No. 4.] THE GYPSY MOTH. 377 



Melrose. — The residential portion of Melrose contains 

 scattered infestations, which are less numerous and extensive, 

 however, than those in the corresponding part of Maiden. 

 Because of the large numbers of the moth in Maiden in 1898, 

 but little attention could be given to Melrose in that year, and, 

 as a consequence, the insect increased to a considerable extent 

 in the woodland colonies in the southern part of the town. 

 It has been necessary to combat this increase during the past 

 summer. Before substantial progress can be made, a con- 

 siderable amount of preliminary work must be done. Under- 

 brush and dead trees should l)e removed in the southern 

 woodland colonies, and the cavities closed in a large number 

 of infested trees. Vigorous suppressive measures will be 

 necessary in Meh'ose for at least two 3'ears. 



Saugus. — The notable reduction of the numbers of the 

 gypsy moth in Saugus, made in 1897-98, has been more 

 than maintained the past season. The large centres of in- 

 festation have been kept in good condition through the 

 destruction of sprouts and underbrush and the clearing of 

 ground still farther outward from these centres. Not only 

 has the woodland section been much improved, but more 

 work than ever before has been done in the farming and vil- 

 lage districts of the town. Before exterminative work can 

 be done in Saugus it will be necessary to trim a large number 

 of infested trees, fill cavities in which the caterpillars might 

 hide, and make general use of other well-known preliminary 

 measures. 



More than 305,000 trees were burlapped and inspected 

 during the past summer. A greater number of burlaps 

 distributed over a larger portion of the town than ever before 

 were attended, and yet a smaller number of larvae was taken 

 in the entire town than has been found in the past on twenty 

 square rods of infested woodland. A comparison of the num- 

 ber of caterpillars killed by hand during the past three years 

 may be interesting : — 



In 1897, over 3,522,000 larvae in a small area of woodland. 



In 1898, about 300,000 larva? in a larger area, including both woodlands 



and residential districts. 

 In 1899, about 148,000 larvaJ over nearly the whole town, and of this 



number 42,546 were taken outside the woodland. 



