No. 4.] THE GYPSY MOTH. 379 



known to the residents of the district. The swarmiuo; hordes 

 of caterpillars, the widespread devastation, the trees felted 

 with thousands of egg-clusters, have not been forgotten. 

 To-day we invite the most critical examination of the region 

 occupied by the gypsy moth, feeling confident that the result 

 of our work, as shown by the present scarcity of egg-clusters, 

 is the best evidence of its success. 



Of the cities and towns in the preceding list, twelve are 

 now in a condition where exterminative measures can be at 

 once prosecuted to advantage. Of the remaining, at least 

 thirteen should be inspected before the hatching period. If 

 this can be done, doubtless several of these will be found 

 so free from the moth that they may be added to the list of 

 those ready for exterminative work. In Beverly, Dan vers, 

 Brighton and Charlestown, places formerly infested, no form 

 of the moth has been found during 1899. -In a number of 

 towns there is necessary a large amount of preliminary work, 

 such as cutting; of trees and brush and the closing of cavities 

 in infested trees. This can be done from time to time, as 

 opportunities present. Should suitable funds be made availa- 

 ble early in the year, the work of inspection will be carried 

 on when the weather permits. At other times the force will 

 be utilized in cutting brush, thinning infested woodlands, 

 putting trees in condition for burlapping, and treating egg- 

 clusters in residential and woodland colonies. 



The work against the gypsy moth is now at a point 

 where the vigorous prosecution of exterminative measures is 

 a necessity, if the desired end is to be gained. The infes- 

 tations in the majority of the thirty-four cities and towns are 

 small, but somewhat numerous and widely scattered. When 

 they are stamped out, the moth will be exterminated. If 

 they are neglected, the moth will increase and spread. The 

 danger of reinfestation of cleared areas is not an unimportant 

 matter. When the Salem and Saugus colonies were neglected, 

 Marblehead and Xahant became reinfested. There is also the 

 greater danger of the increase of the known colonies. When 

 the infested woodland district in Maiden, Medford and Win- 

 chester was neglected, the infested area in these towns was 

 soon enlarged ten-fold, and the expense of the necessary work 

 in this district proportionately increased. 



