RECENT TROUBLES WITH OUR FOREST TREES 59 



brought to us usually on imported stock. Steps have been taken 

 to regulate future importation through careful inspections and 

 powers of restriction, but this is of little use in overcoming and 

 neutralizing the depredations of those already established. It is 

 these insects and diseases that are causing us a great amount of 

 trouble. To cope with these unwelcome guests has proven in many 

 cases extremely troublesome and expensive. 



The writer has had much experience with forest depredations 

 and the results secured through a careful study of utilization as a 

 practical aid in the solution of a few of our forest troubles in Massa- 

 chusetts seem very encouraging. This probably explains why the 

 secretary of this society has asked the -vvTiter to discuss at this 

 time recent troubles with our forest trees. I shall take up first 

 the latest developments in the work of suppression of the gypsy 

 and brown-tail moths in Massachusetts, and, second, the present 

 status of the chestnut blight and the blister rust diseases of more 

 recent years, and allude more briefly to other troubles. 



In order to succeed in aiding the woodland owner in our state in 

 his fight against the invasion of his forest growth by pests, a very 

 careful and complete survey of the whole question of markets, 

 materials, labor costs, cost of teaming, transportation charges, 

 milling expenses, supervision, etc., was made in order to utilize all 

 dormant capital in forests where possible, which otherwise would be 

 almost a total loss. This study has proved worth the effort as not 

 only have we been able to make the sale of forest products self- 

 supporting, but in many cases a substantial net revenue has been 

 secured. 



For a number of years the gypsy and brown-tail moth work was 

 confined largely to shade-trees and orchards, and the work of com- 

 bating and suppressing these insects was directed towards over- 

 coming the great loss following their ravages measured largeh^ in 

 aesthetic values. 



As was inevitable, although the very best brains of the nation, 

 assisted by experts from abroad, were focused upon the suppression 

 of these insects, the spread continued throughout the forests of the 

 eastern part of the state. As these insects became intrenched in 

 our woodlands, which are composed of a great variety ranging from 

 valueless scrub and brush growth to superior stands, the same 



