i84 agriculture; of maine. 



In the meantime several men were sent to Massachusetts by 

 request of Mr. Rogers, to learn the business, and afterwards 

 were employed by him in inspecting the principal cities east of 

 Portland. By the time Ellsworth, Bangor, Waterville, Augusta, 

 Hallowell, Rockland, Bath and Brunswick were finished, the 

 snow was too deep for further work. One egg cluster was taken 

 on the grounds of the Soldier's National Home at Togus, a cater- 

 pillar or moth having evidently been brought there by a soldier 

 returning from the infested district in Massachusetts at the 

 expiration of his furlough. This shows how easily a new 

 infestation might obtain a foothold before being discovered by 

 the authorities from the department. 



So much for history. Now for the live issue of the day, and 

 how best to meet and solve the problem that confronts us. The 

 past history is no dream. It is a stubborn reality, and no idle 

 words or even a grave discussion of the situation can set aside 

 the necessity for the adoption of prompt and drastic measures 

 to rid our State of this most unwelcome guest. Strenuous 

 efforts must be put forth by every loyal citizen of the State. 



UFE HISTORY OF THE GIPSY MOTH. 



There are four distinct stages in the life history of this insect, 

 namely, the egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa and adult or perfect 

 moth. The accompanying cuts are life size. 



EGG CLUSTER. 



The eggs are deposited in masses of from three to five hun- 

 dred in a cluster. These are laid during the period from the 

 last of July to the middle of August. The eggs are very small, 

 the cluster (Fig. i) averaging about an inch in diameter, of 

 irregular outline, flattened and covered with a yellowish, felt- 

 like substance which comes from the body of the female during 

 the process of laying the eggs. As the female moth is a very 

 weak flyer, these eggs are not deposited on the leaves as are those 

 of the brown-tail moth, but are placed on the trunks of the trees, 

 on the under side of large limbs, very often hidden away under 

 rocks, brush-piles, fence rails and holes in'trees, in fact, in any 

 out-of-the-way place where the moth can crawl in and be unmo- 

 lested. These eggs do not hatch until the following spring when 



