lOO AGRICULTURE OF M MNE. 



In view of the warnings issued by this Department in years 

 past, it should surprise no one to learn that the Gipsy moth is 

 now beginning to destroy woodland growth in York County. 

 During the past summer, I have noticed several cases of defo- 

 liation in Wells, South Berwick and York. The most serious 

 of these was in the vicinity of Mount Agamenticus in the town 

 of York. Here, about twenty acres of oak growth were 

 stripped of foliage. No work was done there this year on ac- 

 count of lack of funds. 



In the early fall a woodland infestation was discovered on 

 the bank of the New Meadows river in the town of Brunswick. 

 The selectmen proceeded to furnish $150.00 and this with an 

 equal amount from the State was expended in placing this 

 infestation under control. Our work there resulted in the 

 destruction of over 4,000 egg clusters- In addition, this wood- 

 land was thinned out and all dead wood and slash were burned 

 so that a little effort each year will now handle it satisfactorily. 

 Finding an infestation of this size so far towards the interior 

 of the State is unusual and alarming, since it is probable that 

 there are others in that vicinity or even farther up the State. 



In addition to the field work, considerable correspondence has 

 been carried on by the Field Agent in connection with inquiries 

 concerning the Gipsy moth. Many reported infestations have 

 been investigated and several new ones located in that way. 



A set of lantern slides has been prepared during the year 

 for the use of the Department and is now available for lecture 

 work, showing the Gipsy moth in all its stages and the methods 

 used for its suppression. These pictures were shown for the 

 first time by the Field Agent at the State Dairy Meeting at 

 Saco, Dec. 13th. 



In consideration of the rapid increase of the Gipsy moth and 

 our inability to hold it in check during the past two years, there 

 seem to be two courses left to pursue, — either to appropriate a 

 sum of money sufficient to make the present methods effective 

 or to adopt a new policy. I believe that the first course is not 

 feasible inasmuch as the amount of money requisite for carry- 

 ing on present methods effectively over all the extent of infested 

 territory would be an excessive sum for the State to raise for 

 this work. Although the work conducted during the past six 



