APPENDIX. xxxiii 



pared to see that such progress had been made toward the exter- 

 mination of the notorious gypsy moth. It was a surprise to me 

 that in the brief space of three years the fearful ravages of the 

 insect as described to me and as pictured in photographs could 

 have been reduced to such a comparative harmlessness that to the 

 ordinary observer no indication of its presence was ^'isible, and 

 that in a ride of an entire day through several of the " infested 

 towns," including a visit to localities which had been frightfully 

 scourged, not a single example of the caterpillar was found by 

 me, although diligent search for it was made. 



How a work of such magnitude, extending over so large a terri- 

 tory, could have been accomplished, was a wonder and an enigma 

 to me, until I became acquainted with the means by which it had 

 been brought about. These are, in part : — 



First. Your work at the insectary is largely supplementing 

 that being conducted at the Maiden headquarters. I regard it so 

 exceedingly valuable and so absolutely essential to the best results 

 in field work, the one to check and therefore to aid the other. 



Second. The committee, I am confident, have been both wise 

 and fortunate in their selection of Mr. Forbush as director of field 

 work. I think that I estimate correctly when 1 say that he is 

 eminently fitted for the important and responsible position. A 

 high degree of judgment and discretion has evidently been exer- 

 cised in the selection of those employed by him and the retention 

 of those best qualified for the duties assigned them. The execu- 

 tive ability displayed by him in the organization of his force, its 

 direction, guidance, supervision, equipment, accountability, etc., 

 seems to me remarkable, and to go far toward the accounting for 

 the singular success that has attended his administration. 



Third. The " storehouse" greatly interested me. It may prop- 

 erly be called an " arsenal," for it is furnished with all the 

 appliances needed for conducting in the most effective manner the 

 warfare in which you are engaged. In it are found not only all 

 of the more important instruments and materials that economic 

 entomology had tested in former years but many new ones, called 

 into use for the first time, as the need had become apparent and 

 the ability for their conception and production was at command. 

 "With such means, as above indicated, your State, which has 

 been liberal in its appropriations, has a right to expect ample 

 returns. It will not be disappointed, for jon have already accom- 

 plished more than could have been reasonably expected. 



I trust that your Legislature will see the wisdom of continuing 

 the work under suitable appropriations, until the extermination of 

 the insect has been attained, or at least until it shall have been 



