THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. 213 



combat them, with the result that many towns which did 

 good work in cleaning their trees of the webs a year ago 

 must now do a larger amount of work on account of the neg- 

 lect of neighboring towns. 



Work Done hy the Towns in 1905-'06. 



In general there was but little complaint from annoyance 

 by the brown-tail caterpillars in the early summer. This 

 was due to the excellent work done by most of the towns and 

 cities in destroying the winter webs. To determine just 

 what had been done to combat the pest by the cities and 

 towns of the state a circular letter was sent to the mayors 

 and selectmen, from practically all of whom replies have 

 been received, asking the following questions : 



(1) What sum was appropriated for fighting the brown- 

 tail moth in your town in 1906 ? 



(2) How was this to be spent? 



(3) What sum has been expended ? 



(4) Were the trees thoroughly cleaned of winter nests? 



(5) Have the moths appeared during mid- July in larger 

 numbers than in previous years, if so to what extent ? 



(6) Would you favor state legislation requiring prop- 

 •ertv owners to remove the winter nests of the brown-tail 

 moths from their trees, providing the cost of the work would 

 not exceed one half of one per cent, the taxable valuation 

 •of the property and requiring the towns to see that this is 

 -done ? This is the arrangement under which Massachusetts 

 is now working and securing good results. 



The replies of these towns which made any appropriation 

 are summarized in the following" table : 



