324 BOARD OF AGEICULTURP:, [Pul). Doc. 



Arsenate of barium, used in spraying somewhat more ex- 

 tensively than heretofore, proved less satisfactory than 

 arsenate of lead. This latter insecticide, when mixed with 

 sufficient glucose, maintained its superiority over all others. 

 The best results from spraying were obtained on under- 

 growth, shrubbery, hedges and low trees. 



With the object of devising some mechanical means for 

 reaching the upper limbs of tall trees, models have been 

 made, and one machine has been constructed and actually 

 tested in the field. While it is not difficult to invent such a 

 machine to do eftective work on level streets and lawns, no 

 device yet perfected can be used to advantage for spraying 

 tall trees, growing close together on our rugged hillsides. 

 Experiments looking to this end are still going on. Improve- 

 ments have also been made in hose, couplings, extension 

 poles, pumps and nozzles. A new set of spraying outfits is 

 now being constructed at the headquarters in Maiden. 



Work of the Fall and Winter. 

 On account of the rapid decrease of the appropriation, the 

 force was greatly reduced in August, and all work was sus- 

 pended for two weeks in September. On September 20 the 

 fall work was begun. Inspection and egg-killing were car- 

 ried on in all the known colonies in Saugus woods, and all 

 of those in the towns to the north and east of Saugus. When 

 this was finished the men employed in the eastern division 

 were concentrated in Saugus, where an inspection of the 

 residential portion of the town was begun, and this was 

 nearly finished when, the appropriation being nearly ex- 

 hausted, the men were discharged. In October a rapid in- 

 spection of Maiden, most of which could not be burlapped 

 during the summer, was begun, and the greater part of the 

 eggs there were destroyed. Some of the nearly exterminated 

 woodland colonies in the outskirts of the western part of the 

 infested region were thoroughly examined, and some inspec- 

 tion was made of territory outside the limits of known in- 

 festation. Nearly three-fourths of the men were then con- 

 centrated and employed in egg-killing in the Middlesex Fells 

 region. Early in December, the appropriation being nearly 

 expended, the work was stopped ; therefore, although 



