380 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Reduced and delayed appropriations result only in the 

 neglect of a part of the necessary work, the loss of ground 

 gained, and the undesirable and dangerous prolongation of 

 the whole undertaking. While the writer's opinion is entitled 

 to such weight only as his entomological training and experi- 

 ence in the work warrant, he firmly believes that, if the final 

 stages of the attempt to exterminate the gypsy moth cannot 

 receive the prompt and liberal support of the Legislature, the 

 whole undertaking should be abandoned. 



For the Consideration of Tax Payers. 

 The establishment of the imported gypsy moth in Massa- 

 chusetts involves an important question of public policy. 

 While there are doubtless individuals w^ho do not believe 

 that the moth is a serious pest, such are not to be found 

 among those who have seen or suflered from the unrestricted 

 ravages of the insect. The limitations of inexperience, 

 popular ignorance or indiflTerence are conspicuously evident 

 in those most skeptical of the insect's power for harm ; on 

 the other hand, hundreds of intelligent citizens in eastern 

 Massachusetts have a knowledge born of disastrous expe- 

 rience with the uncontrolled increase of the gypsy moth. 

 That the pressure of public opinion was strong enough to 

 induce the State to begfin the work of extermination is 

 sufficient evidence of the insect's ability to cause severe and 

 widespread devastation. Granting, then, that the gypsy 

 moth is a serious foe to our agricultural interests, as well 

 as to our forests, parks and shade trees, and that it exists 

 in a restricted area, it is evident that its control and ex- 

 termination are at once desirable and necessary. Theo- 

 retically, this end may be obtained in two ways; (1) by 

 the co-operation of all owners of infested estates ; (2) by 

 action on the part of the State. The abstract proposition, 

 w^iether the moth can be controlled by individuals, is not 

 difficult of solution in the light of comparatively recent 

 history. This system of fighting the moth was thoroughly 

 tested by property owners in Medford during the years 

 1888-90. In the time which had elapsed since the unfortu- 

 nate introduction of the insect in 1869 the moth had become 

 acclimatized and disseminated over an area many miles iu 



