98 ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS. 



prevent the spread anti increase of the gypsy moth in New Hampshire 

 by annual inspections along all highwaj^s liable to infestation. But 

 without the expenditure by the State of Massachusetts of a very much 

 larger sum and in a more efficient manner than is now possible under 

 its present law, it will be but a few 3'ears until the gypsy moth will be 

 so abundant in Massachusetts up to the New Hampshire line that it 

 will be practically impossible to prevent its spread or to control it in 

 New Hampshire. 



New Hampshire is thus ultimately helpless to prevent the invasion 

 of the gypsy moth, and the possible destruction of her grand old 

 elms, shading the highways, her important lumber interests, and for- 

 est-clad mountains — the features which make the State one of the 

 most beautiful and attractive in the ITnion — unless Massachusetts 

 may be aided by liberal appropriations from the Federal Government, 

 so that the further spread of the pest may be checked and it may be 

 increasingly controlled where it is worst. To this end bills have been 

 introduced during the present session by Hon. E. W. Eoberts, of Mas- 

 sachusetts (H. R. 285 and 286), appropriating $250,000 for the exter- 

 mination or control of the gypsy moth and $15,000 for the importa- 

 tion of parasites and predaceous enemies, to be administered by the 

 Secretary of Agriculture. These measures have the hearty support of 

 New Hami)shire, and, the writer believes, of all the best interests in 

 New England, and we trust that they may be indorsed by appropriate 

 resolution by this association. 



Yet, although we earnestly desire this appropriation for innnediate 

 use, it seems to the writer that the whole matter of the relation of the 

 National Government to the control of insect pests is in an unsatis- 

 factory condition. Who can guarantee that this appro])riation will 

 be I'epeated? How can it be administered under present laws, except 

 through the officials of the State of Massachusetts? In New Hamp- 

 shire we ha^'e no legislation upon the matter at present, and any 

 action would have to be taken entirely with the permission of prop- 

 erty owners — as at present no damage to property would be involved — 

 and by the approval of the governor. If the National Government 

 has the power to make an appropriation for this purpose, why has it 

 rot the right to provide the proper machinery for its administration, 

 whenever the necessity may arise, from other pests in various parts of 

 the country, without special subsequent action of Congress authoriz- 

 ing same; and if Congress has such perogatives, why should they not 

 be exercised for the benefit of the agricidtural and horticultural inter- 

 ests as well as for the city trees and for the entire country? To show 

 the iDropriety, feasibility, and desirability of such legislation is the 

 writer's purpose. 



That national control of introduced insect pests would be of the 



