220 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



REPORT OF COMMITTER ON GYPSY MOTH, INSECTS 



AND BIRDS.* 



[Read aud adopted at the Annual Meeting, Jan. 12, 1904.] 



To the Massachusells Stale Board of Agriculture. 



The committee on the gypsy moth, insects and birds pre- 

 sents herewith its report for the year 1903. As in recent 

 years, the activities of the committee have been directed 

 mainly to keeping in touch with the increase and depreda- 

 tions of the gypsy moth, and in disseminating information 

 concerning the best means for fighting the pest. Several 

 inspections of the infested district have been made from time 

 to time, particular attention being given to certain localities 

 where large colonies formerly existed, and from which it was 

 believed the pest had been exterminated at the time when 

 active work against the moth was stopped. The natural 

 fecundity of the insect being large, it is apparent that by this 

 date any surviving moths left in these colonies would have 

 multiplied to a noticeable degree. We are glad to state that 

 in none of these colonies, which are described more in 

 detail in another place, were any signs of the moth found. 



The year 1903 was especially unfavorable to insect increase. 

 Doubtless the long drought in May and June had an impor- 

 tant part in checking insect development. Certainly the 

 season was notable, taking the State as a whole, for the 

 scarcity of insects in injurious numbers. The canker worm 

 was injurious only in a few localities ; the tent caterpillar was 

 remarkably scarce ; the elm leaf beetle surprised tree lovers 

 by its gratifying diminution in numbers ; even that omni- 

 present denizen of the potato patch, the potato bug, appeared 

 with decimated ranks. In the face of adverse conditions, 



* House Document No. 188, 1904. 



