No. 4.] THE GYPSY MOTH. 317 



Report of the Entomologist. 



To the Committee on the Oypsy Moth. 



Gentlemen : — The most important question arising in 

 connection with the work on the gypsy moth is whether it is 

 possible to exterminate the pest. If this can be done, there 

 is no question but that it is the wisest policy to continue the 

 work till the extermination of this insect is accomplished. 

 I have made frequent and careful examinations of the work 

 from the beginning, and have seen colony after colony ab- 

 solutely exterminated, some of them in localities where the 

 difficulties in the way appeared to be insurmountable and as 

 great as could be found anywhere, and yet the insect was 

 completely exterminated by the force under the oversight of 

 the field director. Not only have single colonies been ex- 

 terminated, but entire towns have been cleared and for several 

 years no gypsy moths have been found in them. 



Several years ago all the leading economic entomologists 

 of the country were invited to inspect the work of extermina- 

 tion and report on the same. Some of these gentlemen before 

 visiting the territory expressed the opinion that this insect 

 could not be exterminated ; but, having made a careful study 

 of the territory, the apparatus and the methods of work, 

 they all became thoroughly convinced that extermination is 

 possible, provided sufficient money be appropriated for the 

 purpose. The reports of these gentlemen have been pub- 

 lished in previous gypsy moth reports. Last winter the 

 members of the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture 

 employed Prof. J. B. Smith of Rutgers College as an expert 

 to investigate the work and make a written report to them. 

 Professor Smith, who is undoubtedly one of the very highest 

 authorities on economic entomology, made a very careful 

 study of the infested territory, the methods of work, etc., 

 spending nearly a week in his investigations, and came to 



