208 AGRICULTURE OF MAINi;. 



from the planting there were no caterpillars crawling. On 

 examining the pupae 12% were found dead. The lateness of 

 the season prevented the working of the disease, to any great 

 extent. It requires about five days for the diseased germs to 

 become effective, so that in the six days intervening between the 

 planting out and the maturing of the caterpillars, the time was 

 too short for any appreciable result. 



On June 24 examined 25 pupae on the Eben Spinney place, 

 previously mentioned, and 44% were found to be dead. Quite 

 a number of caterpillars were found that had died before 

 pupating. 



On C. E. Langton's place new leaves were starting on the 

 apple trees and some growth of new wood was apparent. A 

 number of pupae were examined and quite a per cent were 

 found dead. 



All of the other plantings were visited and in most cases some 

 evidence of the work of the disease was apparent. 



The great abundance of the nests of the brown-tail this fall 

 over such an extent of territory is due to the unusual flight of 

 the moth on the night of July 2. Thousands of them came 

 across countr}' from New Hampshire and appeared in Portland 

 like a veritable snow squall. The next morning all lamp and 

 telephone poles, trees and sides of buildings were spotted white 

 with them. 



If the season of 1909 proves to be a favorable one we intend 

 10 follow up the fungous disease work, especially in the wooded 

 sections where they are abundant. 



The disease germs will winter over under ordinary conditions 

 so that if the disease can become fully established it may be 

 effective from year to year, providing the weather conditions 

 are favorable. 



THE GIPSY MOTH SITUATION. 



At the close of another year's work for the control of the 

 gipsy moth in the State the outlook is encouraging, to say the 

 least. 



When one makes a thorough investigation of the subject 

 there are brought to light facts that, in more ways than one, 

 demonstrate the thorough manner in which this problem is being 

 handled. 



