No. 4.] SHADE-TREE INSECT PROBLEM. 109 



any right to take public funds to apply on private estates. 

 We got a ruling from the city solicitor, to see if we had the 

 right to do it. He said, " If you have a right to do it for 

 the elm-tree beetle, you have a right for any other pests.'' 

 I think it is the particular province of a meeting of this kind 

 to discuss and see if there cannot be some measure provided 

 to get help in this direction. 



One word more in regard to this equipment. Instead of 

 having one or two large outfits, we had ten constructed, and 

 had them made to order after the pattern used by the gypsy 

 moth committee. Instead of iron fittings inside, we had 

 them made of brass and composition, so there was no rust- 

 ing. Instead of two wheels, we have them on low, four- 

 wheeled trucks, which are easier to handle than these tall, 

 ungainly wheels. We have ten of the pumps, and they are 

 doing very decent work. 



City Forester Gale (of Springfield). The essayist has 

 covered the elm-tree beetle question so thoroughly, I do not 

 think I can say anything more in its favor. But our expe- 

 rience has been that spraying thoroughly protected the 

 trees. If the trees are thoroughly sprayed in the early part 

 of the year, as soon as the foliage is established enough to 

 bear the treatment, fully developed, the trees will go through 

 the season without any damage from any leaf-eating insect. 

 As far as the trouble from private estates is concerned, that 

 is the great problem. We have in our city a good many 

 public-spirited people, who are willing to pay their share of 

 the cost and glad to have their shade trees sprayed. We 

 treat all those at the expense of the owners. Our earnings 

 this year have been, perhaps, a thousand dollars from that 

 source. But there are a great many whom we cannot reach, 

 from the fact that, as has been stated, we have no authority 

 for going in there, and of course have no right to expend 

 public money for that purpose. But there should be some- 

 thing done. The law of France that the speaker has re- 

 ferred to is just what we want. We want to have something 

 to compel the property owners who are indifferent and care 

 nothing for the general appearance to allow us to spray 

 their trees and rid their premises of injurious insects. I hope 



