the past year and for a 

 great deal of advice and assistance, Mr. D. M. Rogers, Superin- 

 tendent of the United States Gypsy moth work of New Eng- 

 land, is entitled to the deep gratitude of the department. \\'ith- 

 out this co-operation, the efficiency of our work wouM have 

 been greatly lessened. 



In relation to the badly infested towns of York and Cumber- 

 land Counties, it should be realized that whereas a great deal 

 of work has been done and good results obtained, it remains a 

 fact that the work is handicapped by lack of sufficient' funds to 

 cover the whole area of infested woodlands. A grain of en- 

 couragement is afforded by the parasites but at best this applies 

 to a very small portion of the infested territory and another 

 year may show a large increase of the pest in those very sec- 

 tions where this year there seem to have been favorable results. 



The following facts should be fully realized : 



Heretofore there has been no devastation of trees in Maine 

 because effective work has been done during the present and 

 previous years. Work was taken up in Maine before the pest 

 gained as strong a foothold as was the case in New Hampshire 

 and Massachusetts and it was therefore possible to prevent 

 devastation. But for all that there are now many sections in 

 York County where work will be necessary for many years 

 yet, if actual damage is to be prevented. In fact, unless the 

 work of suppression is carried on extensively over all the in- 

 fested territory, the forests of Maine will be in danger of de- 

 vastation and moreover all the money heretofore expended in 

 this work will have been wasted. 



Since taking charge of the Gypsy moth work. I have en- 

 deavored to place the work on a business-like basis and I w ish 

 to express my gratitude to the foremen who have worked 

 honestly and faithfully to bring this about. I take pleasure also 

 in assuring you that I appreciate the consideration and co-oper- 

 ation with which you have favored me during the past year. 



Respectfully submitted, 



A. O. PIKE, Field Agent. 



