226 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The gypsy moth is known to be in New Hampshire and 

 Rhode Island, as well as in Massachusetts ; and, from the 

 fact that the infestation extends to the Maine line, there is 

 a strong probability that it will be discovered to be in that 

 State also. With its presence in three States, and possibly 

 in four, the question has ceased to be one for Massachusetts 

 alone, and has developed into what may fairly be said to be 

 a national question. The reluctance of the national govern- 

 ment to take up the work is but natural ; but when a great 

 national menace to the agricultural interests of the country 

 appears, it is none the less the duty of that government to 

 interfere. The national government does not hesitate to 

 take an active hand in the suppression of foot and mouth 

 disease when it appears among the cattle of any section, and 

 much praiseworthy work has been done by it in stamping out 

 this and other diseases. It may ])e true that the government 

 has never made a direct appropriation for the destruction of 

 any insect ; but a grave crisis confronts us, requiring the 

 creation of new precedents, if necessary. The gypsy moth 

 is slow in its spread ; but if left to itself, or limited only by 

 the action of officials bounded by municipal and State lines, 

 it is inevitable that in the course of time it will make its 

 way into all the States and Territories. With such exten- 

 sion of infestation goes the inevitable destruction of our 

 orchards and forests. Animal diseases may run themselves 

 out ; the gypsy moth has shown that on this continent its 

 natural control can only be brought about by the establish- 

 ment of the balance of nature for which centuries are re- 

 quired. It seems to your committee that the time has come 

 for the national government to take up this work, either in- 

 dependently or in conjunction with the State authorities, and 

 no effort will be spared in that direction during the coming 

 winter. 



At the annual meetino; of the National Association of 

 Farmers' Institute Workers, held at Washington, D. C, 

 Nov. 9-11, 1905, a resolution was introduced by your sec- 

 retary, at the request of gentlemen from other States, call- 

 ing on the national government to make appropriation and 

 take an active part in the work against the gypsy moth. 



