446 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



ury until December, when, the leaves having fallen from the 

 trees, the webs of the brown-tail moth could be most readily 

 seen and destroyed. 



'False Alarms. 



The non-infested towns which have been visited because 

 of complaints received are : — 



No gypsy moths were found in any of these towns. 



Present Condition of the Infested Region. 



The appropriation made available for use against the 

 gypsy moth in 1898 being nearly the full sum recommended 

 by the Board, it was possible to go over a greater part of 

 the infested territory than in any previous year ; therefore 

 a more accurate report in detail of the condition of the in- 

 fested region at the end of the season can be given than ever 



before. 



In seven of the formerly infested outer towns no gypsy 

 moths were found in 1898. In five others, from one to 

 three small spots only were found infested, and in these no 

 eggs were found in the fall inspection ; in the other outer 

 towns comparatively few moths were found. There are five 

 towns, which may be termed the " central towns," that are 

 still generally infested ; but, as a whole, their condition 

 was greatly benefited by the work of 1898. 



The gypsy moth was found last year in one town outside, 

 but contiguous to, the region previously known to be in- 

 fested. The description of the condition of this town 

 (Manchester) is given in its proper place. 



The condition of the infested woodlands, the handling of 

 which has been regarded as the most serious part of the 

 problem of extermination, is now much better than at any 

 time since 1893. The woods of the Mystic valley are no 



