84 THE GYPSY MOTH. 



become more and more effectual, though utter extermination 

 might never have been possible. However, in 1898, ''in 

 seven of the formerly infested towns no gypsy moths were 

 found. In five others but one to three small spots were 

 found infested, and in these no eggs were found in th6 fall 

 inspection; in the other outer towns comparatively few 

 moths were found." (Forbush.) In 1898 the insect had 

 spread to but three towns outside those infested in 1890, 

 when the work began. The possibility of the practical con- 

 trol of the pest was, therefore, thoroughly established.^ 



The Present Condition. — Since 1900 the only effort 

 toward control has been by local towns and private parties, 

 with but partial success, owing to the lack of concerted 

 action. In 1904 the moth had increased so enormously that 

 it became evident that state aid was again necessary for its 

 control and the Massachusetts Legislature of 1905 made an 

 appropriation of $150,000 per annum for aiding the towns 

 in the work. Under this act a state superintendent, 

 appointed by the governor, Mr. A. H. Kirkland, formerly 

 assistant-entomologist to the Gypsy Moth Committee, has 

 general oversight of all the work. During the past season 

 inspections made by his assistants show that the moth has 

 spread in Massachusetts to some one hundred and twenty 

 towns, extending north to the New Hampshire line, west to 

 Chelmsford, Concord and Sherborn, and south and east to 

 Plymouth, extending over four times the area previously 

 infested. At the present time, in addition to the state 

 appropriation, private citizens of Massachusetts are spend- 

 ing about $125,000 to protect their property and the towns 

 and cities are spending some $75,000 to protect their street 

 trees. Notwithstanding this, during the last few years 

 while no state work was being done, acres of valuable pine 

 and soft-wood timber, and hundreds of stately shade trees 

 nave been killed by the caterpillers, while hundreds of acres 

 of woodland are now so badly infested that it is questionable 

 whether it will be profitable to attempt the control of the 

 insect upon them. 



