No. 4.] THE GYPSY MOTH. 293 



in March. Their opinions and advice were asked and freely 

 given. The mayors of cities and chairmen of selectmen 

 of towns in the infested territory w T ere also invited to be 

 present at the meeting. Most of these officers were present. 

 Their opinions on the situation and conditions in their several 

 localities were secured by the commission. 



Mr. E. H. Forbush of Worcester was appointed director 

 of field work, March 12, 1891. Mr. Forbush is a naturalist 

 of reputation and experience. He had been for several 

 years president and managing director of the Worcester 

 Natural History Society, and president of the Worcester 

 Summer School of Natural History. The commission was 

 obliged to secure his release from an engagement for scien- 

 tific work in order to obtain his services. 



Efforts were immediately made by the director and com- 

 mission to procure suitable men for the work. Several 

 were engaged from among the students of the Agricultural 

 College, and most of them proved to be efficient and 

 valuable assistants. The force was increased as suitable 

 men could be obtained, and the surrounding country was 

 carefully examined for the eggs of the moth, to the end 

 that the extent of the infested territory might be known 

 with certainty. It was found that the insect had secured a 

 foothold in twenty cities and towns, and that Medford, Mai- 

 den, Everett and parts of Somerville, Arlington, Melrose 

 and Cambridge were thoroughly infested. When the cater- 

 pillars appeared, spraying was commenced with a large 

 force of men and teams equipped with hogsheads of Paris 

 green and water, pumps, hose, ladders, oil suits, etc., — 

 an extensive and expensive outfit. 



Meantime, chapter 210, Acts of 1891, had become a law ; 

 and the committee of the Board of Agriculture above named 

 organized on May 19, 1891, by choosing Wm. E. Sessions, 

 chairman and secretary, and assumed control in the name 

 of and fo» the State Board of Agriculture. The sum of 

 $11,003.22 only remained of the previous appropriations. 

 The appointment of E. H. Forbush as director of field work 

 by the commission was confirmed and continued by the com- 

 mittee, and the plans formed by the commission were also 

 approved and adopted, and the committee directed that the 



