xxviii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pul). Doc. 



vido for inspection and treatment by national authority 

 of all trees, shrubs and plants imported into the country, 

 and also of all such articles transported from one State to 

 another. The danger is sufficiently great to warrant such 

 action, and it is hoped that the present congress may enact 

 the necessary legislation. 



Browx-tail Moth. 



An example of accidental importation of a new and dan- 

 gerous insect pest may be seen in the case of the brown-tail 

 moth, brought to public notice during the past season in 

 Somerville. This new pest was undoubtedly brought from 

 Europe on imported shrubs. 



The last Legislature passed a law requiring officers of 

 municipalities and owners and managers of estates found 

 infested with the brown-tail moth to take immediate steps for 

 its extinction and to prevent its spread. The law also makes 

 it the duty of the Board of Agriculture " to cause inspections 

 to be made upon the receipt of notice from local authorities, 

 and also whenever the Board has reason to suspect the pres- 

 ence of this pest in any city or town, and to furnish the local 

 authorities an ample supply of printed directions as to the 

 best methods for its confinement and extinction." 



No appropriation was made from which to defray the ex- 

 pense of performing the duties imposed. In the emergency 

 the Hatch Experiment Station issued a bulletin of informa- 

 tion on the new pest, which contained directions for destroy- 

 ing it, and, on payment of one hundred dollars from our 

 appropriation for dissemination of useful information in 

 agriculture, furnished a supply to be used as " printed direc- 

 tions." In the attempt to fulfil the duty of "inspection" 

 placed upon the Board of Agriculture by the law, the lack of 

 money to pay the bills has prevented a complete compliance 

 with the requirements ; but, on the advice of the Attorney- 

 General, as much work in this direction as was possible under 

 the circumstances has been done. As the habits of the in- 

 sect were learned, it was found that reliable inspection at the 

 minimum cost could not be accomplished until the leaves had 

 fallen. The young caterpillars pass the winter in small tents 

 or nests, which are constructed near the tips of the branches 



