INTRODUCTORY. 



Anything that offers promise of being effective in our war- 

 fare against the gypsy moth is hailed with delight by our 

 Massachusetts people. 



It is with pleasure that the State Forester is able to offer 

 this publication, setting forth the work with the " wilt disease/' 

 or " Flacherie," of the gypsy moth, which has been carried on 

 during the past two years by Mr. William Keiff, under the 

 supervision of Prof. W. M. Wheeler of the Bussey Institution 

 of Harvard University. Professor Wheeler's co-operative in- 

 terest in the moth-suppression work in the State is highly appre- 

 ciated by the State Forester, and the results shown in this 

 bulletin will prove, we are sure, of great interest generally. 



This bulletin is a companion, in a way, to that issued on 

 parasites, in that it is another method of attacking our foe. 

 We desire to have as many strings as possible to our bow in 

 fighting this pest. That this " wilt disease " is a most hopeful 

 remedy there is little question. We anticipate carrying on 

 even more extensive work with it the coming season. 



Upon reading this bulletin it will be readily apparent that 

 any one can easily assist in furthering this work at little, if 

 any, expense; and it is to be hoped that many will not only 

 acquaint themselves .with the methods employed, but experi- 

 ment on their own initiative. If the State Forester can assist 

 you in any way do not hesitate to call upon him. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



The experimental work and writing up of the data in this 

 bulletin was done by Mr. William Reiff of the Entomological 

 Laboratory of the Bussey Institution of Harvard University. 



The State Forester decided that the work undertaken by 

 Mr. William Reiff during the season of 1909 was we'll worthy 



