No. 4.] THE GYPSY MOTH. 343 



which correspondingly reduces the number of burlaps re- 

 quired and the labor necessary in attending them. 



The loss each spring of experienced help deserves more 

 than a passing mention. The work against the gypsy moth 

 is unique, and for its successful prosecution demands the 

 services of trained and expert employees. The problem of 

 exterminating the gypsy moth is in its essentials simply one 

 of the continuous application of skilled labor in the methods 

 shown by experience to be effective. Where skilled and 

 unskilled labor can be obtained in the market at an equal 

 price, good business policy dictates the employment and 

 retention of experienced men only, as is illustrated by the 

 common practice of large corporations and other similar 

 bodies. This has been the policy of your committee, but 

 its eflbrts have been thwarted in part by the annual loss of 

 a considerable number of its most capable and expert em- 

 ployees. Thus the delayed appropriations and the con- 

 sequent suspensions of the work have annually produced 

 conditions which are undesirable, illogical and expensive. 



As soon as the main appropriation was available, the 

 force was reorganized by the recall of its former members, 

 the reinstatement of many employees of previous years and 

 the hiring of new men. In this manner the number of em- 

 ployees was gradually increased to its maximum of five 

 hundred and forty-three on July 1. 



During the latter part of April the general inspection of 

 the territory and the killing of egg-clusters were continued, 

 and the work necessary before putting on the burlaps was 

 completed as far as possible. A large supply of burlap and 

 insecticides was purchased and prepared for use. It had 

 been decided to concentrate the efforts of the year on the 

 work of destroying larv» under the burlaps, and to this end 

 over two million three hundred thousand trees were bur- 

 lapped. On about one million other trees the burlaps of the 

 previous year were in a serviceable condition. In the latter 

 part of May spraying operations were commenced. While 

 the dry season favored the rapid development of the cater- 

 pillars, it was also exceedingly favorable for the work of 

 spraying, which was continued into June with most excel- 

 lent results. The examination of the burlaps occupied the 



