38 REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 



that the hickories are doomed like the chestnuts may be set at 

 rest. In this case we . have to deal with an insect instead of a 

 fungous disease, a less serious matter. Moreover, the larvse of 

 the beetle, which do most of .the damage, work chiefly in weak- 

 ened trees, generally avoiding those that are well nourished and 

 healthy. Attacks on the twigs by which the foliage is made 

 to wilt and fall off can be controlled in a measure by pruning, 

 and moderate infestations .reduced somewhat by coating the 

 trunk with white-wash in which arsenate of lead has been 

 mixed, or with strong whale-oil soap suds. In any case, burn 

 at once all trimmings that may harbor the insects or their eg;gs. 

 But : the best and most practicable remedy is to work the 

 ground beneath the trees, fertilize and water it. See p. 39. If 

 the insects are very active, cut the tree down. and burn the wood 

 at once; it can be expected to live only a short. time anyhow; 

 to delay its removal simply gives the beetles a chance to .mul- 

 tiply and attack neighboring trees. 



BROWN TAIL MOTH AND GYPSY MOTH. 



The State is still free of these dangerous insects. Specimens 

 of both have been discovered but thus far. the State Entomolo- 

 gist has succeeded in exterminating them. There is, therefore, 

 no necessity for assuming. the great expense that New England 

 now bears in its effort to control these pests. 



TUSSOCK MOTH. 



In several cities this insect does much damage besides being 

 a general nuisance. It can be controlled, .however, by picking 

 off and destroying the cocoons in winter and banding the trees 

 with cotton batting. in May. If this is omitted, or is not effec- 

 tive, the caterpillars can be poisoned when on the foliage by 

 spraying as for elm leaf .beetles. 



LEOPARD MOTH. 



The larvae of this insect do .much damage in several of the 

 northeastern cities, but the trouble is not general. Control is 



