290 BOARD OF AGRICrLTrRE. [Pub. Doc. 



possible future we have in mind, even for the old historic Cape Cod 

 country, I know it would interest you. While the great fishing industries 

 of old Gloucester, Nantucket and New Bedford are not as thriving as in 

 earlier times, nevertheless, with the guidance of modern science to water 

 farming, we have great promise of the restoration of these industries that 

 will go far toward feeding the nation in the future. 



Speaking of fishing and game, forestry, natural history and Appalachian 

 clubs, I am frank to say that I believe there are no people on earth who 

 are more in love with nature herself, heart and soul, than our Massachu- 

 setts people. We have organizations galore, and they are not only or- 

 ganized, but bubbling full of real activity, and are accomplishing things. 

 Were you the State Forester of Massachusetts, I can guarantee that you 

 could spend j'^our whole time simply lecturing on conservation or forestry, 

 as the demands are so great and the work so popular. 



Insect Depredations. 



In the development of a new nation it invariably follows that conditions 

 are constantly changing, and as intercourse with other nations progresses, 

 through trade and business relations, the evils and blessings are shared. 

 While we are greatly indebted to the various countries of the world for 

 many an introduction, nevertheless now and then we unfortunately get 

 an insect, or fungous development, which proves extremely disastrous. 



It would not be fair to Massachusetts in reporting on her conservation 

 policies did I not mention the great fight that the State has waged for 

 years against the gypsy and brown-tail moths. These two insects are 

 indigenous to Europe, and while they have their natural enemies and are 

 under subjection there, upon reaching this country they find an open 

 field, and, with no enemies, become a veritable pest. 



Both species are destroyers of trees. The brown-tail moth devours the 

 leaves of the deciduous or hardwood trees onl}', while the gypsy moth 

 is no respecter of vegetation, and will defoliate evergreens as well, if food 

 is scarce, although it, too, prefers the deciduous trees. The brown-tail 

 moths, besides being tree destroyers, give off hairs from the larva and moth 

 which, when brought in contact with the skin of human beings, produce 

 a rash that is extremely irritating. Of the two insects the gypsy moth is 

 generally considered the worse. The facts that when the white pine or 

 other evergreens are once stripped they die outright, and that the pine in 

 particular is one of our most valuable species, both from the economic 

 and esthetic standpoint, make their protection from the gypsy moth 

 important. 



I will not take time to give j^ou the life histories of these insects, for 

 should any one be interested this information can be had by apph'ing to 

 the State Forester, Boston, Mass. We have illustrated matter in natural 

 colors, showing these insects. 



Practically all of our trees in the residential sections of cities and towns 

 in the eastern part of the State are sprayed annually. Our main traveled 



