68 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



central part of Maine — the part not yet infested with the g)'psy 

 moth — have such a fear of this pest and desire so strongly to be 

 protected from it, that, as far as I am able to learn, they are 

 more than ready and willing to pay their part of such appro- 

 priations as may be necessary to prevent the insect from spread- 

 ing beyond its present limits and eventually invading their lands. 

 Should the gypsy moth be allowed to increase and spread, such 

 ci course would end in enormous loss of wealth to the State of 

 IMaine. 



Massachusetts has expended about $6,000,000 in the moth 

 work. This is a large amount of money. JMassachusetts is a 

 rich state and is able to expend such a sum of money for such 

 a purpose, but for Maine, the prospect would be ruinous. Hope 

 must be placed in the Legislature of 1911-12 to make such ap- 

 propriation as may be necessary to stop the spread of the moth 

 to new territory, the purchase of more high power spraying ma- 

 chines as well as the introduction of parasites and other natural 

 enemies of the gypsy moth. 



The appropriations made by previous Legislatures have not 

 been large enough to properly carry on the work throughout the 

 entire year and a system of co-operation has existed between 

 the Government Field Agent and this office, so the work could 

 be continued uninterruptedly. 



By such an arrangement it has been possible to keep most of 

 the force employed during the entire year. This is an important 

 factor in our work, as by this method we are able to train and 

 keep the men of the force up to a high degree of efficiency. 



The work in Maine has been carefully and thoroughly handled 

 by the force and the men have shown much interest and enthu- 

 siasm in meeting this difficult problem. 



All of the known colonies have been given most thorough at- 

 tention, and their conditions have improved each year. Many 

 new infestations have been discovered in the already infested 

 towns and cities and several new towns have been added to those 

 already known to be infested. The scouting is still being car- 

 ried on by the government, and without any doubt, many more 

 towns will be found infested. 



During the year 19 10 the work against the g>'psy moth has 

 been carried on practically along the same lines as in the three 

 preceding years, and with the same gratifying results. 



