448 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



egg-clusters were taken in the fall of 1898. In two wood- 

 land colonies on the south side of the town near Arlington 

 Heights quite a large number of caterpillars was taken. 

 These colonies have been thoroughly looked to, and should 

 be in excellent condition in 1899. A few single cater- 

 pillars were picked up here and there under the burlap 

 through the village and along the main streets and avenues. 

 Most of these had evidently been brought in from Medford. 

 Seven men were able to do all the work necessary in Arling- 

 ton during: the summer of 1898, where from a dozen to 

 thirty were formerly employed. Considerable cutting away 

 of underbrush is necessary in some of the infested wood- 

 land, to ensure extermination there ; otherwise, little re- 

 mains to be done in the town except to follow up by bur- 

 lapping and inspection the good work already accomplished. 



Belmont. 

 Belmont is not believed to be now anywhere badly in- 

 fested ; but there are several colonies where the underbrush 

 has not been cut, and where the moths are believed to have 

 spread. Furthermore, no thorough inspection of the whole 

 town, including the woodland, has recently taken place. 

 The work of clearing out the underbrush in infested locali- 

 ties was begun in November, and a thorough examination 

 of the town was to have begun about December 1. The 

 snow which fell in the great storm of November 26 (much 

 of which has since remained on the ground) has prevented 

 the completion of this work. It is impossible, therefore, 

 to give an accurate report of the condition of the town at 

 this time. It is well known that many of the colonies found 

 in the early years of the work have been exterminated, as 

 nothing has been found in them for several years. All the 

 known colonies were burlapped and well attended through 

 the summer. The number of larvae found in 1898 was 

 probably less than the number found in 1897, but in some 

 cases they were more widely scattered. All the colonies 

 now appear in good condition. It is now necessary to clear 

 up the underbrush in the woodland, cut and burn brush 

 along- stone walls, cover the holes in trees in infested locali- 

 ties, as well as give the entire town a thorough inspection. 



