XXX BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Before leaving this subject, it may be well to say that the 

 brown-tail moth has by this inspection been found in a much 

 larger extent of territory than was expected. When the 

 creature was last summer identified as a nevv^ imported pest, 

 it was observed in large numbers in Somerville and Cam- 

 bridge, and a few were noticed in those parts of Medford, 

 Maiden and Everett nearest to the infested parts of Somer- 

 ville and Cambridge. The action of the Leo-islature was 

 taken at so late a date that it was impossible to procure ac- 

 tion by municipal authorities or private individuals before 

 the caterpillars had changed to the moth stage. The female 

 moth of this species, unlike those of the gypsy moth, moves 

 easily on the wing, and the air about the infested locality at 

 night was filled with immense numbers of the flying crea- 

 tures. Just at the time when they were most plentiful, July 

 13 and 14, a violent gale of wind from the south prevailed, 

 which it is believed scattered them through the cities and 

 towns above enumerated as infested. As a consequence, the 

 territory now infested is many times larger than was the case 

 at the time the fact of their presence was first noticed. 



This creature seems certain to prove a great pest, as it is 

 not only very destructive to all fruit trees and many shade 

 and forest trees, but is also very annoying to people, by rea- 

 son of the painful irritation caused by the caterpillars when 

 coming in contact with the skin. In some instances much 

 suffering has been caused to individuals in this way, and the 

 services of a physician have been required in treating the 

 patients. 



The plan of requiring municipalities and property owners 

 to destroy the pest is now on trial, and it is hoped that this 

 plan may be given a" thorough test, and that it may not fail 

 through a lack of interest of ofiicials and individuals. It is 

 very important that all our people in all parts of the State 

 should be on the lookout for evidences of the insect, and, 

 when it is found, the remedies recommended in the bulletin 

 should be thoroughly applied. 



Agricultural College. 

 The report of the examining committee of the Agricultural 

 College will be found printed on pages 184-192 of this 



