224 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



may be, so long as these colonies remain the opportunity for 

 reinfestation is at hand, and from these colonies the cater- 

 pillars will spread annually to reinfest the district where the 

 moth has been destroyed. In the experience in the former 

 work by this committee it was found, for example, that so long 

 as there were large woodland colonies in the Saugus and 

 Lynn woods the city of Lynn remained infested in spots 

 from year to year. When these woods colonies were sup- 

 pressed the source of infestation was cut off and a large part 

 of Lynn was soon freed from the insect. 



A new colony at East Bridge water, Mass., was among the 

 unfortunate developments of the year, since aside from the 

 infestation at Providence, R. I., no findings of the moth south 

 of Boston had previously been made. The colony mentioned 

 was reported through the agency of Mr. A. M. Cobb, 

 Maiden, Mass. It is at present of small extent, occupying 

 a part of an apple orchard and probably a small section of 

 woodland near by. Lack of funds prevented us from doing 

 more than verify the finding of the moth at this place, 

 but we have no reason to think that the insect was brought 

 to this place by other than accidental means. 



At Lincoln, Mass., there existed at one time a large wood- 

 land colony which from its outlying position w^as considered 

 as an especially dangerous one. A great deal of very 

 thorough work was done here by the employees of this com- 

 mittee, and at the time the work was stopped it was believed 

 that the insect had been practically exterminated at this 

 point. A very thorough examination of this colony made 

 this fall failed to show any signs of the moth. At George- 

 town a similar colony was located, had about the same history 

 and received the same treatment as at Lincoln. Here again 

 a very thorough examination, made in December, 1903, failed 

 to reveal the presence of the moth. While it would be too 

 much to say positively that no moths exist in either locality, 

 it is apparent that the treatment given them has been highly 

 effective in suppressing if not exterminating them. 



The frequent demands from property owners for advice in 

 combating the moth have led us to include in this report a 

 brief summary of the most effective remedial measures. 



