28 farmers' BULLETIN 845. 



carried out in a systematic way for the purpose of developing better 

 methods for the use of all concerned and to bring about the disper- 

 sion of the various parasites over the entire infested area as rapidly 



as possible. 



THE OUTLOOK. 



Infestation by the brown-tail moth i^ less severe than it has been 

 for a number of years. A marked reduction in the number of winter 

 webs has been noted, and if natural enemies continue as effective as 

 they are at present, this insect can be controlled with small expense. 

 At the present time, however, there is no way of telling exactly 

 what will happen in this respect, and a careful record is being kept 

 as to the abundance of this insect so that more work can be done 

 upon it if the effectiveness of natural enemies should be sud4enly 

 reduced. 



The gipsy-moth infestations have been reduced considerably dur- 

 ing the last few years. The territory infested has remained practi- 

 cally the same and the improved methods which have been emploj^ed 

 have shown good results. The great danger that widespread infes- 

 tation will be brought about .by wind drift of the small caterpillars 

 can not be ignored and every effort is being made to restrict this 

 danger as much as possible. When parasites are becoming more 

 effective, and the increase of the gipsy moth in the field is slow, is 

 the proper time to exert every effort to reduce further the abundance 

 of the insect and so far as possible decrease the area infested. 



o 



