498 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The combating of moths in shade trees, orchards and parks 

 is a different problem from their control in wild woodland. In 

 the first case the chief value of the trees is in their beauty or 

 fruit-producing capacity. Such trees are much more valuable 

 than trees which are allowed to grow chiefly for the wood they 

 will produce when cut, as is the case with forest trees. There- 

 fore, it is possible to use much more expensive methods in con- 

 trolling moth infestations on the valuable shade trees than in 

 the relatively valueless forest trees. That is the reason why the 

 forestry methods of control, which call for the cutting of indi- 

 vidual trees rather than the saving of them, were established. 

 Undoubtedly it would be possible to save most of our forest 

 trees by using shade-tree methods, — by spraying, etc., — but 

 the trees thus saved would not be worth the cost, and there is 

 not enough money to do it. It would cost milHons of dollars 

 a year. 



In Europe, wdiere these moths have existed from time im- 

 memorial, less than 5 per cent, of the forest growth is of oak. 

 In eastern Massachusetts fully 50 per cent, is of oak. We must 

 get approximately the European proportion in this country 

 before we can expect the natural agencies of parasites, disease 

 and birds to control the moths as they do in Europe. If left 

 alone the moths will do this by themselves and kill off most of 

 the oak, leaving the resistant species to grow up in its stead. 

 By cutting the oak we can hasten the process and prevent the 

 tremendous economic waste that would follow the killing of 

 the oak. We can also prevent the desolation and fire risk which 

 would accompany the killing. We know this is true, for we 

 already have several thousands of acres of dead oak in the 

 State. Proper cuttings made before the infestation becomes too 

 serious will materially check moth spread. Taken after serious 

 eating the cutting will merely lessen the resulting loss and 

 hasten the return of the land to forest conditions. 



These moth thinnings are being carried on directly by the 

 owners either in co-operation with the State or by themselves, 

 rather than through the agency of the town authorities, as is 

 the case of most of the other moth work. However, in many 

 towns the local men are giving splendid aid in this work. Most 

 of the towns have a sufficient financial burden in taking care 



