THE MASSACHUSETTS FORESTRY DEPARTMENT. 



The work of the State Forester is divided into four branches, 

 under separate administrative heads, as follows : gypsy moth, 

 forest fires, forestry, and forest utilization. We do not mean 

 to indicate that there is a distinct line of cleavage between 

 these four branches and that each works independently of 

 the other. The object of the State Forester, as stated by 

 law, is the perpetuation, extension, protection, and proper 

 management of the forest lands of the Commonwealth, both 

 public and private (Acts of 1904, chapter 409, section 2). 

 All of these branches work together to produce this result, 

 and their work must interlock, as their interests are united. 



Gypsy Moth Suppression. 



The law provides that each individual town shall care for 

 the suppression of the gypsy and brown-tail moths within its 

 borders through a local superintendent appointed by the 

 selectmen or mayors and approved by the State Forester. 

 In carrying out measures for such suppression, the local 

 superintendent acts under the direction of the State Forester, 

 his deputized assistant, and district superintendents. We 

 shall not go into detail in regard to the financing of this 

 work as provided by law as the details are somewhat com- 

 plicated. Suffice it to say that each town has a liability which 

 is one twenty-fifth of one per cent, of its valuation. This 

 sum, which amounts to only a few hundreds in small towns 



