202 Twenty-Second Annual Repokt of the 



scouting revealed less than fifty webs, all of which were of medium or small 

 size. 



The origin of the moths on Long Island is not known, but it is supposed 

 that they must have flown across Long Island Sound from New England 

 territory. Flying by night, they were attracted by light-houses and the 

 powerful search lights of steamers plying the Sound. 



THE COST OF THE MOTH WORK 



The appropriations for the horticultural work of the State of New York 

 . since 1910 averaged about fifty thousand dollars a year. It has been estimated 

 that the total expenditure caused by the imported gipsy and brown-tail moths 

 into this country is nearly ten millions of dollars on the part of the Federal 

 Government, the states, municipalities and individuals. This makes no esti- 

 mate for the damage and loss caused by the depredations of the pests. Prop- 

 erty values have depreciated in sections where the brown-tail moth has be- 

 come established. 



A fair statement relative to the future of these insects is that where they 

 become thoroughly established annual spraying will be necessary for many 

 years to come. Where spraying is not done it is hoped that the introduction 

 of parasites will be effective, but in cases where the trees must be saved now, 

 it is not desirable to postpone spraying operations. Spraying, however, is 

 destructive to many of the parasites on whose good work dependence is 

 placed for eventually making a balance of natural conditions so much hoped 

 for by entomologists. 



It is reported that a small colony of gipsy moths has been found in New 

 Jersey and that strenuous efforts are being made to destroy it. Ohio is the 

 only other State that has the question to consider, as a small shipment of 

 granite rock from New England carried with it a few egg clusters of gipsy 

 moth. Strenuous efforts are being made there to locate the insects and have 

 them destroyed before damage occurs. 



The State Department of Agriculture wishes to acknowledge the very gen- 

 erous assistance and advice given by the officers of the Federal Government, 

 Dr. L. 0. Howard, Prof. Burgess, Messrs. Worthley and Rogers and also Dr. 

 Felt, State Entomologist of New York, and Prof. P. J. Parrott, Entomologist 

 of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva. 



In closing this sketch of the moth work it is proper to request that owners 

 of trees in any part, of the State who find caterpillar depredations shall com- 

 municate with the State Department of Agriculture at Albany and submit 

 specimens for identification. The owners of some large estates are inclined 

 to leave this problem to their gardeners and in some instances the gardeners 

 have neglected to make desirable reports of the insects coming under their 

 observation. 



If there are other colonies of these pests at any point in the State of New 

 York, it is not at present known. It will be seen, however, by the foregoing 

 that it is not impossible, indeed it is quite probable, that there are such 

 areas of infestation, therefore those who discover such should report the fact 

 at the earliest possible moment to the end that the Commissioner of Agricul- 

 ture may take such action as the law permits. 



