No. 4.] GYPSY MOTH. 225 



shown by our visit of inspection. The stripping of trees 

 was much in evidence, particularly in woodland colonies 

 that had been long neglected, and there were numerous dead 

 and dying trees to be seen, in deciduous varieties as Avell as 

 among the evergreens. 



For the facts and fio-ures which follow as to new infestation 

 discovered we are indebted to State Superintendent Kirk- 

 land. At the close of the work of this Board in 1900 there 

 were 359 square miles of territory infested by the gypsy 

 moth. The unchecked spread of the insect during 1900, 

 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904 and the first half of the current 

 year has resulted in the infestation at the present time of 

 2,083 square miles. To-day the insect is to be found, in 

 Massachusetts, from the New Hampshire line on the north 

 to Cape Cod on the south and Worcester County on the 

 west. One town in the latter county, Southborough, has 

 also been foimd to be infested during the present year. 

 The infestation south of Boston is light as compared with 

 that on the north of the city, being mainly in scattered col- 

 onies of recent establishment, but calls for no less vigorous 

 action on the part of State and local officials. 



It would be impossible to state the limits of the infesta- 

 tion by the brown-tail moth with any degree of accuracy. 

 It is known to be in many towns in Worcester County, and 

 is probably even farther west. It has extended well down 

 into Maine, and it is not likely that the extent of its infesta- 

 tion of that State is realized as yet. Its spread to the south 

 and southeast is comparatively slow, and the infestation in 

 those directions light, due in a laro-e measure to the south- 

 west winds usually prevailing during the flight season of 

 the insect. Experience has shown that this insect is much 

 more susceptible of control than is the gypsy moth, and that 

 an energetic campaign during the winter months will always 

 ensure its comparative rarity in any locality the following 

 season. The unpleasant nettling eftects produced upon the 

 skin have also a decided tendency towards making individual 

 property holders more anxious to secure its eradication from 

 their premises, and to this extent simplifies the official work 

 of suppression. 



