REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. IT 



The expense of taking care of the brown-tail moths in some 

 of the smaller towns has become so large that they are hardly 

 able financially to do the work in the manner in which it should 

 be done. Most towns depend upon picking and cutting to get 

 rid of the insects, doing this in the winter season when the nests 

 are easily recognized. We believe it would be better if they 

 would spray about the time the eggs hatch, the latter part of 

 July or the first of August, with a spray made up of 6 pounds 

 of arsenate of lead paste to lOo gallons of water. This, if prop- 

 erly applied, will destroy by far the larger part of the insects. 

 Towns should provide themselves with a power sprayer to care 

 ]'or their shade trees. 



The brown-tail moths have taken possession of the wood- 

 lands as well as the orchard and shade trees and the main hope 

 for the future lies in spraying and parasitic work. Reference '''. 

 had to the report of Major Philbrook, and to Bulletin Vol. XII, 

 No. 4, published by this department. 



Tent Caterpillar. 



The tent caterpillar was very abundant during the last sea- 

 son in some parts of 'the state. They were particularly notice- 

 able on cherry and apple trees, by the roadside. Many orchards 

 were completely stripped by them in the early spring. This 

 insect is easily taken care of by spraying. 



ROADSIDE IMPROVEMENT. 



Attention was caU'led earily in the season to the unsightly and 

 filthy conditions of miles upon miles of roadside caused by the 

 multitude of .brown-tail moths and tent caterpillars at work 

 upon wild cherry trees and apple trees. Immediately a circular 

 letter was sent to the municipal officers of the various towiis 

 calling itheir attention to this fact and that the law required 

 them, under heavy penalty, to clean up and destroy all wild 

 cherry trees 'and all dead and worthless apple trees within the 

 limits of the highways. 



Also a prize oi $40 was offered, for the best essay upon Road- 

 side Improvement furnished by any grange in the state. As a 

 result of this offer eighteen essays were sent in to Hon. P. A. 



