2.^2 AGRICUIvTURS OF MAINE. 



The law covering this appropriation provides that each town shall 

 assist in the work, but the most effectual help must come from the active 

 co-operation of all the citizens everywhere. It is a question that vitally 

 affects the interests of all the members of our Order, and one that must 

 ensure their immediate attention, before it is too late. Now is the time 

 to act; another year will not do. 



I ask that you arrange to gather the nests of the brown-tail moth at 

 once, before the young caterpillars leave them. If they once get estab- 

 lished in the State as they now are in Kittery and York, it will be 

 impossible to control them, and we shall be at their mercy. I ask in 

 your own interest that you take hold of this important matter and help 

 rid the State of these dangerous pests. 



Fraternally, 



O. GARDNER. 



STATE OF MAINE. 



DEPARTMENT OE AGRICUI,TURE. 



Bureau of Entomology. 



Augusta, April 15, 1907. 

 To the Patrons of Maine. 



Brothers and Sisters : — I enclose a letter from Brother Gardner which 

 is self explanatory. To this T wish to add a word. 



It is now quite thoroughly understood throughout the State that we 

 have in our midst two very destructive insect pests. The Department 

 of Agriculture is doing and will continue to do all in its power to con- 

 trol or exterminate these pests, but we cannot do thorough work unless 

 our farmers and orchardists put their shoulder to the wheel and help 

 along the good work. If the army of 50,000 Patrons in our State will 

 come to the rescue, much can be accomplished. The work of the depart- 

 ment on the brown-tail moth will of necessity be educational, as it has 

 been in the past. 



Under the new law towns and cities in the infested district have done 

 and are doing excellent work. The work in nursery and orchard 

 inspection will be much more extensive than during the last two years. 



Much the larger portion of the $30,000 appropriated will be used in 

 an endeavor to exterminate the gipsy moth which has gained an entrance 

 into York County and possibly Cumberland. This pest MUST BE 

 exterminated at all costs. The national government is assisting us in 

 this matter. 



Now what we want of every member of the Order is a hearty cooper- 

 ation in the matter of an injurious insect campaign, to begin at once. , 

 Many of you do not live in the infested district of the gipsy and brown- 

 tail moths, but these may reach you during the coming season, and it is 

 these isolated infestations that we are so anxious about. In anticipa- 

 tion of this fact I earnestly urge that each subordinate grange appoint 

 a committee of three or five to take the matter of injurious insects in 



