238 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



one, while the gypsy moth feeds on practically all kinds of 

 vegetation . Your secretary has already communicated with 

 the agricultural departments of other New England States 

 and New York, and all have expressed themselves as ready 

 to join with Massachusetts in urging the necessity for appro- 

 priation upon Congress. We would recommend that the 

 State Board of Agriculture urge upon our Senators and 

 Representatives in Congress the necessity for this appro- 

 priation, and the importance of earnest work to secure it. 

 We would further recommend that the General Court memo- 

 rialize Congress in aid of an appropriation for this work. 



Massachusetts cannot expect, however, that the national 

 government will come to her aid until she has shown a dis- 

 position to take up the fight and at least keep the insect in 

 subjection. For that purpose we recommend that a large 

 appropriation be made, extending over a number of years, 

 so that the work may not be stopped at any time for lack of 

 funds, with a maximum and minimum amount to be ex- 

 pended in any one year, work to be done against the insect 

 at all seasons and in all forms. At present, as Professor 

 Marlatt has pointed out in his report on the condition of the 

 gypsy moth territory, almost if not (|uite as much money is 

 being expended yearly by municipalities and individuals as 

 was expended in the years when the State made its largest 

 appropriations. We may well ask, to what end? Excellent 

 as much of this work is, strive as public-spirited citizens 

 and progressive municipalities may to rid themselves of the 

 moth, what is the result? Simply reinfestation from sur- 

 rounding estates or towns, and the whole weary work to be 

 gone over again, at perhaps added expense. Your com- 

 mittee believes that nothing of permanent value will be 

 accomplished until the work is again in the hands of some 

 central authority, either State or national, or both in co- 

 operation. 



In the opinion of this connnittee, the time has come when 

 this work should be placed in the hands of a paid commis- 

 sion, the members of which can devote their entire time to 

 the work . This work was placed upon the Board of Agri- 

 culture in 1891 without its solicitation, — indeed, against 



