24 TIIK BROWX-TATL MOTH. 



The testimony of such witnesses gives uiKiuestioned evi- 

 dence of the damage caused by the moth. A large number 

 of statements equally interesting and of the same general 

 tenor have been omitted, as being only corroboratory. . 

 Public interest in the moth was most intense wherever the 

 insect had appeared in force ; trees were devastated, garden 

 crops destroyed, and dwellings swarmed Avith the caterpil- 

 lars : while to the gypsy moth committee and their em- 

 ployees went forth in no uncertain tones the ]\Iacedonian 

 cry, "Come over and help us," — an appeal to which the 

 committee did not turn a deaf ear. 



The 1897 outbreak was novel and even alarming, hence 

 property owners observed the caterpillars more closely than 

 in later vears : yet each year since in sections where the 

 moth has been neglected the same devastation of trees, the 

 same migrating of hungry caterpillars, the same injury to 

 human beings, has occurred. Wherever Aveb destruction 

 at the proper time has been properly carried out, either by 

 individuals or municipalities, a notable degree of freedom 

 from damage by this insect has been secured. 



The Campaign acjainst the Moth. 

 As soon as the identity of the brown-tail moth had been 

 settled, the infested district was thoroughly examined by 

 ]\Iessrs. Fernald and Kirkland, accompanied by President H. 

 II. Goodell of the Hutch Experiment Station of the Massa- 

 chusetts Agricultural College. A[)i)reciating the gravity of 

 the situation, President Goodell authorized the preparation 

 of a special bulletin on the insect, which was published by 

 the Hatch Experiment Station in July, 1S97, and generally 

 distriluited in the metropolitan district. The presence of 

 the moth was also brought to the attention of His Excel- 

 lency the late Governor Roger ^^'olcott, by the following 

 letter from the gypsy moth committee and the director of 



the Experiment Station : — 



Boston, M:iy '25, 1897. 



His Excellency Roger Wolcott, (Jovernor of the Connnomvealth. 



Sir: — We desire to submit for your consideration llie facts 



relative to another insect pest whieli has appeared for the fust tiiue 



in this Connnouwealtli and in the rnitctl States. 



