THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH. 29 



campaign of web destruction was comnienced, in which 

 large masses of webs, particuhirly in Cambridge, Somer- 

 ville, "Maiden, ^ledford and Everett, were destroyed, the 

 sum of $9,998.96 being spent in this work. Up to Jan. 1, 

 1899, thirtj'^-two cities and towns were found infested by 

 the moth. 



Work against the brown-tail moth Avas continued by le^r- 

 islative enactment with another appi-opriation of $10,000, 

 deducted from th(^ sum ap])r()priated for work against the 

 gypsy moth. This was chicfl}^ spent in web destruction 

 late in the fall, the actual sum expended in this Avork being 

 $9,999.81. 



During the yenv 1899 the following work was accom- 

 plished : — 



Trees insi^ected, 413,758 



Trees sjjrayed, 2,517 



Old winter webs destroyed, 13,519 



New winter webs destroyed, 884,480 



With the cessation of the State work against the gypsy 

 moth and broAvn-tail moth, in February, 1900, it became 

 necessary for municipalities to enter u])on a cam])aign against 

 the latter insect. 



This work Avas taken up in good spirit by the AA^orst-in- 

 fested nuinicipalities, and has been carried out to a greater 

 or less extent each Avinter since that time. Cambridge, Som- 

 crA'ille, ^Medford and Lynn haAC been particidarly acti\'e in 

 destroying the brown-tail moth, and as a result these cities 

 have been (juite generally exempt from damage by these 

 caterpillars in the sunnucr season. These operations have 

 been large!}' directed toAvard the destruction of the moth 

 on street trees. iVIan}" cities have taken the broad — and it 

 seems to the AA^iters entirel}' correct — view that the moth 

 on private estates, if neglected, is a menace to the shade 

 trees of the city as well as to the property of other citizens. 

 Where this view has been held, the moth has been destroyed 

 on street trees and private trees alike : and, as a result of 

 this treatment, cities like Somervillc iiiul (^ambridirc have 

 gained quite a degree of imiuunity from the insect. Unfor- 

 tunately, however, Avhere certain cities light the moth in a 



