No. 4.] GYPSY MOTH. 239 



its protest ; was carried on by it to the best of its ability, 

 and relinquished on the failure of the General Court to make 

 appropriations, with forebodings as to the ultimate result to 

 the fruit, forest and shade trees of the Commonwealth, but 

 not without a sense of relief at the cessation of a thankless 

 and unpleasant task. During the continuance of the work 

 the members of the connnittee having it in charge gave it 

 from twenty to fifty days each of their time each year, with- 

 out compensation other than their travelling and necessary 

 expenses. We submit that this is too much for the Com- 

 monwealth to expect of its unpaid servants, and the problem 

 is now a greater one than before the lapse of the work. 

 The method of appointment and term of service of such a 

 commission, together with the compensation of its members, 

 must be left to legislation ; but your committee is convinced 

 of the entire necessity of this action in some form. 



We would earnestly advise that the municipalities and 

 citizens now endeavoring to check the progress of the moth 

 continue in their work. Their efibrts will be an aid in case 

 of future appropriations, and in failure of such action will in 

 some degree mitigate the severity of the pest during the 

 coming summer. 



Respectfully submitted, 



AUGUSTUS PRATT. 

 JOHN M. DANFORTH. 

 W. C. JEWETT. 

 HENRY H. LEACH. 

 WALTER D. ROSS. 

 J. LEWIS ELLSWORTH. 



