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these clusters apparently being over 3 or 4 years old, thus showing 
that there are many centers of infestation. 
It was most unfortunate that the work against the moth in Massa- 
chusetts incurred the enmity of a large number of discharged 
employees. It was well known to them that the finding of the moth 
outside of Massachusetts probably would cause the State to abandon 
the work of extermination. When the matter of continuing the work 
was being discussed in the legislature in 1899, a persistent rumor was 
in circulation to the effect that the moth had been ‘‘ planted” in Rhode 
Island. Efforts to trace these rumors to their source were not very 
successful, all the available clues being followed up without tangible 
results. While the occurrence of the moth in Providence may be due 
to some well-known means of distribution, in the absence of facts 
showing this to be the case it is hard to avoid the belief that the moth 
may have been deliberately carried to that city. 
The Providence city authorities have acted with commendable 
promptness in the matter, and under the direction of Mr. Southwick 
competent men are at work destroying the egg clusters with creosote 
oil. It is earnestly hoped that the fight against the insect will be con- 
tinued in order that its future spread may be prevented. 
In Massachusetts the gypsy moth has spread unchecked since the 
cessation of the State work against it, February 1, 1900. To those 
who had tried to make this work a success it was gratifying to note 
that in 1900 practically no damage by the moth occurred throughout 
the whole infested district. The former infestations had been so 
severely dealt with that comparatively few scattered insects remained. 
In some of the larger infestations, particularly in the central towns, 
there were enough moths to serve as nuclei for colonies, and the 
present year in restricted localities numbers of trees have been defoli- 
ated. The season has been favorable to the increase of the moth, and 
at the present date (August 15) formidable numbers of the egg clus- 
ters may be seen in all of the central towns of the infested district. 
It seems probable that in a few years the insect, if unmolested, will 
be sufficiently abundant to repeat the widespread damage caused in 
1888-1890. 
Already there are indications that public sentiment is becoming 
more favorably disposed toward the past work of the gypsy moth 
committee. Without doubt in a few years the increase and activity 
of the moth will again make necessary some organized effort to reduce 
its numbers. 
While the cessation of the work against the gypsy moth seemed 
unwise, and was a great disappointment to those familiar with it, yet it 
is fortunate that out of this work have come accurate and effective 
methods of dealing with the pest when it again appears in force. The 
value of these methods is well illustrated in the case of the Provi- 
dence infestation. Within a day after the colony was discovered a 
