No. 4.] REPORT OF STATE FORESTER. 385 



white stripe running the entire length of its back, and on each 

 side may be seen a row of blue spots. Soon after reaching 

 maturity the caterpillars leave the tree, and finding suitable 

 shelter, transform to the pupa stage. There is but one genera- 

 tion of this insect a year. 



The tent caterpillar is not difficult to control, and may be 

 easily suppressed by spraying the trees with arsenate of lead, 

 using 4 or 5 pounds to 50 gallons of water. Other methods are 

 employed to destroy the caterpillars, such as burning them 

 with a torch when they have collected on the nest during cool 

 or cloudy weather. Care should be exercised in the use of a 

 burning torch, however, as the tree may be seriously injured 

 by burning the branches. 



Another insect found in Massachusetts closely related to the 

 apple tree tent caterpillar is the forest tent caterpillar. This 

 caterpillar may be distinguished from the ordinary tent cater- 

 pillar described above by the fact that it has a pale blue head, 

 and instead of the white stripe which marks the other species 

 its back shows a row of white diamond-shaped spots. Its life- 

 history is very similar to that of the common tent caterpillar, 

 although it does "not build a nest of any kind. As its name 

 indicates, this insect is essentially a forest pest, although it 

 attacks both shade and orchard trees. 



Fortunately, it is held in check by natural enemies in the 

 form of parasites and diseases, but if serious outbreaks occur 

 the insect may be controlled by spraying with arsenate of lead, 

 as in the case of other leaf-eating insects. 



Benefits to come from Birds. 

 The conservation of bird life is a worthy problem, and our 

 ornithologists and naturalists generally are rightfully solicitous 

 for their propagation and protection. Occasionally a person 

 gets it into his mind that this department disregards bird 

 life in our operations. Nothing could be a greater mistake. 

 When the eflFect of arsenical spraying and bird life was aired 

 in the press a few years since, the State Forester took the mat- 

 ter up with Mr. Forbush, the State Ornithologist, and some 

 definite co-operative experiments were carried on in which 

 Mr. Forbush exonerated the spraying. 



