346 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



parks. The magnificent Lynn woods reservation, a park 

 area which possesses in a remarkable degree the natural 

 features so desirable in a woodland park, has been in the 

 past so thoroughly infested with the moth that many trees 

 in restricted areas have been defoliated. The same un- 

 fortunate conditions have prevailed to a much greater degree 

 in the beautiful Fells reservation of the metropolitan park 

 system. 



Since the existence of large colonies of the moth in these 

 areas was a constant menace to the surrounding woodlands, 

 and would result in the devastation and death of many of 

 the trees, your committee has taken vigorous measures, so 

 far as funds would permit, to stamp out these infestations. 

 Wherever such work has been necessary in the Fells reser- 

 vation your committee has freely sought and as freely 

 received the co-operation of the Metropolitan Park Com- 

 mission. The respective ol)jects of the two bodies are in 

 entire harmony. The Park Commission has endeavored to 

 secure and maintain woodlands and other areas suitable for 

 park purposes, thus contributing to the enjoyment, comfort 

 and health of the inhabitants of the metropolitan district. 

 The object of your committee has been to preserve trees 

 and other vegetation from devastation and destruction by 

 the moth. 



The heroic measures which are practicable and economical 

 in the case of ordinary woodlands have not been adopted in 

 treating the colonies in the park system ; but, in order that 

 the integrity and beauty of the parks might be maintained, 

 many modifications in methods, involving a greater amount 

 of hand labor, have been made even at a material increase in 

 the cost of the work. At Pine Hill, Medford, for example, 

 it seemed desirable from the stand-point of the Park Com- 

 mission to preserve as many as possible of the young pines 

 springing up in the underbrush. To eradicate the moths 

 from this colony, it was practically a necessity to cut and 

 burn the underbrush, thus driving the insects to the trees 

 where they might be taken under the burlap. By modifica- 

 tion of this method of work, the young pines were pre- 

 served, although the expense of the necessary operations 

 was greatly increased. In this and many other instances 



