Ko. 4.] THE GYPSY MOTH. 291 



Why the Moth has not yet been exterminated. 



♦ 

 First. It had been established here for over twenty 



years ; had spread over thirty townships, and had obtained 



a strong foothold before any organized attempt was made to 



check it. Tliese facts alone rendered its extermination, 



even under the most favorable circumstances, a matter of 



several years' time. 



Second. As the extent of its dissemination was not at 

 first accurately determined, the appropriation made by the 

 Legislature proved utterly inadequate. 



The appropriations of 1890 and 1891 were made with the 

 understanding that the moth had been found in a few towns 

 only and was confined to cultivated lands. Though this 

 understanding was leased on the most reliable information 

 that could then be obtained, later search by the agents of 

 the Board of Agriculture proved that the moth had invaded 

 many towns, and in several of them had penetrated the 

 forested lands. 



Third. As the difficulty of extermination has not been 

 and is not now generally appreciated, the expense of the 

 undertaking has been underestimated and the appropriation 

 of 1893 was insufiicient. 



The Difficulty and Expense of Extermination. 



To appreciate the difficulties and uncertainties connected 

 with an attempt to exterminate an imported insect, it must 

 be borne in mind that insects when transported to a new 

 country frequently change their habits to such an extent 

 that new methods of dealing with them must be devised ; 

 also, that very little accurate information of the life history 

 and habits of the gypsy moth in this country had been re- 

 corded. 



It was impossible at first to secure experienced men for 

 the work. It was necessary to select and train the number 

 of men required. And although the advice of some of the 

 most distinguished entomologists of this country was sought, 

 the methods recommended by them as being effectual with 

 native insects proved inadequate for the extermination of 

 the gypsy moth. 



